Rating: 
Summary: Well structured but contains many errors
Review: I bought this book about 2 months ago. The book is well organized and it follows the sequence of objectives of oracle 9i sql exam. It is very easy to read and in a very good format. Even though it didn't cover everything for all new 9i features, it is a good study guide.However, as a study guide the contents are supposed to be very accurate and precise. I found many mistakes on this book and on the exercises. Sometimes I felt I had to do further research to clear things up.
Rating: 
Summary: Both frustrating and helpful
Review: I got this book with OCP Oracle9i DBA Certification Boxed Set, so I didn't specifically select it based on skimming at a bookstore. Yes, it has errors. Errors notwithstanding (and there are many), this book has helped me greatly during my OCP training. However, it's important to know what there are errors, and to read the errata, else you will question your own sanity. To be fair, the book has proven more helpful than not, especially since the OCP course I am taking is fast-paced and the instructor tends to gloss over information that is more important that I realized in class. Be aware of the fact that this book does have errors, make sure you read the errata and you'll find it quite helpful.
Rating:
Summary: Helpful, With Errata Corrections
Review: I studied this book in detail. I passed the exam with 82%...
It gives good info, but I found several key errors.
Recommend looking at oracle docs and running examples in SQL Plus. A few questions on the test were not mentioned in the book (as far as I can tell), but overall it helped me pass. Also, reading the "Tips" is good, but some of the key points are burried in the text. I recommend it, but you need the corrections ... And augment with oracle server docs, especially on outer join topics.
Rating:
Summary: Hmmmmm
Review: I used this book to pass the first 9i exam. It gives a good coverage of the core concepts tested in the exam and does provide enough information to pass (just). The reader does need to keep in mind that there are a large number of errors (many that the online errata does not cover). However, to ensure a good score in the exam I would supplement this book with a more detailed guide (how about the Oracle provided documentation on SQL 1600 pages and sure covers everything possibly covered in the exam if you can stay awake long enough to read it!)
Rating:
Summary: It helped me through the exam
Review: I used this book to pass the SQL exam. It isn't to teach you SQL, but to prepare you for the exam. It has good sample questions that are a lot like the questions on the exam, and it helped me, I passed.
Rating: 
Summary: Wretched horrible abomination
Review: I've been doing hardcore plsql development in an HR system environment for about 5 years now, and have just decided to get certified. My oracle sql experience is advanced. Trust me when I say this book is garbage. How it made it off the editors desk is beyond me. Here are some of the flaws that simply make my blood boil:
FLAW#1:
The review questions are completely ridculous and often do not make sense. Heres a sample question:
"Q: This phrase represents a multi-table query where the WHERE clause is poorly defined.
A: Cartesian Product"
How ridiculous is that??? A poorly defined WHERE clause could mean anything! A cartesian product is the result of the absence of a join resulting in all rows from both tables being joined together which is actually supported in ANSI in 9i see:CROSS JOIN, and furthermore 9i introduces ANSI-SQL1999 joins, which are written in the FROM clause!! There are dozens of vague or incorrect q&a in this book. FLAW#2:
Table and row locks are covered in a single 10 line paragraph. Enough said? FLAW#3:
SET TRANSACTION is a powerful statement, but he gives absolutely no example of usage. He goes as far as to give you the syntax. WEAK! FLAW#4:
Subqueries have long been defined as "SCALAR" "NESTED" "CORRELATED" and FROM Clause subqueries are called "IN-LINE VIEWS". He doesn't define subqueries this way, and his definitions are very odd and vague, you'll especially like the review questions for which theres more than one answer, but he prefers one answer better than the other, but doesn't state why. Keyword: Multi-Column subquery. FLAW#5:
Where did all the functions go??? Oracle has a multitude of linear regression functions, NLS, timestamp, interval, etc etc functions that are not covered here. He doesn't even mention the new datatypes such as timestamp and INTERVAL types! To SUM() it all up, this book is a wretched piece of trash. Oracle apparently released it without editing it whatsoever. If this is your only study material god save your soul. Do yourself a favor and pick up the SYBEX book for this exam. Good luck!
Rating: 
Summary: Not enough to pass the exam with alone
Review: I've just taken the Oracle 9i SQL section of the DBA track, after having only read this book, and using Oracle 9i somewhat. I scored a 65% (passing was 70%). This book covered about 70% of the material that was on the test. In order to pass the test, you would need to have mastered every aspect of the book. Mind you, that would only get you a 70. You will need additional resources in order to score higher than that. I gave this book more than 1 star because, used in conjunction with other books, it is a useful resource. However, because of its lack of enough information to pass the exam, and also the clear laziness the editors showed when editing the book. There are several errors, some providing contradictary information. Others were minor typographical errors, but quite unprofessional. Overall, it is a useful book, but make sure this isn't the only book you buy.
Rating:
Summary: Recipe for Failure on the Oracle9i Exam: Introduction to SQL
Review: If any one relied on this book, which says it is an exam guide, and took the exam, there is a very good chance that he or she will fail. I tried to contact oracle press regarding the abyssmal content of the book, because a bunch of my Oracle 9i students complained about the book and a few of them failed the Oracle 9i: Introduction to SQL exam depending entirely on this book. People at oracle press are probably flooded with such complaints and that is why they are not getting back to complaining customers. If some one wants to use this book, all I can say is GOOD LUCK!!!
Rating: 
Summary: Decent Study Guide
Review: It had some errors here and there, but the book was well written, and was easy to sift through. Out of the three Oracle Press books I have read on 9i certification, this is probably the best in the series.
Rating:
Summary: How to make big $$$$ with Oracle Official Authorization
Review: Jason Couchman must be laughing his head off on his own private island. Slap together a book full of mistakes (scripts that don't work, INCORRECT information, inane opinions,) and get it reviewed by his kindergarten kids. Get a buddy at Oracle to whack "Officially Authorized Oracle Press" on it.... then watch the dollars flow in. He didn't even both updating reference to ora81 directories. Shame on you Jason. I thought Nigerian e-mail scams were bad, but this book is just a cruel rip-off of people wanting to get somewhere in life. Shame on you Oracle for giving it your blessing. I may pass the exam but books such as this will not help me become a competent Oracle DBA.
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