SQL has become the standard language for accessing information in relational databases. It is becoming increasingly important as a means of enabling personal computer users to use data stored on mainframes and workstations through client/server networks. This book guides readers step-by-step through the basic vocabulary and functions of the language and describes how to use it to develop applications. It covers the fundamentals of database design, security and data integrity. This updated second edition also includes two chapters specifically on implementing SQL in the workplace. These chapters contain explicit solutions, ready-to-use code and general strategies for common business database challenges.

Review

The Practical SQL Handbook explains Structured Query Language (SQL) simply, without being condescending and deeply without being obscure. From its early chapters about relational database theory to its superb coverage of transaction management, this book is informative and easy to follow.

The authors begin by explaining how to design efficient data structures, an important part of database management. From there, they discuss how to populate a database with pieces of data and then explain how to construct queries that extract needed information. Throughout, the text is filled with statements, code and output--and even common SQL errors. You ought to be able to follow along on any ANSI SQL 92-compliant system as you read this book.

Later chapters cover reports, joins, views, subqueries and security. The authors explain each from a practical point of view, as demonstrated by a section on common database tasks (how to specify decimal precision, for example). A good glossary exists in the back of this book, and a comprehensive table documents the differences among Sybase, Microsoft, Informix and Oracle SQL command sets. The companion CD-ROM contains the Sybase SQL Anywhere Studio software, which ordinarily requires a 15-MB download marathon. --David Wall

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