3 comments about Oracle PL/SQL Tuning: Expert Secrets for High Performance Programming (Oracle In-Focus series).

1. This book sucks; they should call this book useless way to try to improve the performance of oracle. For instance the author simulates a slow sql statement by using example of a state that counts the time for a number of seconds, like of like a sleep command. Doing this for a number for year I never came across a sleep or wait command for slow query. The authors also never say why or go into detail about his suggestion. It is like he does not really know what he is talking about but gives you example of the problem and solution but never really goes into why.



2. This book has been a great resource for me as I get acquainted with various Oracle assets, including many things that I was not aware of concerning PL/SQL. Expect to learn improved ways of handling Oracle, knowing that this book is for the advanced and eager Oracle user. Dr. Hall obviously has experience in Oracle, to the point where he can exemplify these complex concepts in an easy to follow format. From one Oracle professional to another, I highly recommend this book.



3. I found some very good advice in this book for PL/SQL tuning. Using some of the examples on bulk loads and forall..inserts I was able to get hundredfold improvements in some row at a time loads. The examples were easy to understand and showed techniques for verifying performance effects. They could use a better proofreader, but on the whole, I think this is a good book for a PL/SQL developer.

3 comments about MCITP Administrator: Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Database Server Infrastructure Design Study Guide (Exam 70-443).

1. Microsoft clearly owns the desktop marketplace, and they are clearly lacking such penetration into the world of big IT systems. For the past few years Microsoft has been orienting their company and their software products towards the enterprise level. With the latest version of SQL Server (2005) Microsoft is increasing their focus towards the larger end of the market. Part of this effort is the creation of the Microsoft Certified IT Professional. This certification is much higher end than the earlier certifications in areas like Word or Excel.
   
   A person with MCITP certification has evidence that he knows how to set up and operate a truly big database. This means multiple databases, running on multiple servers, perhaps in different countries, backed up against disasters, running the latest software upgrades, protected against intruders, operating efficiently with maximum availability and convenience to users.
   
   This book is in part a preparation for the 70-443 examination, but is also a book written by two authors who have been there and done that so that they can speak with personal experience about things that can go wrong.



2. Having recently studied and sat the prerequisite 070-431 exam, using the 070-431 study guide put out by this same publisher, this book for exam 070-443 is much closer to the Microsoft exam content and format than the 070-431 book. Whereas I gave the 070-431 book 3 stars, due to how closely (or not) the contents matched what was examined, this books in comparison gets 5 stars.
   
   It is NOT a rehash of SQL 2000 material and it is present to the reader in the same style as the 070-443 exam.
   
   Each chapter covers the material to be examined on and then presents a case study with 10 or so questions based on that case study - just as per the exam.
   
   The content is relevant and the style helps the reader become familiar with how the exam is presented. That alone is enough to deserve the 5 stars.
   
   As with any exam preparation, if you are planning on sitting the exam I would still recommend supplementing the material in this book with other sources - I am currently reading the equivalent 070-443 MS Press exam book.
   
   Personally, for this exam, I have found this Sybex title the better suited study guide.



3. I just finished my test and I was somewhat surprised that a lot of the content in this book was not tested on. I know Microsoft changes the test but I expected that the book would be very close to the exam not in exact questions but in overview. Most of the question on encryption I couldn't find a mention in the book.
   
   I would still use this book but I would caution you to add other books, notes to better emcompass the technology.

5 comments about MySQL and Perl for the Web (Landmark).

1. This isn't a complete review but readers should be aware that this book does NOT cover templates (it doesn't appear in the contents or the index). There's no mention of Template Toolkit or HTML::Template, for example. (Text::Template and HTML::Mason get mentioned as an aside, but that's it) Similarly, there are three chapters on forms, but no mention of CGI::FormBuilder.

   Seems like a big omission to me. YMMV.




2. This is an excellent book. I knew my way around Perl and had done a few relatively simple CGIs before being handed a project to build an application that would allow 50 or 60 employees to enter several thousand customer complaints and email them to the right recipents based on the complaint content. I had a three-week deadline.

