1 comments about Programmer's Guide to SQL.

1. A good basic book on SQL development. My favorite thing about the book was the nice way the authors laid out the syntax differences between SQL Server, Oracle, DB2 and MySQL.

No comments about Microsoft SQL Server 2005 - 70-431 Simulated Exam Software.

4 comments about Sams Teach Yourself MySQL in 21 Days (2nd Edition) (Sams Teach Yourself).

1. It was missing alot of information in the area of new users and granting privileges. Quotations marks were left out of key commands to grant privileges and there are limits...There were misspellings of words. The book should have gone through spellcheck and a thorough test of examples.
   I would rate this book lower but I admit, it helped me get started. If I didn't have teaching and other data processing experience I would be bald trying to follow this book.



2. The book is aimed at the beginner/intermediate level, which I think is about right. Readers at both levels would benefit significantly from this well written and easily read volume.

   Each chapter gives you a `kick start' in that aspect of MySQL starting at a basic level and progressing to a stage where you have a very useful knowledge.
   The chapters on Querying Data for example take you to a point where you (as an intermediate user) could do most everyday queries.

   This is achieved by using straightforward examples with carefully graded and well explained steps. I never felt too pushed nor felt I was being patronised - quite an achievement.

   What I particularly liked were the chapters on interfacing with the real world.
   The chapter on PHP does not pretend to be a primer on PHP but does introduce the few functions in PHP which allow you to write to and query a MySQL database, retrieve the results and present them to the rest of your PHP code - just what a PHP coder needs from a book on MySQL. This is repeated for those who need to interface with C and PERL.

   I would unreservedly recommend this book to anyone starting out in MySQL.




3. Altogether, this book is pretty helpful. It doesn't go into much details on the commands, or show you in details how to use some of the methods covered... but this is where actual experience comes into play.
   
   The only reason I'm really docking this book down to 3 of 5 stars is because of some of the technical errors... they're down right confusing!
   
   One part says (this is a literal quote!):
   SELECT 1 = 0 returns 0.
   SELECT 1 = 0 returns 1.
   
   And another part about regular expressions was incorrect (and down right hard to read):
   [^0-9] matches any string lacking a non-numeric character.
   
   Also, the sections that talk about integration into PHP, Perl, and C are EXTREMELY inadequate and it may have been better if the author hadn't even tried to go into such detail as he did. He tried much too hard to give the reader an introduction to PHP. The other two, Perl and C, he did a good job with: he explained what to do and moved on.



4. This is the best starter book on MySql that I've read and I've read quite a few. Start with this one.

5 comments about Transact-SQL (IDG Professional Programming).

1. If you need a book about T-SQL, go on to the next one. T-SQL is the SQLServer backend workhorse language, but this book spends almost half the pages describing how to perform tasks using the SQLServer 7.0 GUI tools instead of T-SQL. I can't understand that in a book titled "TRANSACT-SQL". Beyond that, if you want any sort of detailed understanding of the topics covered, you won't get it from this book. I would highly suggest the "Transact-SQL Programming" book from O'Reiley Press. That book gives you a complete discussion of T-SQL.



2. If you have learned Transact-SQL before, save your money. 90% of the contents can be found elsewhere. Also, there is only sample database and NO third-parties programs on CD-ROM.



3. This book is supposed to cover Transact-SQL, an advanced topic. But it uses a database which you must type in! Although it includes a CD-ROM, the database is not on it. If I want a typing exercise, I'd buy Mavis Beacon's. Most of the first portion of the book covers basic SQL tools. A complete waste of time in an advanced text. Also, much of the text and many of the illustrations are based on a beta version of SQL 7, so they don't even apply to the version you'll see (for example, see pg. 40, which tells how to create a Database Diagram, and is COMPLETELY WRONG). The writing style is also unclear and difficult to follow. The only benefit I got from the book is the author's name - I've used it to start a list of authors I'll avoid at all cost in the future.



4. Amo's Transact-SQL can certainly be faulted for the amount of time that it spends trying to describe how to perform somewhat mundane tasks in Enterprise manager and other SQL 7 tools -- great if you have never used SQL Server before, but not particularly useful for programmer or DBA turned programmer trying to learn Transact-SQL. The books redeeming strength, however, comes from the clarity with which the author is able to deal with more advanced concepts such as cursors. His explanation makes the concept very accessible to a beginner. The books excellent index allows it to serve well as a reference book. All things considered, this is not the book to buy if a large portion of you work is with a database; but for a developer or DBA needing to write a little Transact-SQL and not wanting to spend three-weeks reading a book like Vieira's SQL Server Programming it could serve as a good intro book and/or quick reference.



