5 comments about MySQL Crash Course (Sams Teach Yourself in 10 Minutes).

1. Great book to get you start into mysql. Very good examples and explanations. rather basic in some things, but overall it is worth the money. I got this book and O'Reilly's "MySQL cookbook". A good combination, that got me started with MySQL in no time. Mind you, I knew all the relational database stuff and sql queries already, but didn't know the specifics of MySQL. I was working with MS Access, but Access cannot handle large amounts of data I needed to upload for data mining projects. MySQL is just great -and free. These two books are excellent. I highly recommend them.



2. I am a PHP guy not a database guy. I know what I want to do most of the time but I don't know the exact syntax. This book is great, quick reference for just that. I use it probably 3-5 times a day. Great book for a reference!



3. You do not have to know anything about MYSQL or relational databases in order to start this book; a true novice can begin here. This book is desgined to get you up and running quickly. Although this book can also be used as a reference, it is intended as a series of hands on lessons. Forta's Teach Yourself SQL is also good, but if you are using MYSQL, this is the one to get.



4. If MySQL will suite your needs then this book is for you. I read the book cover-to-cover in my downtime at work over a few days and walked away with a solid understanding of MySQL.
   Unfortunately MySQL isn't the most mature database solution, but if it's good enough for your project, then this is a great resource.



5. As others have said, this is a great book for beginners, whether in MySQL or in databases in general. Because I have a lot of database experience, I went throught it very quickly.
   
   When I started to apply some of the techniques I learned to existing applications, I found out VERY quickly that this is insufficient as a reference. Each topic has enough hands-on examples to give you a start, but not nearly enough depth to use for looking things up.
   
   I thought that Appendix B on creating the sample tables might have been a little abbreviated for the novice user. It refers to Chapter 2 to create a new datasource, but I think it was a little confusing jumping back and forth between the appendix and the chapter. This might be better as an exercise right in the chapter.
   
   Overall, I would recommend this book as a starting point.

5 comments about PHP and MySQL Web Development (3rd Edition) (Developer's Library).

1. I order this book and been waiting and waiting. The date came for the book to arrvie and no book. So, a few days went on and still no book. I call the 1 800 number to see whats the problem and they change the date. So now i have to wait another 2-3 weeks for this book. We will see what happens when 2-3 week comes...



2. This book is great for teaching you how to use PHP and MySQL. The one thing I don't like are the examples; they contain formatting that really belongs in a CSS file. The effect is to make the examples hard to read because they are full of extraneous code, particularly in the case of table elements because inline styles don't cascade to their cells...
   
   Given the excellence of this book, I feel this is a huge oversight. The examples should contain only code related to content, not formatting. In the next edition, please remove the inline styles, move them to a stylesheet, and show us how to use php to dynamically create stylesheets!



3. Everything about this book is wonderful, it also includes an electronic version of the whole book in PDF format so you don't have to carry it with you if you don't want to. This book is definitely a very understandable book and it uses real-life examples of how to do certain projects. Excellent buy!



4. I cracked open this book knowing only basic HTML. About halfway through it, I was a website developer. By the end of the book, I was a website professional with highly sought after skills.
   
   This book is not only written well, but is written in a manner that kept my short-spanned attention all the way through with plenty of momentum. Possibly the only computer book I have ever read all the way through.



5. I find this book very easy to understand and follow. The code is well explained except in some cases. For example the Page Class in Listing 6.1 uses the function htmlentities() but this function was not defined anywhere so it is left up to the reader to guess its implementation. I find this very frustrating. Also in the section on regular expressions on page 126 it is said "Note that when a dot is used at the beginning or en of a character class, it loses its special wildcard meaning and becomes just a literal dot". But just below this sentence we find that the dot is escaped with a backslash when validating the email so a very frustrating contradiction. Also in the listing 19.1 when it gets the stock quote using a regular expression. This stock quote is retrieved from the second element of the array $quote as $quote[1]. Why not the first element of this array as $quote[0]? I'm confused here!. I haven't finished the book yet but I found these errors very frustrating. That's why I give this book 4 stars and not 5. I'll keep reading and hopefully I won't find more inconsistencies and contradictions.

