MySQL Cookbook

Beginning PHP 5 and MySQL: From Novice to Professional

High Performance MySQL

MySQL (3rd Edition) (Developer's Library)

MySQL Tutorial

Mysql And Msql

The Definitive Guide to MySQL 5, Third Edition (Definitive Guide)

Format: Paperback
Author: Michael Kofler
ReleaseDate: 23 September, 2005
Publisher: Apress
Rating:

Great Resource!
Without it, I would never have unlocked the real power of MySQL 5. This book opened up new database opportunities for me.

perfect guide for database programmers
NET), this book first helped me to use MySQL databases in my VB applications; later I had to make MySQL data available on the web and got used to PHP; again, Kofler's book provided excellent guideance in the various ways of interaction (mysql/mysqli) between PHP and MySQL

in contrast to some other MySQL titles I had a look at, Kofler does not focus entirely on MySQL itself; he explains MySQL in context with the programming languages it is mostly used with

(the book also covers Perl, Java and C; as I haven't used this languages yet, I cannot say whether these chapters are as good as those on PHP, VB and . coming from the Visual Basic world (VB6, VB.NET)
.

Not what I expected or needed, unfortunately
I thought Tutorial was a great, concise (267 pages including index) MySQL overview. I read and reviewed MySQL Press' MySQL Tutorial by Luke Welling and Laura Thomson two years ago. I hoped The Definitive Guide to MySQL 5, 3rd Ed (DG, 748 pages) would extend my understanding of MySQL beyond the coverage in the Tutorial. Unfortunately, I found the Tutorial did a better job addressing important information than the DG. While there is some good information in the DG, I recommend staying with books published by MySQL Press.

The biggest problem with the DG stems from this statement on p xxvii: "No previous knowledge of SQL or database design is assumed. " The first seven chapters, however, frequently direct confused newbies to chapters 8-10, where database design and SQL syntax is introduced. An author who recognizes that he is losing readers should take a hard look at the organization of his book.

DG is also far from a "definitive guide. " I wanted to learn more about JOIN statements, but only 3 confusing pages (pp 197-9) cover JOINS -- compared to 7 in the much shorter Tutorial. Worse, here is how the author "introduces" the LEFT JOIN and ON statements: "One variant consists in creating a table list with LEFT JOIN and then forming the linking connection with ON. " How is anyone (especially newbies) supposed to consider that informative?

I was also interested in learning about MERGE tables, since I use them in an open source project. DG has nothing to say on the subject, although the Tutorial gives at least 2 pages. The DG also makes the unfortunate decision to omit the semicolon from the end of all MySQL commands. Sure, they may not be in the SQL standard, but every single other MySQL book I've seen uses them. That is especially important for new MySQL users.

The DG also spent far too much time on areas I felt were best addressed elsewhere. I really don't care to learn how to install Apache, PHP, and Perl on various platforms. I also didn't need to read so much about integration with PHP. Other books with MySQL and PHP in the title are the right place to discuss that subject. I admit I skipped reading Part IV, on programming interfaces, along with ch 12 (GIS) and the SQL and API references (ch 21, 23).

On the positive side, I had not read anything on stored procedures or triggers before (ch 13). I also picked up some tricks on security and logging from chs 11 and 14. I learned of some new administration tools in ch 5. I still wish the author had spent more time addressing SQL syntax and explaining what it meant, and less on peripheral issues. Performance and tuning are two subjects outside of core SQL syntax that should be in the book but are not discussed thoroughly. I should note that I thought the translator for DG did a great job. I didn't notice any real rough spots that may have been the result of poor translation.

If the fourth edition of the DG receives a major overhaul, you might consider buying it. I am astounded by the number of positive reviews for this and previous editions, since I believe the DG does not address enough of the subjects that really matter to MySQL administrators.

Apress does publish many outstanding books, such as Running IPv6 or several titles on Python. I recommend checking out those works.