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Is your data dragging you down? Are your tables all tangled up? Well we've got the tools to teach you just how to wrangle your databases into submission. Using the latest research in neurobiology, cognitive science, and learning theory to craft a multi-sensory SQL learning experience, Head First SQL has a visually rich format designed for the way your brain works, not a text-heavy approach that puts you to sleep.
Maybe you've written some simple SQL queries to interact with databases. But now you want more, you want to really dig into those databases and work with your data. Head First SQL will show you the fundamentals of SQL and how to really take advantage of it. We'll take you on a journey through the language, from basic INSERT statements and SELECT queries to hardcore database manipulation with indices, joins, and transactions. We all know "Data is Power" - but we'll show you how to have "Power over your Data". Expect to have fun, expect to learn, and expect to be querying, normalizing, and joining your data like a pro by the time you're finished reading!
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How to use this Book: Intro
Chapter 1: Data and Tables: A place for everything
Chapter 2: The SELECT Statement: Gifted data retrieval
Chapter 3: DELETE and UPDATE: A change will do you good
Chapter 4: Smart Table Design: Why be normal?
Chapter 5: Alter: Rewriting the Past
Chapter 6: Advanced Select: Seeing your data with new eyes
Chapter 7: Multi-Table Database Design: Outgrowing your table
Chapter 8: Joins and Multi-Table Operations: Can’t we all just get along?
Chapter 9: Subqueries: Queries within queries
Chapter 10: Outer Joins, Self-Joins, and Unions: New maneuvers
Chapter 11: Constraints, Views, and Transactions: Too many cooks spoil the database
Chapter 12: Security: Protecting your assets
Leftovers: The Top Ten Topics (we didn’t cover)
MySQL Installation: Try it out for yourself
Tools Roundup: All your new SQL tools
I was looking for a good exposure to SQL programming and it's uses as most Marketing Jobs now ask if you know anything about SQL.
What surprised me was the layout of this book and the very friendly layout. I can easily see this book as the standard text for a high school, or college intro to SQL course!
I have already bought the PHP & MySQL book from Head First and will probably keep adding other volumes to my reference desk.
Anonymous
Posted Sat Nov 10 00:00:00 EST 2007
I like developing programs, making computers do cool things: Especially things that humans find boring, repetitive or difficult to accomplish without error. However, I have never quite found the time to really delve into SQL. Why should I? SQL is boring. Right? You cannot make it say 'Hello World.' I knew how to write your basic SELECT statement after all: Using SELECT in ADO code is pretty much all you need. Right? Turns out that learning SQL can be made engaging. And fun'?'. I mean, a database including Jan Brady, smallmouth bass and Mr. Hobo the clown can only be... thought provoking, to say the least! Yet, by the end of 'Head First SQL,' you have a very solid understanding of the language, and realize how powerful SQL actually is. This book also teaches relational database theory, in a thorough, but very interesting way. You begin making tables haphazardly, and then use these incorrect tables to learn advanced SELECT techniques, such as using SUBSTRING commands to fill new, normalized tables. As I contemplate returning to school to either pursue a Masters in Computer Science or merely get a few MS certifications, the Head First books seem to be great introductions to unfamiliar or half-remembered territory. The Head First approach is unique, visual, interactive, very goofy 'think 'Electric Company' for adults', and ultimately very effective. Unlike the infamous Dummies books, these books use shenanigans to actually teach you the underlying concepts in a very memorable way. This book is a solid investment for anyone wanting to learn 'and actually understand' SQL and databases in general.
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Posted Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 EDT 2007
I've tried to learn SQL many times, but other books are so dry that I catch myself falling asleep. This one is actually interesting! It's got tons of graphics that actually help you see what's going on, instead of page after page of text like the others have. A picture really is worth a thousand boring words. More than worth them. One of the best things about the book is it gets into the WHY you should design your tables a certain way. I'd heard of Normal form before, but now I actually understand it. Great book. If you need to learn SQL, buy it. It's worth it. Although if you need a reference, buy something else.
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Overview
Is your data dragging you down? Are your tables all tangled up? Well we've got the tools to teach you just how to wrangle your databases into submission. Using the latest research in neurobiology, cognitive science, and learning theory to craft a multi-sensory SQL learning experience, Head First SQL has a visually rich format designed for the way your brain works, not a text-heavy approach that puts you to sleep.
Maybe you've written some ...