5 comments about SQL For Dummies (Sql for Dummies).

1. I have read several books in the Dummies series and found them all excellent, so when it was time to learn SQL for a programming project I got this one immediately.
   
   Unfortunately, SQL for Dummies, turned out to be that absolute worst technical book I have ever laid eyes on.
   
   It jumps from topic to topic without ever really explaining anything. It uses examples that are unecessarily complex -- I get the feeling his examples just come from years of working with databases, rather than a desire to illustrate any particular thing -- and the examples are never explained. Over and over, there will be a snippet of SQL code used as an example, and I will wonder, "what does this or that part of the statement do?" But he never explains anything. He just throws it out there and then moves on.
   
   Dummies books always have a conversational tone, but the tone in this book is overly hokey and just reads like meaningless filler; all the more frustrating because there isn't really any content that it's filling in between.
   
   All I wanted was the basics of database design and interaction, an enumeration of the commands used for creating and interacting with databases and why some actions are useful and for what, and examples throughout of how one would do typical things. Instead I got an intolerable and incoherent ramble.



2. About a year ago, I was writing up a series of lessons for a course in Java DataBase Connectivity (JDBC) that I was preparing for a local business. As is always the case, they needed the course right away, so I had little time to prepare the lessons. To illustrate what can be done using JDBC, I used the executeQuery() method of the Statement object. The executeQuery() method accepts an SQL command as input, so it was necessary for me to quickly brush up on SQL commands. This is the book I reached for to get myself back to speed on SQL commands. Like all ""For Dummies" books, it can be used to quickly learn the basics of the topic, although it has little use beyond the beginning. I found it adequate for my needs at the time, although when I needed to delve deeper into SQL for a later course, I went elsewhere.
   All of the basics are covered at the level one expects from the series, and at the level of the beginner. Of course, some people will struggle with the book, as there is no precise definition of "beginner", or "dummy" for that matter. Nevertheless, if you need to learn the fundamentals of SQL in a hurry, then this book is the one for you. It is simple, direct and just thorough enough to put you on the right track.



3. If you know absolutely nothing about SQL, this book is for you!



4. Hardcore DBAs have knocked this book, but I have coworkers who reference it daily and they are now very experienced and knowledgable of SQL.



5. 0 to sql in just a few days. starts with basic relational database information and continues all the way up through advanced SQL functions. handy tear-out quick-reference card included.

4 comments about Beginning SQL Server 2005 Administration.

1. I found this book offers exactly what I needed. I learned how to best manage my SQL 2005 Database Server. I found the information to be accurate and well written, an excellent reference that I've used many times. I really appreciated how the authors used real world experience to relay hard to understand concepts.



2. I had not touched a DB box in quite a while, and I was recently handed a SQL 2005 box to manage. This book pretty much covered everything I needed. The writing style is laid back and readable, and they get right to the point, without going off on all sorts tangents. The chapter on Automating Administrative Tasks (Chapter 8) was pure gold.
   
   Good stuff.



3. This is an awesome book for someone that is new to SQL Server and needs to learn basic administration. The authors did a really good job of explaining the fundamentals in clear simple language.
   
   I especially enjoyed the explanation of the storage engine. It made things clear to me that I didn't understand previously.



4. Having taken several classes from Dan Wood I appreciate the years of practical experience these guys bring to the table. It is a very good, readable, and thorough introduction to MS SQL Server 2005. SQL 2005 is a big product with lots of intricacies. This is one of the best introductions to to it that I've read.

5 comments about Learning SQL (Learning).

1. Being an IT Professional i have seen many books till now and this is one of the best books i have seen. Price is not a matter if you get worth of the book and the way the author explains is impressive. Definitely a must have book for SQL Developers.



2. I needed a book to get one started with SQL programming from the basics to professional use of the language. After reading a few books (thanks to our great Public Libraries system), I concluded that this book is the one.
   It has the right size (size is important not to scare people off), makes the right assumptions about the reader, gives lots of examples (cases) and it is, mainly, DB agnostic.
   
