Product ReviewsBooks
ISBN 0764540750 Structured query language (SQL) is what drives many of the world's biggest database systems. Larry Ellison made himself a billionaire selling an implementation of it (Oracle). And SQL is permeating increasingly into smaller systems. Most of our custom software is based on a client/server file system called Nexus and this allows us to use SQL in two different ways. The first is directly through the Nexus data browser, which gives access to data tables via a spreadsheet-like interface; the second is by embedding SQL commands directly into our Delphi code, enabling us to extract and manipulate data. SQL is slightly unusual as a programming language in being non-procedural. Unlike BASIC, Pascal or C there are no loops, branches
SQL is powerful and the statements can contain much subtlety. I need to improve my understanding of it so rather than leap in with the biggest, most complex book I can find, I want to start small and simple and master the basics first. SQL for Dummies is just the thing. Allen G Taylor takes you through the essentials of database types, SQL history, SQL organisation and a description of what you can and cannot do with it. He shows how to set up databases with SQL, manage and update the information held in tables, apply security and extract data so you can see the information contained therein. If you have access to Access, and many of us have, then you have a tool that understands SQL so you can practise what you learn. Many of Taylor's worked examples work for Access, making this the easiest place for you to start. Nevertheless, the tone of the book is non-product specific, so what you learn should be easily transportable from one environment to another. If you want or have a career in IT and you don't know about SQL, then adding SQL skills increases your employability - and SQL for Dummies will help you acquire those skills. By David Robinson |
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