5. For an experienced developer new to SQL Server, this was a great book. Clearly written, good examples, good coverage (see how many others explain JOINS as clearly, or describe functions like COALESCE). Got me up and running quickly with a new SQL project. This alone saved many times the cost of the book. Would like to see it updated from version 7 to 2000.

No comments about Manual de Oracle.

1 comments about MCSE Lab Manual for SQL Server 2000 Administration.

1. Let's say that they gave it a try. Labs are fine, just less than about 20 typos. Just like all other test-prep books, this one also have copied a lot out of MOCs and since MOC did not help with the certfiication, at least for SQL exams, this book did not come out good either. Even Sybex, Microsoft Press seem to follow the same trend. I gave it four stars, because labs are at least ordered and somewhat relate to the basic SQL admin skill.

No comments about Microsoft® SQL Server® 2008 Reporting Services Step by Step.

1 comments about Introduction to Relational Databases.

1. This is an excellent book. The explanations are clear, to the point, and illustrated by great examples. The only book I've ever seen that explains relational database design clearly AND shows how to implement it in Oracle. Outstanding! Best purchase I've made in a long time.

5 comments about Lan Times Guide to SQL (LAN Times Series).

1. I was introducted to this book as a student at DeVry Institute of Technology in Dallas, TX. I found the book to be a great introduction into the SQL language. The books presents a detailed (yet non-exhaustive) history of the language, along with a good solid introduction to the methodology of SQL. It also provides practical examples of relational DMBS scripting, history and methodology. I would recommend those with absolutely no database experience check out the Modern Database Management book (ISBN: 0-8053-6054-9) before purchasing this book.



2. With 5 other SQL titles on my shelf, plus docs from Sybase, Oracle & MS SQL Server, this is the book I (almost) always grab first.

   Well-organized and well-written, an excellent walk-through of "the basics" and as a syntax reference with good examples.

   Look elsewhere however for advanced administration and optimization techniques (Celko's SQL for Smarties is good in this regard). Consider this book as best for Beginner-to-Intermediate topics.




3. My only regret is that these authors don't write books for every IT subject I'm studying. I am a CNE and MCSE who is studying to become a DBA. Simply put, this is the BEST starting book for ANYONE who is interested in databases or SQL.



4. I must say, that this book is written by professionals. I have tons of books about SQL, and this book is among of the best.

   What is important: authors waste no time on less important stuff. Every chapter, every paragraph in this book is like a sniper shoot.

   All clear, all design philosophy is explained. Caveats are pinpointed, working examples provided.

   This book will greatly help novices, and also will be useful for advanced users.




5. I've had this book at my elbow for a long time, and it is a reliable and thorough reference that will be very useful to the programmer who is not a DBA. Coverage of all the standard SQL keywords and what they do is provided, together with practical examples of when you might want to use a particular statement. Highly recommended.

4 comments about A Guide to SQL Featuring Oracle.

1. A fantastic book for learning SQL. I did not have Oracle and was learning on Microsoft Access instead, but I found the book very helpful nonetheless. The author does a good job of explaining SQL and databases. This book is also a very handy reference when programming. I still find myself using it as a guide when writing SQL statements in my programs. Overall a good book. I recommend it for SQL beginners and highly recommend it for users of Oracle.



2. I've had some programming experience, but can't say I'm an excellent programmer. This book really clued me in how just how versatile SQL can be. It slowly builds your knowledge and feeds it just enough to keep you interested for more. I've since purchased other books by Loney published by Oracle Press and have found them to be dry reads in comparison. After reading this book, I feel confident enough to take on PL/SQL. My limited programming skill is not a hindrance to learning SQL. Now.

   An excellent beginner's book.




3. I would definitely recommend this book to any beginer who has no idea what SQL is really all about. It starts off by introducing a fairly simple database and then builds on various queries and aspects of the database. I found it helpful making a copy of the database layout page which I then placed next to my monitor for constant referals. In just a few days I was confidently tackling our Oracle database at work and now no longer have that 'unknown' fear when facing any SQL related problems. Though for complex SQL scripts I would recommend a more advanced book.



4. Sorry Authors but I can never seem to find what I am after here. e.g. Looking for info on "aggregate" terms - no reference to it. e.g. Looking for information on oracle date handling - not enough info to be useful.

   I need something more heavy duty really. Might be okay for someone starting out - but I doubt it.