   I bought the book and started patching elements of the example applications together until I what I needed almost working. One problem delayed me a couple of days so I emailed DuBois with a question and received a solution within the hour.

   I'd recommend this book to anyone who has a moderate grasp of Perl and Apache. It's one of the most lucid computer books I've ever read.




3. Like many others, I wish I'd seen this book long ago.

   The attention to detail and accuracy of the examples is just incredible!

   This is by far the most used reference book in my library. After repeatedly having to tape the book together, I finally gave it away and bought a new one.

   Following his examples eliminates many potential pitfalls that would otherwise result in hours of troubleshooting.

   I can't imagine how I would have ever learned this information without the expert advice of the author, Paul DuBois. His coverage of CGI.pm is essential as well as his list of other books to read.

   I think I have all his other books as well.

   He even returned email almost immediately!

   My only complaint is that it isn't bound in leather!




4. There are plenty of books about MySQL and PHP in bookstores. Yet, I still prefer Perl as my web page languages, thanks to its powerful regex and the similarity to C grammar (Some functions have exactly the same name and take the same arguments as in C).
   
   For web applications, a backend database is necessary (MySQL). But how to access and operate on these dabatases? Perl comes into scene at this point.
   
   I don't understand why people write so many books on PHP and MySQL, and so few on Perl and MySQL. Up to now, Paul's book is the only one I ever saw to cover both MySQL and Perl's application in web pages.
   
   Paul's method is step by step, and the examples are not trivial ones. And he clearly explained the critical parts of his code. He even wrote some packages which can be used as library.
   
   Before reading his book, I feel curious how the dynamic web pages work. Now, after finishing his book, I can understand how a commercial site such as Amazon works.
   
   Finally, I recommend this book be bought with the other title by Paul - "MySQL". This is the book dedicated to MySQL language. It is a good companion to "MySQL and Perl for the Web".



5. Disclaimer: I was given a copy of this book on the condition that I would write a review of it. That said, what follows is my opinion.
   
   This book provides a good "from the ground up" guide for using Perl to do just about anything you'd want to do on your web site, including run an eCommerce site. You need to know a bit of Perl before you start, but even if you don't the examples start out simple enough that you should be able to pick it up as you go, provided you have some programming background. Should you get stuck, there are plenty of pointers to online resources, as well as an appendix to show you how to set up the software used in this book.
   
   The book starts out with the basics: setting up MySQL and Apache to get at your data via the web, including Perl DBI basics. You then get started by writing a simple to-do list application, and in the process create modules that you will use (and build on) later in the book.
   
   Mod_perl is covered, and then progressively more complex form based applications are presented. Many useful techniques are discussed. Once you're just about tired of all the tedium of form based applications, automated form-handling techniques are introduced that use meta-data about the table structures to automatically generate (and validate) input data. Techniques for session management get a chapter as well, presenting very good information on the pros and cons of different session management techniques (IP, cookie, URL key, etc).
   
   Security and privacy get a very good chapter. Not only are issues presented regarding keeping user's information confidential, but cautions are also presented regarding keeping the server secure. SQL injection attacks are discussed, as are defenses against them. Hint: use MySQL's quote() function.
   
   The book closes with a chapter on writing an eCommerce application. All the techniques used in the book are brought together in one application, and it is shown (very well) how they all relate to each other. While the resulting eCommerce application is extremely simple in regards to what it can do, it effectively shows the reader the power of MySQL and Perl together, and provides an excellent reference when writing applications of one's own.
   
   I am a system administrator, and have done a good chunk of web site design (mostly the technical side) and programming. I've been using Perl since 1996, and MySQL with that since 2000 (used mSQL before that). So, yes, I had quite a bit of Perl and DB experience before I read the book. I say that to say this: I still learned things. There were tips and techniques in there that I hadn't thought of, and will make my job just a bit easier the next time I use Perl to write a MySQL based application. Even if you have some Perl and MySQL experience under your belt, the book will still be useful.