   Get it and READ it.



3. I bought this book thinking I could learn SQL as a true novice. This book is not intended for a real beginner, but for developers/programmers that probably already know at least one language. For a real beginner's book see Forta's MYSQL Crash Course or Teach Yourself SQL. This book, Learning SQL, would probably be your next book.



4. Buy instead the excellent book by Ben Forta "SQL in 10 Minutes", which is a bit more simplistic but better.
   
   This book is geared towards an older version of MySQL, ver 4.x. Despite my best efforts, and I have several books on SQL and am not entirely a beginner, I could not entirely translate the MySQL script source code associated with this book to MS SQL Server 2005 SQL.
   
   Also, some of the "foreign keys" in the sample database have confusing names--a minor point but annoying.
   
   Avoid this book, unless you want to use it (as I do) as a training exercise (since I have other SQL books) rather than a book you can learn from.



5. I have been working with some fairly decent SQL from the past 3 years. I wanted to improve my basics and also learn some advanced topics.
   This book is good for real beginners and not somebody who is already into SQL.
   Apart from that, the content and explaining style of the author is good. I would recommed this book for beginners only.
   I wish O'Reilly would tag their books in terms of target readers. like beginner, intermediate, advanced, re-search, etc.
   I agree "learning" does indicate the same, but still.

5 comments about MySQL Cookbook.

1. 
   Visuals
   Good. Page numbers and section title can be found on the bottom of every page.
   
   Audience
   From the book: "This book should be useful for anybody who uses MySQL, ranging from individuals [...] to professional database and web developers."
   
   That is a pretty broad range, basically from introductory to advanced. Nevertheless I would have to say that the book meets this challenge well. This book should be of use to anybody who uses MySQL.
   
   Practicality:
   I have to say that I have fallen for Cookbook style books. While I still thoroughly enjoy more theory heavy books, cookbooks can really deliver in the immediate practicality department.
   
   The MySQL Cookbook is a good example of this. This book has dozens upon dozens of recipes that will likely have some measure of application in whatever MySQL dependent system you are working on.
   
   Each recipe contains a brief "Problem" scenario, followed by an often equally brief "Solution", and finally a more lengthy discussion that shows how to actually implement the solution.
   
   Overall
   I am very pleased with this book. Mr. DuBois and O'Reilly did a great job. For instance, one of the things I especially like is that often multiple solutions are offered. For example if you were to look up Section 6.6 "Extracting Parts of Dates or Times" you will find the solution lists 3 possible options. The discussion section contains 5 pages of examples of how you might use those options to extract the desired data.
   
   If you fit in to the intended audience of "anybody who uses MySQL", I would highly recommend this book.



2. While I'm very familiar with working with relational databases, my MySQL skills are weak. This book was exactly what I needed while building a new web application that uses MySQL. For every question I had, I found the answer in this book. Highly recommended.



3. This book is useful for anyone looking to find examples of MySQL 4 usage in multiple languages such as PHP, Perl, Java, and Python. It covers many areas that are used in real world applications and is great as a reference material. This book is structured in the Problem/Solution layout of the Oreilly cookbook series.



4. As indicated, this book is true to its title. It is a cookbook, by which I mean it contains a great number of (generally useful) recipes of varying complexity, but lacks detail and analysis that a more focused text would have.
   
   Mr. DuBois and O'Reilly publishing are clearly targeting a wide audience: the recipes range from frighteningly simple (e.g. 3.1, Specifying Which Columns to Select) to fairly sophisticated (e.g. 12.14, Performing a Join Between Tables in Different Databases). The recipes are typically clearly written, with ample supporting code examples and few typographical errors.
   
   I must also note that Mr. DuBois nicely avoids a pitfall many authors (the competence of whom I have to question) in this genre encounter: failure to weave security considerations into the text. While other books often mention security as an afterthought, or worse include code examples featuring disasters like non-escaped strings (hello, SQL injection!), DuBois explicitly points out the need to sanitize input and writes code examples that demonstrate the use of prepared statements in best-practices.
   
