SQL Cookbook (Cookbooks (O'Reilly))

Sams Teach Yourself SQL in 10 Minutes, Third Edition

SQL Tuning

Databases

Learning SQL

Format: Paperback
Author: Alan Beaulieu
ReleaseDate: 22 August, 2005
Publisher: O'Reilly Media
Rating:

Wish all beginner books were like this
What more could one ask for?
I learned basic to somewhat intermediate SQL very quickly with the help of this book. This book is easy to read, easy to follow and has practice problems at the end of every chapter with the answers in the back. I highly recommend it!.

Very helpful, very simple, very direct
I had some prior knowledge of SQL, but almost exclusively in writing SELECT statements. I bought "Learning SQL" in order to begin to prepare myself for the Microsoft Certification Exam for SQL Server 2005. "Learning SQL" broadened my knowledge with its simple, easy to follow chapters. All of the important concepts are explained, and the examples given are very clear and intuitive.

The best part about this book is that it also introduced me to MySQL. The command-line interface was at first daunting, but then focused me on the code and syntax and nothing else. The sample code available for free online also provides an excellent companion for this book, as the hands-on approach is undoubtedly the best way to cement the concepts. The exercises at the end of the chapters gave me confidence and assurance.

Overall, "Learning SQL" is a terrific book for people looking to bridge the gap to understanding SQL beyond clumsy SELECT statements to a much more comprehensive knowledge.

Great book for the determined and intermediate level SQL learner
However, for someone who just started the SQL journey, this is not a good place to start. To be fair to this book, it is excellent for someone who attempted to work with SQL and understands some very basic concepts.

The beginning is not written very clearly in explaining why things are done the way they are and offer very little visual on how to set up the mySQL command client or whichever SQL client the reader will be using as a learning tool. I imagine, someone without experience in reading these types of texts or SQL in general, it is confusing to start.

The connectivity of examples and exercises is excellent for the intermediate reader who wishes to pursue further than just knowing how to use the SELECT function.