No comments about LINQ For Dummies (For Dummies (Computer/Tech)).

5 comments about ADO.NET in a Nutshell.

1. This book is classic O'Reilly. It's separated into three sections. The first being a thorough but brief introduction to all aspects of the API. The second section is an API reference. And the third a quick reference. This third section is included on the CD that comes with the book and will integrate into Visual Studio.

   Don't expect the first section of the book, which is an introduction to ADO.NET to give you a gentle introduction to the subject. That's not the Nutshell form. If you don't know ADO at all you will want to buy both this book and an introductory book. If you know related APIs, or you know ADO.NET and you need a refresher or have weak spots you will find some new things in the first section. For me it was the support for disconnect access and also the integration with the XML features of SQL Server 2000.

   Although this book stays true to the Nutshell form it is a little longer in the introduction than the usual. The introductory section is seventeen chapters and is almost half of the length of the book. So if you are an intermediate or advanced engineer I think you could probably learn enough ADO directly from this book without any other introductory book.




2. I've owned this book for 3 days and cannot put it down! I have not been a big fan of O'Reilly over the years, but this book is "incredible". It goes into the detail that most books seem to omit and it's those details that we "developers" desperately need.

   I would recommend this book to ANY and ALL .NET developers who are writing code that hits against a database. There are topics covered in this book that Microsoft's own MSDN and VS.NET help system seem to fail at properly explaining. It's because of this that I've found myself (all too often) going to codeguru.com and google groups to get answers to ADO.NET questions that this book actually covers.

   My hat goes off to authors Matthew MacDonald and Bill Hamilton on a job well done.

   Coming from a Visual Basic background and now working in VB.NET and C#.NET, this book should satisfy both the VB.NET and C# developer.




3. I own over 50 books on .NET including several on ADO.NET. This book is my favorite on ADO.NET. Thus, it is the one I use most often. It has a great blend of discussion, documentation, and code samples. It is much easier and more thorough than much of the MSDN documentation or most other books. I've yet to run into a situation where the answer I need isn't either in this book or gives me a great starting point to find that answer.
   
   Virtually every ADO.NET oriented class, method, event, and property is covered.
   
   This book is definitely worth purchasing.



4. --A Concise Reference with only the useful information. ADO.NET really does take a different approach from the other database API's. I have worked alot with JDBC, MySql (via java and PHP), Oracle and ODBC. In ADO.NET, the concept of a disconnected Dataset forces you to rely heavily upon Microsoft's Object model. The alternative to this book seemed to be either: Search through MSDN's reference material Or Purchase one of the many books which regurgitate the steps in using the wizards. The MSDN reference material really did not show me the expected "idioms" or paradigms in writing function db applications. This book helped me to understand what is really happening beneath these opaque designs. It helped me to understand and solve some of the necessities in creating data driven ASP.NET DB applications.



5. The bitter, Faster, and Lighter way to learn ADO.NET , the book contains and explain ALL ADO.NET Classes in simple way , of course the book written by experts in Microsot .NET .
   I advise every one who want to learn ADO.NET in the fastest time to Buy this book .

No comments about SAS 9.2 SQL Procedure User's Guide.

No comments about Oracle PL/SQL: Expert Techniques For Developers and Database Administrators (Charles River Media Programming).

5 comments about Microsoft SQL Server(TM) 2000 Programming Step by Step (Dv-Dlt Fundamentals).

1. Having a reasonable background in Access, I thought this would be a good book to learn SQL Server. WRONG! About the only things she explains are the wizards - which I thought were supposed to be self-explanatory. I was about 200 pages into the book before I found something even remotely useful, and by then I had no patience left to finish the book. If you're really thinking about buying this book, save yourself some money... at least go to the book with a list of questions and try to answer them using just the book... I guess I should check out Andy Baron/Mary Chipman's book on Access/SQL Server/ADPs... This book would only be good for starting up the BBQ...



