Teaching the SQL skills that businesses demand when hiring programmers

If you're a SQL beginner, you don't just want to learn SQL basics, you also want to get some practical SQL skills you can use in the job market. This book gives you both. Covering the basics through intermediate topics with clear explanations, hands-on exercises, and helpful solutions, this book is the perfect introduction to SQL. Topics include both the current SQL:2008 standards, the upcoming SQL:2011 standards, and also how to use SQL against current releases of the most popular commercial SQL databases, such as Oracle, SQL Server, and MySQL.

* Introduces SQL concepts, explains SQL statements, and clearly shows how to write efficient and effective SQL code
* Uses a hands-on style and a sample database that incorporates all SQL concepts taught in the book; this database will be enhanced through the book as key points and lessons are covered
* Covers topics such as how SQL interacts with the sample database via various interfaces, including vendor-provided utilities, programming languages, SQL clients, and productivity software
* Includes appendices with primers on database normalization, set theory and bollean algebra, RDBMS software step-by-step setup guides, and database connectivity

Learn how to write effective, efficient SQL code with Discovering SQL: A Hands-On Guide for Beginners.
From the Back Cover

Discover best practices for turning data into information you can use

Structured Query Language, more popularly known as SQL, is a standard database language used to create, access and manipulate data, and store and maintain information in relational databases such as Access®, SQL Server®, Oracle®, and MySQL®. If that's all you know about SQL, then you're already ahead of the curve! Assuming no prior knowledge of SQL or relational databases, author Alex Kriegel takes you on a voyage of discovery as you learn SQL basics and learn to work with data stored in a relational database. Written in a beginner-friendly tone, this guide walks you through the creation of a sample database that incorporates all the SQL concepts taught throughout the book and also introduces data modeling, query tuning, and optimization.

Discovering SQL:

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Covers the most important SQL dialects along with the current release of SQL Standard
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Highlights the differences between particular implementations as well as the power and limitations of SQL
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Demonstrates how SQL deals with all types of data: structured, unstructured and everything in between
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Looks at dynamic SQL, procedural extensions and latest developments in the field
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Shares best practices for optimizing query performance
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Walks you through the basics of database design and introduces the tools for working with normalized data