Recommend a book for SQL

her209

No Lifer
Oct 11, 2000
56,336
11
0
Best way to learn it is just to install MySQL and run the commands.
 

SandEagle

Lifer
Aug 4, 2007
16,809
13
0
have you asked that dry cleaner girl out yet?

if not,

select *
from atot_users
where balls = '0'
----------------------------
1 row returned

FearOftheNight
 

FearoftheNight

Diamond Member
Feb 19, 2003
5,101
0
71
lolll quit stalking my threads. but seriously whats a good way to practice sql? i'm in front of dbs all day...mostly ms sql server and oracle
 

her209

No Lifer
Oct 11, 2000
56,336
11
0
but seriously whats a good way to practice sql? i'm in front of dbs all day...mostly ms sql server and oracle
Make up scenarios and figure out the SQL command that will get you the information you need. Make it complicated enough where you have to query multiple tables and use INNER JOINS, OUTER JOINS, etc.
 

FearoftheNight

Diamond Member
Feb 19, 2003
5,101
0
71
Make up scenarios and figure out the SQL command that will get you the information you need. Make it complicated enough where you have to query multiple tables and use INNER JOINS, OUTER JOINS, etc.

hi thanks...i'm really new to sql so i'm not sure what kind of scenarios would be good...in fact i dont even know what inner and outer joins are...hence the need to learn :p
 

yllus

Elite Member & Lifer
Aug 20, 2000
20,577
432
126
hi thanks..are there major differences between the different sql clients? i usually use oracle or ms sql server

There is actually a standardized core set of SQL commands that have been dictated by ANSI (a standards institute). On top of that, each SQL server has its own extra layer of commands (PL/SQL for Oracle, T-SQL for MS SQL, and so on) that aren't a bad idea to learn but is definitely not common knowledge.

My book on SQL is over a decade old, and for the most part as dwell indicates you don't need one. Where a book might be handy is in teaching abstract concepts such as database normalization.
 

Leros

Lifer
Jul 11, 2004
21,867
7
81
You don't need a book. SQL is pretty easy. Find a decent online tutorial and start messing around.
 

xalos

Senior member
May 31, 2002
292
0
76
I'd recommend the SQL queries and the database design book in the for mere mortals series. Realistically the SQL is the easy part, knowing how to correctly design a database from the ground up is a really good skill and takes some thought.

I really liked the interview portion of the database design book, it really helped me speed up the design process up by allowing me to make better use of the initial meeting with the client.
 

consolibyte

Member
Nov 3, 2009
103
0
71
If you're already good at SQL, and want to get better... check out the "SQL for Smarties" books by Joel Celko. Very high-level, clever SQL books.