Product Description

Find out how to create and maintain powerful databases –– it′s easy with this book! Databases are the best tools ever invented for keeping track of the things users care about. Understanding databases and SQL gives you tremendous power to access the information you need. This book shows you how to use DBMS to define, administer, and process databases and their associated applications. It shows programmers how to incorporate SQL into programs for powerful data manipulation and retrieval, including operation on non–text objects such as graphical images and sound files. It helps you take advantage of SQL′s rich assortment of tools and powerful new object–relational features to snag all the information you need from your databases quickly and easily.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #45553 in Books
• Published on: 2001-02-15
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 456 pages

Amazon.co.uk 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 10 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. --Jake Bond

From the Back Cover
Take charge of relational databases!

Now updated with coverage of the SQL:1999 standard

Step–by–step instructions for database design and implementation

The fun and easy way to create and maintain databases with SQL
SQL gives you the power to create, manipulate, update, and retrieve information in any major relational database management system. But how do you get up to speed on this complex language? Relax! With Allen G. Taylor at your side, you′ll be building tables, creating views, and writing nested queries in no time.

Discover how to:

• Understand SQL and relational databases basics
• Build a multitable database
• Retrieve data from a database
• Use SQL in Internet and enterprise applications
• Capitalize on new SQL:1999 features

• Explanations in plain English
• "Get in, get out" information
• Icons and other navigational aids
• Tear–out cheat sheet
• Top ten lists
• A dash of humor and fun

• Register to win cool prizes
• Browse exclusive articles and excerpts
• Get a free Dummies Daily e–mail newsletter
• Chat with authors and preview other books
• Talk to us, ask questions, get answers

About the Author
Allen G. Taylor has more than 30 years of experience in the computer industry. He teaches at Portland State University and is the author of Database Development For Dummies.

Customer Reviews

No use for beginners
A book dealing with a technically complex subject like SQL needs to have good code examples that the reader can repeat and play around with, followed by questions which embed the knowledge and ensure the reader is understanding the material. If you want an entirely theoretical overview of SQL this book might be useful but if you want to sit down and start using it work with databases then look somewhere else.

Good for Some...
A good introduction to SQL for people who have some programming experience, and need to know how to integrate their applications with a database, and for people who use MS Access, but want to work independently of the query design grid. The book is especially good for defining the common SQL and database terminology. It was nice to finally get a thorough explanation of the various types of joins, and the brief chapter on ODBC was pleasantly simple. SQL is not a very exciting subject, however, and a little more humor would have been helpful to ward off boredom. Some hands-on exercises for MS Access, VB or SQL Server would have been helpful.

SQL IN A FLASH - Best source of fast facts
Having only skimmed the surface of databses in the past I was faced this week with a rather large challenge; learn SQL in a week to give a discussion to 150 people!
On the face of it, it would seem that this was an impossible task for someone who had only dealt with HTML and XML before, but then Allen G Taylor came to my rescue!
SQL for dummies takes you through all the stages of databases from what are relational databases, tables, SQL commands, data retreival and security issues in SQL. This book is a true masterpiece and anyone wishing to get to grips with SQL should not hesitate to but this invaluable source of facts.
Allen gently guides you through all of the areas with hints, tips and reminders of commands and queries along the way.

I can honestly say that of all the books I have read relating to computer technology, none has come close to the simple practical advice of this book.

I look forward to Allen G Taylors next offering.