Product Description

Learn SQL the fun and easy way – no programming experience needed!

SQL For Dummies, 7th Edition, shows programmers and web developers how to use SQL to build relational databases and get valuable information from them. This book covers the core features of the SQL language. Topics covered include how to use SQL to structure a DBMS and implement a database design; secure a database; and retrieve information from a database. This edition will be revised to reflect the new enhancements of SQL/XML:2008.

The latest update of the perennial bestselling SQL For Dummies, which has sold more than 210,000 units in six editions.

SQL is the most popular database language in the world

Covers creating, accessing, manipulating, maintaining, and storing information in relational database management systems (DBMS) such as Access, Oracle, SQL Server, and MySQL.

Includes new content on using SQL with XML to power data-driven web sites and using SQL with Access 2010

Whether you're daunted by database development or a system admin star, SQL For Dummies, 7th Dummies will have you working your web site in no time at all.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #38907 in Books
• Published on: 2010-02-02
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Dimensions: 1.10" h x 7.30" w x 9.00" l, 1.45 pounds
• Binding: Paperback
• 456 pages

Amazon.com Review
This is the rare case of a book that can take you from a beginner to an advanced-intermediate level. Like many of the books in IDG's Dummies series, this volume begins with a definition ("What is SQL?") and ends with "The Part of Tens," a collection of tips in a top ten list form. Taylor writes in a breezy, entertaining style that SQL novices will find inviting. One caveat: The examples are given in Borland's Delphi, a rapid application development (RAD) tool. Some sections show several screen shots from Delphi and it may be difficult to follow along in these sections if you don't have the program in front of you. As with other Dummies books, SQL for Dummies is entertaining to read although the nonstop jokes may distract some readers from the technical content.

From the Back Cover

Demystify database management systems with this fun and friendly guide to SQL

The secret is SQL, and once you get the hang of that, you can build relational databases and get valuable information into and out of them with ease. Here's how to structure a database management system with SQL, implement the design, protect your data, access and work with it, maintain your database, and much more, using the newest version of SQL.

• Down to data basics — learn what a relational database is and what goes into designing a good one

• SQL secrets revealed — get an overview of SQL fundamentals and actually build a database

• Data in, data out — find out how to add, retrieve, display, delete, or change data in your database

• What's your query? — discover how to find what you need using different queries

• Guarding your stuff — protect your data from theft, accidental or malicious corruption, and loss due to equipment failure

• Getting SQL to play nice — use Open DataBase Connectivity (ODBC) to solve the problems of combining SQL with other languages

• XML is your friend — communicate with other applications using XML with SQL

• Eliminating errors — understand what SQL is trying to tell you when something goes wrong

Open the book and find:

• Essential database design considerations

• How a database management system differs from a database

• What SQL is and isn't

• Different types of data

• Ten common database blunders

• How to use values, value expressions, and relational operators

• Tips on using XML data with SQL

• Common threats to your data

Learn to:

• Create relational databases with powerful data retrieval capacity

• Use SQL with XML and Access® 2010

• Structure a database management system and implement database design

• Work with all the core SQL features

About the Author

Allen G. Taylor is a nationally known lecturer and educator in the field of database development. A 30-year veteran of the computer industry, he has written more than 20 books. Through the magic of the Internet, Allen teaches computer architecture both at Portland State University and in Shanghai.

Customer Reviews

Most helpful customer reviews

35 of 38 people found the following review helpful.
Excellent Starting Point
By Elderbear
The last time I worked with databases, my entire computer (RAM + mass storage) had less than one MEGAbyte of memory. No hard disk, just two 360 kB floppy disk drives and 128K of RAM. I just got saddled with a data-mining project that will process tens of gigabytes of data in a networked environment. My analysis tools can use SQL to access the data. This book was the first thing I insisted on. (Kind of embarassing for a senior person to be seen carrying a thick yellow and black book with the word "DUMMIES" on it ...)

This has proven to be an excellent starting point. I know plenty about computers and programming. I vaguely remember the essentials of relational databases (for those who don't, basic information is in the book, it should be enough to get started, even if you are absolutely ignorant!) Taylor packaged enough of the right information that I could read his book over the weekend and dive into the planning stages of our project on Monday sounding like I knew a thing or two.

The book charts a course from the most basic elements of databases to modestly complicated database and query materials. The author discusses common pitfalls and useful strategies. This book isn't enough, by itself, to turn somebody into a database wonk, but it's a great starting point.

I got a bit annoyed by some of the "cute" material used to make the subject seem less threatening, but that filler doesn't take up too much space and is easily skipped. Also, the book is overly Microsoft centered--the author uses Windows applications as examples and champions Microsofts ODBC. A section about using SQL in a Unix/Linux environment should have been included (access from shell scripts, PERL, etc?). A solid four-star introduction to SQL and database technology in a Microsoft world.

(If you'd like to discuss this book or review in more detail, please click on the "about me" link above and drop me some email. Thanks!)

47 of 54 people found the following review helpful.
Not for your average 'Dummy'
By A Customer
I'm not sure why someone who already knows SQL would want to use a "Dummies" book. If 'SQL for Dummies' is indeed meant for the average "Dummy" then it skips the most important aspect of this series - catering to someone who knows little or nothing about the topic.

The jokes are not funny - and concentrating on the badly written text becomes increasingly difficult. The author does a poor job of introducing the SQL code and what each function does. He doesn't teach at all - which is what he should be doing.

For a great introduction to SQL, try Judith Bowman's 'The Practical SQL Handbook'. It is a far superior text - an easier read, insightful, helpful, and most of all - it teaches a novice the ins and outs of complex databases and coding in SQL for the REAL world. 'SQL for Dummies', however, does not fit in with the 'Dummies' series. If that's why you want this book, then look elsewhere.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful.
Overall adequate, but could have been better
By David H Schneider
First off, I must stress that after I finished reading this book I did walk away with a far greater knowledge of SQL. To this end the book served its purpose and was worth the time/money I invested in the book.

My most serious criticism is that the early chapters introduced complex examples, which I forced myself to understand...only to discover that the author explained the issues more thoroughly at a later stage. On page 55 the author explains the MIN function with a sub/nested SQL query...introducing nested queries at such an early stage was a little confusing and it distracted me from the function being discussed.

As a result I spent considerable time working through the early chapters...but the later chapters were easy to follow.

Had the author taken a bit of time to consider the placement and appropriateness of each example, this book would have received a 4/5 rating in my mind. Of course an indirect advantage of this lack of fore-thought is that if the reader is prepared to work through the earlier examples the learning process is much more active.