I need to REALLY learn SQL - Book recommendations please

Questions about the MySQL, PostgreSQL, and most other databases, as well as using it with PHP can be asked here.

Moderator: General Moderators

Post Reply
User avatar
Luke
The Ninja Space Mod
Posts: 6424
Joined: Fri Aug 05, 2005 1:53 pm
Location: Paradise, CA

I need to REALLY learn SQL - Book recommendations please

Post by Luke »

Alright, I've put it off for too long. I know just enough SQL to get me by, but honestly I only partly know what joins do. I'm an SQL-tard. It's time I learn it and learn it thoroughly. I'm looking for recommendations on SQL in general, but the two RDBMS's I plan on using to any extent are Mysql and Postgres. There is a small possibility I'll use SQLite, but probably not any time soon. If anybody has a good recommendation, please let me know. Thanks!
User avatar
RobertGonzalez
Site Administrator
Posts: 14293
Joined: Tue Sep 09, 2003 6:04 pm
Location: Fremont, CA, USA

Post by RobertGonzalez »

There are a ton of MySQL books out there, from developers to DBA's to System Administrator books. I have found some at Barnes and Noble, though I am sure there are some on the MySQL website. I haven't used Postgres so I cannot help you there.
User avatar
Luke
The Ninja Space Mod
Posts: 6424
Joined: Fri Aug 05, 2005 1:53 pm
Location: Paradise, CA

Post by Luke »

Well that's precisely my problem. There are SOO many books, I don't know which to choose. :(
User avatar
califdon
Jack of Zircons
Posts: 4484
Joined: Thu Nov 09, 2006 8:30 pm
Location: California, USA

Post by califdon »

I'm assuming that you are looking for an advanced SQL reference? (I can't believe the Ninja needs help with simple joins, etc.! There's ample beginners' SQL tutorials online.) Even then, there are some pretty good online tutorials. Check out http://www.smart-soft.co.uk/Oracle/adva ... part-2.htm or http://www.1keydata.com/sql/sql.html or the old standby, http://www.w3schools.com/sql/sql_join.asp.

The trouble I've had with SQL books, especially advanced ones, is that the authors are often real academics who have to pad the book with every possible feature, forcing you to read 400 pages just to learn how to do a join that could be explained in a short paragraph.
User avatar
RobertGonzalez
Site Administrator
Posts: 14293
Joined: Tue Sep 09, 2003 6:04 pm
Location: Fremont, CA, USA

Post by RobertGonzalez »

Are you looking for ways to write better queries or are you looking for administration stuff? Or both?
User avatar
Luke
The Ninja Space Mod
Posts: 6424
Joined: Fri Aug 05, 2005 1:53 pm
Location: Paradise, CA

Post by Luke »

Queries, I'm not really interested in managing the database server, although I am the proud owner of this little doozy:

http://www.amazon.com/High-Performance- ... 034&sr=8-5
User avatar
califdon
Jack of Zircons
Posts: 4484
Joined: Thu Nov 09, 2006 8:30 pm
Location: California, USA

Post by califdon »

The Ninja Space Goat wrote:Queries, I'm not really interested in managing the database server, although I am the proud owner of this little doozy:

http://www.amazon.com/High-Performance- ... 034&sr=8-5
I'm not familiar with that one. Is it good? O'Reilly books usually have good authors.
User avatar
Luke
The Ninja Space Mod
Posts: 6424
Joined: Fri Aug 05, 2005 1:53 pm
Location: Paradise, CA

Post by Luke »

It's pretty good. Short and to the point. It really isn't what I need to know though. I need to know how to write complex queries.
User avatar
RobertGonzalez
Site Administrator
Posts: 14293
Joined: Tue Sep 09, 2003 6:04 pm
Location: Fremont, CA, USA

Post by RobertGonzalez »

Is there anything on this list that could help you? Or perhaps this list?
Post Reply