MySQL Cookbook

Rating:
Summary: a nice addition to O'Reilly's Cookbook series
Review: As an experienced Oracle DBA I had a need to learn about MySQL for the development of the FmPro Migrator utility to migrate FileMaker databases to MySQL. This book enabled me to quickly learn how to perform tasks in MySQL which are equivalent to what I would perform with Oracle. Congratulations to O'Reilly and Paul DuBois for continuing the fine tradition of Cookbook series books.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent All-Around Guide To MySQL Programming
Review: I am an experienced web developer and recently started using Perl with MySQL to build database-driven CGI applications.
MySQL Cookbook by Paul DuBois turned out to be a valuable reference resource.

While the title mentions only MySQL, the book provides a great deal of solutions (and code) for using MySQL with Perl, PHP, Python and Java. If you are familiar with any of these computer languages, this book and MySQL manual is all you need to start building applications with MySQL-compatible database backend.

Rating:
Summary: The only MySQL book needed for programming my web sites
Review: I built several web sites using PHP/MySQL and the only two books I use day-to-day are "MySQL Cookbook" and "PHP Cookbook".

If you're already somewhat familiar with MySQL, this book is a great reference for the SQL and database manipulation you already know how to do. In addition, the examples push the envelope of what is possible with MySQL making it a good learning tool for becoming truly expert.

Some of the information in the book I found useful includes:

- simplifying complex SQL using temporary tables.

- using FULLTEXT searches (similar to pattern matching but more efficient and easier to code when you're looking for the same text in several columns at the same time).

- effective use of LEFT JOIN's for finding rows in one table that don't have a match in another table.

- effective use of LAST_INSERT_ID( fieldName + 1 ) for transactionally updating a numeric field without using transactions and without locking a table.

- numbering output rows using SQL variables (select @rownum := @rownum + 1; (see chapter 13.9))

I really can't say enough good things about this book. It's comprehensive, easy to read and just plain awesome.

Rating:
Summary: WELL-DONE, OR RATHER, WELL-COOKED
Review: In this "MySQL Cookbook", Paul DuBois ensured that a wide range of topics were covered. In fact, most Unix and Mac OS X users would cherish the contents of this text. Comprehensive information were presented in a very uncomplicated way. The book did advanced analysis of all MySQL-based scripts which are applicable to Java, Perl, Python and PHP. The same story goes for MySQL-based web scripts under Apache and Tomcat. It gave readers sufficient guidance to codes, using time-saving illustrative examples. However, beginners who need to start from the scratch may not appreciate this advanced approach.
In conclusion, this is a dependable text that both intermediate and advanced MySQL learners would appreciate.

Rating:
Summary: Fantastic
Review: The best thing about the book is that all you need is a rough inkling of what you want to do and you get an immediate kick start. As an added bonus, skimming quickly through the entire book is a great refresher course if you are at all rusty. Any additional details you can get from Paul Dubois' equally excellent MySQL book (New Riders 2000). Handily wins five stars!

Rating:
Summary: Fantastic
Review: The best thing about the book is that all you need is a rough inkling of what you want to do and you get an immediate kick start. As an added bonus, skimming quickly through the entire book is a great refresher course if you are at all rusty. Any additional details you can get from Paul Dubois' equally excellent MySQL book (New Riders 2000). Handily wins five stars!

Rating:
Summary: A Hand-on guide to MySQL
Review: There are many databases out there. MySQL is one of the better ones. It's a free (for personal use) database system which can be easily integrated into a web application on virtually any system. It has supports most of the standard feature found in most database system and has quiet a few features unique to MySQL. This particular book is a good reference for the experienced user as well as for new comers and as an added bonus even covers MySQL 4.0.

This is book was my first introduction to O'Reilly's cookbook series. It provides solutions to some of the most common challenged faced by the particular subject being covered (in this case MySQL). I thoroughly enjoyed it and was quiet impressed with it. Too many technical books simply introduce the concept without relating it to real world applications.

This particular book introduces all of the most basic concepts of database manipulation (table creation, data insertion, data deletion, data update). As well as writing simple and advanced SQL statements to retrieve data. It approaches database design using 4 of the most popular languages (Perl, PHP, Python and Java). These are only a few of the many possible languages which can be used to manipulate a MySQL database.

MySQL cookbook touches on a variety of different topics which I don't have the space or time to cover in detail, but here is a list of them:

* Handeling duplicates
* MySQL on the Web
* Processing Web input with MySQL
* Using MySQL-based Web Session Management

One of my favorite topics covered in the book is the idea of storing binary data such as images within a database. Although not ideal for most cases (unless you need fast access to a vast array of images), just the idea of it has a certain kewlness effect.

Well, overall I give it 4 out of 5 stars. It needs to touch slightly more on the basic concepts of databases, and it can become the only book you'll ever need for MySQL.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent Style!
Review: This book is full of examples. This is perfect for a learn-by-example programmer like me. It makes a handy reference, too. He has examples and tips for just about everything the typical MySQL coder would ever need to do. Excellent reference - I highly recommend it.

Rating:
Summary: Incredibly Useful
Review: This book is well done, clearly written and sensibly organized. I read the same author's New Riders Book on MySQL and found it similarly useful; but if you've already got all the theory down, this may well be the only MySQL book you'll need. Wish I'd had it a few years ago.