   Unfortunately, in other areas he is less thorough. For example, only passing mention is made of the (possible) dependence of FULLTEXT indexes on choice of storage engine. There is an entire chapter on handling duplicate rows, but the oft-needed (and non-obvious) process for removing pseudo-duplicate rows differing only by a primary key field is not directly addressed. Stored procedures, triggers, and other new additions to MySQL are among the least-well understood but most powerful features of the database engine, yet astonishingly little space is spent on them. (I could understand not discussing them in depth as there are other books available, but length did not seem to be a concern anywhere else in this book.)
   
   In summary, the book is an excellent resource for novices and experts alike - but only as a starting point. To return to the cooking analogy, the book at times feels like it is loaded down with recipes on how to add sugar to flour, but omits recipes on how to ice the cake.



5. This book is
   -a great resource for those looking to implement various mysql functions
   -a great resource for database programmers
   -a trove of information on powerful query and sort techniques
   
   Finding information about the topic you're looking for is a breeze in this book - the chapters are well-organized, and this book has anwered all questions I've posed to it....
   
   The cookbook is a powerful tool to those who know some mysql, and some dB design. I recommend that you use another book to learn basic mysql (or just an online tutorial), and another to learn database design (Navathe).

5 comments about Professional SQL Server 2005 Integration Services (Programmer to Programmer).

1. SSIS only supports scripting in VB. But whenever there's a custom component or any code outside the mandatory VB realm, the book only presents a C# example. Even the WROX website does not provide VB code. So if I want to code my custom data flow task, or follow their wmi example, I MUST know C#. I can follow along okay, but I don't like having to interpret/rewrite your code samples to be able to use them and extend upon them.
   
   The general information is good, but don't think this book will leave mold you into an SSIS Expert. I only bought this book because I first bought the WROX "expert" ssis book, which started by saying they assume you have substantial knowledge of ssis, such as provided by this book.
   
   All in all, the book is a decent introduction to SSIS. I didn't suffer from the 10 author continuity loss as others did. I just want my examples in VB, especially for a product that only speaks VB for many functions.



2. The book was in perfect condition and delivered promptly. The information contained in the book was very informative and helpful. The writers explained the concepts clearly.



3. If you're needing an SSIS primer, this is a great place to start. There are definitely holes the "how to" part of some sections. However, you really get a good idea of what's possible in SSIS. If you want script specifics, you may need to search for it on MSDN or the web in general--but, at least you know what to look for.
   
   Buy this before you buy the Expert companion title if you're new to figuring out how things work in SSIS. I had several years of experience with DTS packages, and this book was a perfect start for me.



4. I originally intended to give this book two (2) stars, just because I was hacked off at the terrible index, but the content is worth at least three stars. The problem is locating the specific content you need.
   
   Example: User-defined package variables are often critical pieces of a SSIS package. Want to find out how to get/set package variable values from an Execute SQL Task? Well, you won't get anywhere trying to look up "Variables" in the index. Just when you think the text does not address this important issue, you browse the Execute SQL Task section and -- lo! -- there is an extended discussion on how to access package variables from SQL queries. But none of it is referenced by the "Variables" entry in the index.
   
   Brian Knight, by all accounts, is a good writer who knows his material, but any book that has ten (!) authors can't help but display a variety of writing styles and competencies. The book is adequate as a learning tool, but not as a reference. If the publisher had been in less of a hurry to get to market, Mr. Knight might have been allowed to take on fewer collaborators and produced a more coherent book. And a more complete index.



5. So far this book is great for basics. It gives a great overview of all the options you have to create a SSIS package. I had previously purchased the expert version because I had DTS experience and realized SSIS was totally different. So I bought the professional version and it's filled in a lot of gaps. It's also got nice tutorials at the end of the chapters that help you to create a basic SSIS package which is incredibly helpful for learning the new tools that are available.

5 comments about SQL Cookbook (Cookbooks (O'Reilly)).

