Simply SQL (Paperback)

by Rudy Limeback (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Packed with examples, Simply SQL is a step-by-step introduction to learning SQL. You'll discover how easy it is to use SQL to interact with best-practice, robust databases. Rather than bore you with theory, it focuses on the practical use of SQL with common databases and uses plenty of diagrams, easy-to-read text, and examples to help make learning SQL easy and fun.

• Step through the basic SQL syntax
• Learn how to use best practices in database design
• Master advanced syntax like inner joins, groups, and subqueries
• Understand the SQL datatypes
• And much more...

About the Author
Rudy Limeback is a semi-retired SQL Consultant living in Toronto, Canada. His SQL experience spans more than 20 years, and includes working with DB2, SQL Server, Access, Oracle, and MySQL.

He is an avid participant in discussion forums, primarily at SitePoint (http://sitepoint.com/forums/). His two Web sites are http://r937.com/ for SQL and http://rudy.ca/ for personal stuff. When not glued to his computer, Rudy enjoys playing touch football and frisbee golf.

Product Details

• Paperback: 318 pages
• Publisher: SitePoint; Pap/Onl edition (December 28, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0980455251
• ISBN-13: 978-0980455250
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.9 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #697,714 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Good Basic Intro to SQL Statement Writing, March 21, 2009

By	John Jacobson (Riverside CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Simply SQL is a basic introduction of writing SQL statements. It covers the elements of statement development, covers the keywords, and also includes a brief discussion of database design.

The writing is clear and concise, many of the "gotchas" of statement writing are covered. Some of the fine points of choices re data types are described.

This is a good introduction to the subject.

5.0 out of 5 stars A pick for any library catering to computer programmers and SQL designers, June 16, 2009

By	Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

Teach yourself SQL the easy way, with a step-by-step guide to writing it. From the best SQL codes to discussions of standard syntax, database design best practices, and advanced operations, SIMPLY SQL is one of the best guides available for programmers new to the language and is a pick for any library catering to computer programmers and SQL designers.

4.0 out of 5 stars Good book with clear info that does well at maintaining focus on its intended audience, May 30, 2009

By	M. Helmke - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I found this book easy to read and understand. I liked that the code focus is on using ANSI standard SQL as this gives knowledge that will work across platforms on multiple database systems from free options like MySQL to common proprietary ones like Oracle and SQL Server. The examples are clear and well written and the figures are wonderful (as is usual in sitepoint products).

This book is not intended for people who wish to learn to become database administrators. It was written for web developers who want to have a better understanding of the basics of SQL. This is an important fact. If you fit this role, this book is excellent. If you want to go deeper, O'Reilly's Learning SQL is better.

I appreciated the book's focus on adhering to ANSI standards while noting how different databases from various vendors may require slight adjustments in coding. This book is suitable for people using any of the databases mentioned in the first paragraph and others.

The coding style was easy to read, but there were some odd quirks that I didn't like. For example, as noted by the author himself, he likes to put commas at the beginning of lines when making lists. This is the only place I have ever seen that done. Now, this isn't technically wrong, but it is unusual. I would have preferred to see code examples written with strict adherence to commonly accepted standards as this makes the task of reading other people's code or writing good and readable code easier. However, I guess doing it this way can also be seen as a benefit as it will remind the reader that there is more than one way to do things, and that in the real world he will be sure to encounter non-standard methods and have to adapt. Honestly, that is my only big complaint about the book, and it isn't a deal breaker.

If you are part of the intended audience for the book and are interested in learning SQL, this book should serve you quite well.