SQL in Easy Steps
The jacket claims that this book will accommodate a variety of users, from students on a limited budget to self-employed individuals with no formal training. While SQL in Easy Steps is very reasonably priced, students and small business owners will have a hard time doing anything without previous database administration experience. The lone administrative example is hidden near the end of the book and isn't detailed as well as the rest of the examples:
GRANT FULL PRIVILEGES ON *.* to mony@localhost
IDENTIFIED BY password WITH GRANT OPTION;
Furthermore, anyone who gained access to the monty@localhost account could do whatever he pleased, creating databases and tables, granting users whatever permissions they wanted... This is not a good way to secure your system.
It seemed strange that the book would discuss importing data using the
source command and not talk about backing up data using
mysqldump. (MySQL is used throughout the book, though
other databases are covered here and there).
Also missing is any mention of using MySQL with PHP, Perl, or other
languages. Some might consider the missing discussion on PHP/Perl a good
thing, since it means the book just sticks to the basics, but its
exclusion reduces the book's value to someone interested in using MySQL
to run her business. Though hacker types might not mind using the
mysql client to do everything, most small business owners
new to MySQL would probably prefer to set up a Web-based interface for
their frontend.
With all these problems, you might be wondering why I would
review/recommend the book at all. Though perhaps not as useful as it
could be for users completely new to SQL, it's a handy book if you
already know a little about SQL administration but are a little shaky on
SQL joins and the myriad of select options.
What's particularly good about this book is that following every
documented keyword is a good example. This is one of the few books I've
found with such extensive examples. I also like the fact that the MySQL
Open Source database is used over its non-Free relatives. Some examples
have a sidebar which tells how Oracle or Access differ, which makes
SQL in Easy Steps useful to users of non-Free databases.
Unlike my experience with the Dummies series of books, I actually paid attention to the warning/tips icons. The icons are different enough that they're recognizable at a glance, and most of the tips are useful.
It's likely that the publisher/author considered administration, but purposefully left it out because of the variety of ways available to perform administration tasks on various databases. Unfortunately, the topic of administration really cannot be avoided for a book like this to be truly useful to someone who has never touched a database before and is planning on actually using MySQL/SQL. The inexpensive price makes the book very attractive, but I wouldn't recommend it as an introduction to MySQL because of the gaps in administration. As a second book, however, it's really handy for referencing simple SQL keywords.
Thanks
For doing a book review with a URL including UK purchase link, much appreciated.
As for the book well from what you say I guess not for me. It sounds like it suffers from being neither one thing nor the other. Be interested to hear from any genuine beginners who had tried it?
BozMo (catesfamily.org.uk/)
What it promises..
Well, this book might be only about plain SQL but that's what promises in its title, not sql for php in easy steps. It should give at least a fast look into SQL for students.
I'd like to put my hands on a good SQL book, I mean with great deal of code with subqueries, joins and all those things that give us a headache sometime.. I haven't found one that good yet.
the book
it's cheap but still, is it really worth the money?
henrik (lesean.esmartguy.com/s...)
Re: the book
I saw it in top 10 of books!
_ _
dmuchance (www.imprezyintegracyjn...)
Sounds good to me...
I prefer MySQL over Oracle any day of the week. The SQL isn't that difficult and it's nice to have an alternative to the HUGE resource hog that Oracle is.
I'm glad to get a book that's not only helpful but inexpensive as well. $15 is nothing when it comes to buying SQL books. Just one more way MySQL pounces Oracle. I love it.
IT-Ideas.com (www.it-ideas.com)
Re: the book
Yeah the book is really cheap and i did bought it.But have to go thru it
I have gone through the book
and it is a good start. No it is not in depth...but when you know absolutely nothing about a subject like SQL...then a book that is over 500 pages, 3 inch thick and info about every single ecsoteric feature can be a little overwhelming, and the book basically ends up becoming a $60 paperweight. What this book does well is simplifies the concepts and clearly shows you through simple steps how to install sql, create a database, tables, and etc. Within a couple of days of going through the book, I felt that I had a pretty good understanding on how to use sql. Now don't get me wrong I am not in no elusion that I know sql, or are some sort of expert. But now I do feel comfortable in going back to that 500 page, 3 inch SQL book and really going through the details and actually understand the subjects. For a book that is less than 100 pages on a subject like SQL it will give you the info you need to get you started....at least from there you'll have a pretty good understanding of where to go next.
MySQL convert
As a recent access to MySQL convert, I am curious to know if the latest MySQL developments are covered in this book. For example, I needed a version of MySQL which supported nested select statements for my hotels website. This is a very recent MySQL addition but one without which I would be in SQL hell!
As with any book, product development gives reference books a limited shelf-life. On the other hand, it is good to see such a book focusing on the MySQL Open Source database as well as comparing the major differences between access and other expensive and inferior RDBs.
Thank you for the review.
Lack of discussion on PHP/Perl
Looks like an interesting book, but I agree with the author that the lack of discussion on PHP/Perl and administration might be a problem for first time users.
Re: the book
> it's cheap but still, is it really worth
> the money?
It seems to me I've read it in russian translation.
Very nice book.
Good Review
Thank you for this review. While I'm pretty good in SQL, I sometimes forget JOIN syntax so this seems like this book might be a helpful companion and reference guide. I have 2 other "In Easy Steps" books and they are pretty good especially considering the low price of $10USD. I'll least look for this book the next time I'm in Barnes and Noble.
Is this advertising a book?
This should be on amaz0n.c0m.
Re: the book
> it's cheap but still, is it really worth
> the money?
>
> henrik
the book is very nice. I bought it...I like this sql book...good and fair price. More MySQL Books (www.priceoo.co.uk/c816.... My favourite Book about MySQL is High Performance MySQL
By Jeremy D. Zawodny, Derek Balling. It is not for beginners, but the best Mysql book I ever got in hands.
Ciao.
One More for the Record
Ben Forta wrote a similar book, 'Teach Yourself SQL in 10 Minutes'. It's database vendor independant and isn't "dumbed-down" as well.
--
daniel _AT_ tuggle.it (tuggle.it)
Good Review
Thanks for the book review, I'm going to be taking a SQL class this fall so this should give me a good head start.
I got it!
Cool! I got it! Thanks for the explanation!