2. I have had a lot of experience with Access but none with SQL server. This book told me everything I needed to get up and running quickly with SQL server. The presentation is very clear and readable. I also learned me a few new things about relational databases. Thanks Rebecca.



3. If you want 600 pages of screen shots with virtually no explanation of the underlying concepts being presented, then this book is for you. I cannot believe this book would be useful to anyone trying to learn SQL programming. A complete waste of money and time.



4. When I first started to read this book, I wanted to learn more about SQL, but this book failed. As the title says, it's pretty much just a bunch of step-by-step exercises and screen shots, but doesn't really get into too much detail, or give any reasons or explanation.
   
   The only reason why I am writing a review now is that I now have something to compare this book against.
   
   If you want a great book on SQL programming, I suggest you pick up "Profession SQL Server 2000 Programming" by Robert Vieira (Wrox Press), which is a great book even for novices.
   
   IF you really want to buy this book, I have a copy that I'd be willing to let go for dirt cheap.



5. SQL Server, this is the topic that I think it is very hard for me to learn. But after I have try this book, it is really make really funny to learn SQL server. I learn a lot of basic things such as table, query, rule, user define function... from this book and now I could SQL Server to manage my own database. There are two advantage that I found in this book:
   
   1. Each chapter is guide you from the basic and have many screen shoot for you to learn. You do not need to have any previous knowledge about SQL server. What you need is the basic task with windows operating system, such as shut down, restart, moving windows dialog box, resize windows dialog box, copy/cut or paste file...
   2. The author use a very simple word to explain to the reader and very easy to follow each step.
   
   Whether this book is design for the beginner, you will need to read additional book after you read this book. This book just give you a starting point only, if you want to master sql server 2000 you should try to find another resource which guide you deeply in this technology.

5 comments about Guide to SQL Standard, A (4th Edition).

1. If you're a beginner, get a ["...For Dummies"] book. Ifhowever, you're looking to understand the internals of SQL and what iscommon to all relational databases, this is the book (if you wanttheory, I suggest 'Foundations of Databases' - Abiteboul, Hull, and Vianu, which is THE definitive book on the foundations and theory of database systems). This is after all what developers refer to when implementing a database that understands SQL(okay, I mean good developers, not the 'cut and paste' guys who make their living on other people's code without understanding how it works).



2. Not a beginners book, I choose it never the less. It helped me not to use nonstandard SQL features, so that my code runs with different databases. Still there seems to be no standard of how to get data about the database engine or the table configuration, so some code seems to remain individual. The book is from a standards thinking author, which means very formalistic. One nees to like this to like this book. But anyhow, the book is very profesionally written and to recommend. One needs serveral books about the same topic anyway.



3. If you are looking for a book that will take you through the SQL standard, explaining what each part means and how to use each feature, then you need to look elsewhere. If you are an expert SQL user, and interested in some of the intimate detail of the standard, for example the way time and dates work, and why they work the way they do, this may well be the book for you, but it?s still expensive for the number of pages. If you known the basics well already, and want to become a power SQL user, then I?d recommend Joe Celko's SQL for Smarties



4. The word index at the end of the book is a poor joke, for example words like "TRIGGER" and "PROCEDURE" are missing, but you can find completely useless references to expressions used as identifiers.

   Examples given are most trivial, for example I didn't manage to find how to return a recordset from a stored procedure.

   Save your money, download free stuff floating around in the net.




5. If you are a newbie looking how to make a Select statement work, this probably isn't for you. On the other hand, if you are experienced and want a book to help you understand how and why many DB's function like they do...buy this

1 comments about SQL in Easy Steps (In Easy Steps).

1. This book explains SQL well. In no time, I was able to understand exactly what SQL was, and what its commands were. I highly recommend this book for learning SQL. My one qualm with the book is that it assumes you are using an interface directly to the database server - I would like to write software that interfaces with the database server. I will need to find another source to accomplish this. Nevertheless, I highly recommend this book.