Product Description

MySQL is a robust open source database product that supports key subsets of SQL on both Linux and Unix systems. MySQL is free for nonprofit use and costs a small amount for commercial use. This book includes introductions to SQL and to relational database theory. If you plan to use MySQL to build web sites or other Linux or Unix applications, this book teaches you to do that, and it will remain useful as a reference once you understand the basics. Ample tutorial material and examples are included throughout. It takes you through the whole process from installation and configuration to programming interfaces and database administration. This second edition has an enhanced administration chapter that includes information on administrative tools, server configuration, server startup and shutdown, log file management, database backup and restore, and database administration and repair. In addition, a new chapter on security describes data, server, and client-server security, while a chapter on extending MySQL provides an overview of MySQL internals and describes the use of MySQL user-defined functions.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #90948 in Books
• Published on: 2002-04-23
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 442 pages

Amazon.co.uk Review
Managing and Using MySQL describes the installation, administration and programming of this hugely popular open source database manager. The main focus is on using MySQL in Web applications hosted on Linux or Unix. The book is based on MySQL 3.23. It’s aimed at programmers, but database design and the SQL language are explained from scratch, so it’s also suitable for Web developers who are beginners when it comes to databases.

The scene is set with a brief history of MySQL, explaining its position as a fast and generally free alternative to the fuller-featured commercial heavyweights like Oracle or DB2. Next comes an introduction to SQL, followed by three chapters on administration, covering configuration, data recovery, tuning, security and user management. There's a brief look at database design too. That accounts for around one third of the book. The rest is about programming with chapters on using MySQL from Perl, Python, PHP and Java, and a look at how to extend MySQL with user-defined functions written in C. The last part of the book is a reference section, covering SQL syntax and functions, along with the MySQL API in PHP, C, and Python.

This is an excellent book for getting started with MySQL as well as a convenient reference. It has a broad scope, which means it does not go deeply into the various topics. For example, those using PHP might be better off with a more specialist title like Web Database Applications with PHP and MySQL. On the other hand, Managing and Using MySQL is ideal for a general and highly accessible overview of what MySQL can do.--Tim Anderson

Geekboy, slashdot.org, July 2, 2002
"....Overall, the authors have an excellent introduction to SQL databases and MySQL...Rating 9/10."

Steve Mitchell, KCJava.org, August 17, 2002
I recommend this to anyone wanting to learn about database development or thinking of moving from commercial relational databases to open source software.

Customer Reviews

Buy the Dubois book instead
I bought "Managing and Using MySQL" in the hope that it
would include more up-to-date information on administering
and maintaining a MySQL database than the book by Paul
Dubois, which is now two-and-half years old.

I was disappointed. Although it constantly refers to new
features that are available in MySQL 4, it fails to cover
important features of the MySQL 3.23 series of releases
at all. Given that many installations and ISPs still
rely on MySQL 3.23.x, the emphasis on MySQL 4 is premature.

One glaring omission is the subject of replication, which
allows real-time mirroring of a database server for
load-sharing and/or live backup. Even Dubois, writing in
late 1999, knew this feature was imminent, but Reese and
colleagues don't even mention it in passing.

If you don't already have "MySQL" by Paul Dubois, buy that
instead. It is a much better book all round, covering all
of the major subjects in greater depth. If you do have the
Dubois book, and you're running a MySQL 3.23.x installation,
you won't gain much from "Managing and Using MySQL".

Good, authoritative reference
A good, authoritative reference which will guide you from finding out about MySQL and getting it installed all the way to configuring it, locking down security and optimisation, all the way through to good database design and day-to-day usage.

Even once you've got your database up and running well, this book is an invaluable reference to have to hand, for those commands and their syntax that slip your brain. Well done O'Reilly, another quality title!