SQL Bible

Rating:
Summary: Great book
Review: A darker print would make this book easier to read. I agree that this is an excellent source for how to do things in SQL.

Know that the DB2 on the CD rom is past the deadline for being operational.

Rating:
Summary: Starts from scratch
Review: An excellent, easy to follow text. While I had known SQL prior to this, it is not a necessity for anyone. The author is skilled at covering all the salient points of SQL, and gives plenty of clear examples.

I recommend it to anyone who needs a thorough education in SQL. It will take you some time to get thru it. Sheer size of the book. But well worth your time.

Alois

Rating:
Summary: Non-Comprehensive Review
Review: I bought this book because it was cheaper than 'SQL: The Complete Reference' and I am using it mainly as a reference tool, syntax, structure, inner/outer joins (I always forget how it works), etc.

I needed to do an Update and wanted to find out the correct structure and looked it up in the Index, which had this listing:

'updating. See modifying'

I am being picky, but I would expect the index to have an actual page reference to the Update Statement, instead of having to go to another section. I am concerned about other short comings within the book.

Rating:
Summary: Good to read... difficult to reference
Review: I found this book easy to follow and informative. I do have issues with the book's index. I am 60% of the time having to recall where I read about certain topics as certain keywords are not found logically in the index. There are good tables in the appendices though that I do reference often. On a whole I have found everything that I have needed as far as information goes, it just takes a bit longer to find it in this book.

Rating:
Summary: Good to read... difficult to reference
Review: I found this book easy to follow and informative. I do have issues with the book's index. I am 60% of the time having to recall where I read about certain topics as certain keywords are not found logically in the index. There are good tables in the appendices though that I do reference often. On a whole I have found everything that I have needed as far as information goes, it just takes a bit longer to find it in this book.

Rating:
Summary: Great SQL book!
Review: I picked up this book because of unparalleled comparative coverage of SQL amongst RDBMS implementations (SQL Server / DB2 / ORACLE); and I am programming for all these, plus Access and FoxPro. If you need to get up to the speed working in heterogeneous database environments - get this book!

Rating:
Summary: Excellent book to learn SQL and RDBMS concepts
Review: I was not interested in learning just SQL per se, I also wanted to get some RDBMS experience. This is what had drawn my attention to SQL Bible: it concentrates on three major RDBMS packages (with all due respect, I can't imagine making decent living with Open Source databases like MySQL : ) ), makes comparisons, explains THEIR implementations - just what I needed (do not believe anyone who tells you that ANSI SQL is all you need to know to work in the field!) I installed DB2 Personal Edition (included with the book), and the installation was a snap! All I had to do was to follow very detailed and clear instructions in Appendix D; again, following instructions I have created a database and installed all authors scripts. The scripts were in the place where the book says they should, and I have not encountered a single problem running them... I was pleasantly surprised because this is where the most books fail: missing files, confusing "best-case-scenario" instructions... Not here! It's a shame that Oracle 9i installation was not included; I had to download it separately following instructions in the book (p.638.) Oracle 9i takes over 1.5 GB of space - 3 (!) CDs. It took me awhile, even with my cable connection speed... The only glitch I found so far was that the CD claims to contain MS SQL Server, but has DB2 8.1 for Windows instead (just as it says on the book's back cover.)

Rating:
Summary: The SQL Bible Rocks!
Review: I was to choose between "SQL Complete" and this book. I ended up buying both, and now "SQL Complete" goes right back to the store :)

The SQL Bible offers comprehensive coverage not only SQL standard, but all its major dialects: kinda important when you need to get a job done in the real world.

Would be even better if SQL Server 2000 evaluation was included...

Rating:
Summary: DB2 software on CD-ROM expired Nov 2004
Review: So far the book itself looks good, but the trial version of IBM DB2 on the CD-ROM expired in Nov of 2004 according to page 611 (conveniently not mentioned on the book cover). The artwork on the CD-ROM itself claims that the CD-ROM has a trial version of MS SQL Server 2000 but if it is on there I can't find it.
IBM does have a trial version of DB2 available for download from their website.

Rating:
Summary: Top SQL99 reference for DB2 8.1, Oracle9i, MS SQL 2000
Review: The best reference for the SQL99 standard. Each SQL command is provided first by syntax followed by its variations for DB2 8.1, Oracle 9i and SQL server 2000 making the book a ONE STOP SHOP. An example in code form is included for the command being referred to. Whenever there is a custom feature of a command for a given RDBMS (say Oracle 9i) that does not exist in another (say SQL server 2000) the author will try to show you a work around in obtaining that unavailable feature if possible. The CD Rom included with the book comes with DB2 V8.1 (personal edition for windows) and most importunately the PDF version of the book as well. Thoughtfully organized into basic concepts, DDL, DML, Transactions and more. Good for Intermediate plus or a smart Junior programmer.