1. This is a great product but some of the advanced features weren't available in SQL Server 2000. I really liked the windowing and hierarchical queries in this book but those features are not available in 2000. For the most part 2000 isn't used that often anymore but if you are one of the unfortunate to have to use it there will be some compatibility problems with the examples in this book.



2. I am completely satisfied with this book.
   Instead of inventing all the time "bicycle" I can use this book in my everyday work and concentrate on more important things in my projects.



3. I found this book to be very complete. Providing solutions for multiple DBMSs was greately appreciated. I have been in I.T. for a long time and I have read many many books on all types of subjects. I often (too often) am disappointed with books I purchase. However, sometimes I am pleasantly surprised... this is one of those time.
   
   I create numerous queries using all types of tools. As such, I sometimes insert the wrong syntax into a query. This book helps to quickly correct the error. In addition, it has given me some "tricks" that I was unaware of that have helped to simplify some of my queries.
   
   It would be very advantageous to have the info in this book on a searchable site or application
   
   Buy it, read it, and keep it close by to reference to.



4. I am a certified DB2 / Oracle DBA and a programmer. Even though, I can get through some of chapters very fast, I certainly have enjoyed reading it so far. One thing I like the most is to see how a problem is solved in many different databases including DB2, Oracle, MS-SQL, MySQL, and PostSQL!



5. Content is excellent, with good examples. I was able to solve a prloblem the very first time I used it. The issue I have is more with Amazon in that I ordered this book in a shipment of 4 others, so it was over a month before I cracked this one open. To my dismay, the binding is not glued on and the book is falling apart. Amazon customer service has not even responded to my three emails asking for resolution.

5 comments about LINQ in Action.

1. If you want to learn Linq, whether its data stored in a database, in XML files, DataSets or just in-memory objects this is the book for you.
   
   I found it so easy to understand, and really comprehend. There are lots of examples, but not too many. After reading the first few chapters you become comfortable with the concept and syntax of the new language extensions.
   
   The authors style had just the right combination of light humor and serious programming. He seems able to express complicated issues with the greatest of ease, and obviously has enoumous knowledge on the subject.
   
   If that was not enough, there are forums avalable where you can raise queries and doubts and the author will do his best to accomodate you, again with a nice and easy flowing style.
   
   The book is a 'must have' to any serious Linq programmer (or want-to-be Linq programmer!) and will certainly occupy a prominent place on my bookshelf.
   
   Highly recommended!
   
   Regards,
   Martin.



2. I am disappointed with this book - it did not meet my expectations. I found many examples and it is really hard to use them because the author hardly explains where all comes from and why I should go this way and not another one. It sometimes confuses why, where and for what purpose the author shows an example and whether it suits my case. It is hard to decide because there are almost no explanations about roots of examples and basic theory.
   However, I am happy with the fact that more and more books about LINQ come up and I do hope to find a proper one for me. Unfortunately, for now, I have to move from one book to another one for finding a solution.



3. This is a very nicely written book.
   Clear explanations, concepts are introduced gradually and build on each other with no forward references, simple and to the point code samples, good and appropriate pace, and very easy to read and understand.
   
   I was actually amazed by this book. I read a couple of books/month, and this book reminded me a lot of the quality of classic CS books, which is so hard to come by nowadays -- think "The unix programming environment", but more accessible.
   This is in sharp contrast with most of the today books in the (programming/CS) field which tend to have a big ratio of page-count to information (lots of screenshots, or 101/intro-level intermixed content, lots of fluff). This is not a book that you can shrink without loosing quality.



4. This book is best used with a companion book covering basic C# terms. I found that I had to refer to the internet for explanations of terms.
   
   Explanations, not just definitions. That need slowed my reading to a crawl. though I have been using C# for the past year.



5. LINQ in Action, at 600 pages provides a substantial introduction and in-depth discussion of LINQ, its history, its impact, and most important - its syntax and features. I found this book easy to navigate, given that many developers (I know I do) moved between LINQ to Objects, LINQ to XML and LINQ to SQL througout the working day. When you stumble over a particular query, I found it easy to find a relavent sample in the index.
   
