Rating: 
Summary: Excellent reference!
Review: SQL has always seemed to be a complicated topic to broach, especially if one has no way of practicing with it. mySQL being an open-source implementation of it makes it possible to experiment with it without breaking your bank account; still, I found the packages and other options confusing. Therefore, I picked up this book, hoping to get my ideas straight.This book does not disappoint. I was able to install a simple webserver (Apache), mySQL and PHP based on the instructions in the appendix, and got to playing with it in a very short time. And the things I can do with it! I plan to gain more proficiency with this, and then start implementing ideas from "Translucent Databases" by Peter Wayner, using Java and mySQL. Without a doubt, this book is masterful and an excellent source for a beginner, and a great reference for more advanced users.
Rating: 
Summary: it is basically the mysql free reference
Review: I found all the information are there in MySQL reference which is free if you download from mysql web site.
It is OK to have but the instruction was wrong if you install the windows version of MySQL server.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent
Review: Most of the time, to have a good knowledge about something doesn't mean you can teach it properly. Because to teach something requires a lot of different abilities. To play basketball very good does not make you a good coach. That's why most of the tecnichal books about computers, even for the beginner ones, are so confusing. Because most of the writers are professional programmers but not teachers. They don't have the ability to make communication with readers (students), and understand their needs. They don't have the ability to teach something they know. They don't have the knowledge of the educational psychology. But Dubois is different. He is a writer, instructor, teacher, professional programmer. He knows every question you possibly will ask, and have answers and examples for everyone of them. This is the best technical book I have ever read, even for me (I am not a native English speaker). Highly recommended for MySQL beginners
Rating:
Summary: One of the best technical books I own
Review: I have the first edition of this book, and I have to say it's one of the best-written books in my very extensive collection of technical books. It's hard to explain why, but I'd have to say that it's easy to read straight through. The organization is such that he never introduces something and then says "but you'll have to wait till chapter 99 to learn about that." Each part builds exclusively on what comes before. He also is just a good technical writer. Not very many people can be an expert in a subject *and* communicate with absolute clarity to others. I have written a lot of technical stuff myself and I'm in absolute awe of the man.
Rating: 
Summary: Confusing at first but a good reference
Review: Although I had experience with MySQL before reading this book, the format was a bit daunting at first. I think that the book has some great arcane tips and tricks and really breaks down MySQL to a level that anyone can understand (given a little prior programming or internet experience). My only complaint is that while the several chapters devoted to C, PHP, and Perl interacting with MySQL was a good idea, I think that those subjects deserve separate texts in their own right and could not be fully covered in only a chapter or two. They do though, provide a good jumping point for anyone looking to use those languages with MySQL. Overall, a solid reference text which could use some work.
Rating:
Summary: Good description of Mysql
Review: I found the book to be very good introduction and description of Mysql. I also think the Detailed Command and Data Structure Appendixes are great. Saves my having to open my browser and flip through the manual on-line to figure out how to do something. The book was also a good introduction on how to think about setting up a database. Probably would need more experience to do something really involved but it helped me think about setting up and Family address application.
Rating:
Summary: The Best Comprehensive Guide for MySQL Users
Review: Paul has created a meticulous and well-considered book that is the best overall guide to MySQL available. The book focuses on practical and pragmatic usage of MySQL, but rarely does so at the expense of technical depth. In particular, I am impressed by the clarity and usefulness of the introductory chapters that are targeted at readers new to databases. This section gives non-technical users the knowledge and experience needed to make productive use of a database very quickly. I believe that writing high-quality introductory material is one of the greatest challenges for technical authors and Paul has done an excellent job.
Rating:
Summary: Best MySQL Book
Review: I bought this book some time ago as a php and mysql developer, to learn MySQL better. It is a very good book because the writer is also the programmer (lead programmer - he wrote the most of it) of MySQL. It contains what you'd expect it to contain: Both the theory and the solid code you'll need in many situations. It also explains uses of MySQL with other languages besides PHP and explains the API's pretty well. It also has a section on managing MySQL on a webserver, how to backup properly, and MySQL security - not only for the programmer but for the system admin managing users and backups. It also contains a function reference appendix which, when properly used, is quite useful. It is suitable as an intro level book as well, it DOES explain the basics and IS aimed for the beginner with zero knowledge. It will teach you MySQL but you might have to check some spesific tutorials online for spesific code you might want to use in projects - this book is not a cookbook, I don't think they intended it to be either. All in all, this book deserves its 5 stars - and keep handy Kevin Yank's hands-on applied tutorial to apply it to your projects.
Rating:
Summary: Best book on details about MYSQL
Review: This book have a very understandable language.
Covers all aspects of MySQL and have particular attention on details that are usualy forgothen by authors (how to choose a column datatype, index or not a column, what kind of advantages and advantages for using any of the options).
Fantastic.
Rating:
Summary: Great reference and self-training
Review: This book has gotten me out of many sticky situations. It covers the basics and covers many functions/ideas that the other mysql books didn't. in fact it helped me resolve an issue on a project that I had. worth the money, the authors get down and dirty but isn't so abstract that only dba's would understand.
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