   If you haven't had an opportunity to move into the .NET 3.5 Framework world and use C# .0 or VB 0 syntax yet, then this book will arm you with the background necessary to move productively into the new 'Query Centric' programming paradigm - one free of complex 'for' loops and deeply nested 'if' statements (and free of embedded SQL string statements).
   
   Although hefty in size, I recommend this book if you seriously want to move beyond the basics and really understand how to use LINQ.

5 comments about Java Persistence with Hibernate.

1. As of the writing of this review in early 2008, there is no other work in the marketplace quite like this text. At over 800 pages, Bauer and King cover a lot of ground, starting with the object/relational persistence paradigm and continuing with domain models, mapping, and conversations, addressing specialized situations along the way such as working with legacy databases. Database development is not for the faint of heart, and serious work in this space requires understanding of both object-oriented technology and relational database theory, not to mention the associated business domains. Although this book has received a relatively high amount of positive reviews, readers have also understandably shared their complaints. While at the same time Java Persistence with Hibernate is probably not for everyone, there really are not that many alternatives to learning the necessary material. As with other development frameworks, it is a given that familiarity with the online documentation for Hibernate is required, with the realization that this documentation really only starts to be of benefit once the associated tools start being used. This book provides solid background to prepare the reader for the road ahead, but the reader should also be reminded that the entire book does not need to be read, nor does the material need to be read in order from front to back in order to prepare for that road. Much of the material will probably just not make sense until one gets their feet wet with the technologies. These are the reasons I choose to refer to this text as graduate school training. As Immanuel Kant, the great German philosopher, once said, "experience teaches nothing without theory, but theory without experience is mere intellectual play". The change in name for this second edition of the book reflect the fact that Hibernate is now an implementation of the Java Persistence API. Be aware that the authors traverse back and fourth between the conformance of Hibernate to JPA, and what Hibernate provides apart from JPA. I think the decision of the authors to present material on these technologies side-by-side was a wise one, because it helps keep the reader reminded that these are not separate technologies and that there are architectural tradeoffs between sticking to JPA and using Hibernate functionality beyond the specification. Well recommended.



2. This is the the BEST book for hibernate. better than hibernate in action and other books.
   
   Gavin King Rocks.



3. Got this book when I started working with hibernate at work. This book and its sample code saved me weeks of effort.
   
   Hibernate is an OK framework, but a steep learning curve. This book will help you significantly reduce that learning curve.



4. I have finally found a great resource on persistence. This book allows you find enough detail quickly to get going and enough in-depth knowledge and understanding to keep you coming back. A must own.



5. Some of the reviews for this book are a little harsh.
   
   This is the most complete book on Hibernate on the market. It covers everything, and I mean everything. From mapping to annotations, to whatever, it's in here.
   
   The book is written by the makers of Hibernate, and you can find an answer to pretty much every question you'll ever have explained in extreme detail, and in a very, very technical way.
   
   The book uses the Caveat Emptor application as a reference. You keep going back to that example, which you can download from the hibernate site. It is a very complete and intricately developed application that is a reference for how to develop enterprise ready applications that could be deployed to pretty much any mission critical environment.
   
   This book is amazing. Some reviewers have tried to use this as a Dummies book or How To book and have been frustrated, and have given this book poor reviews. That's not fair. Imagine trying to learn to swing a baseball (or cricket) bat by taking pitches from a major league pitcher. You wouldn't learn a thing, as every pitch zoomed by you at 100mph. This book is like the big league pitcher, helping you develop and design applications that are ready for the big leagues. When you understand that, you can understand why people who are new to the technology, and looking for very simple and straight forward examples, can get frustrated with this book and give it 1 or 2 stars. Really, those reviews are not fair.
   
   If you are new to hibernate, you should start of with something a like Hibernate Made Easy: Simplified Data Persistence with Hibernate and JPA (Java Persistence API) Annotations. If you are using mapping files, then Hibernate: A Developer's Notebook is the other book you should get.
   
   Overall, this is a five star book written by the people that know Hibernate the most. We're very luck to have a book like this to help guide us through the really, really, really tough stuff.