Anyone who interacts with today's modern databases needs to know SQL (Structured Query Language), the standard language for generating, manipulating, and retrieving database information. In recent years, the dramatic rise in the popularity of relational databases and multi-user databases has fueled a healthy demand for application developers and others who can write SQL code efficiently and correctly.

If you're new to databases, or need a SQL refresher, Learning SQL on SQL Server 2005 is an ideal step-by-step introduction to this database query tool, with everything you need for programming SQL using Microsoft's SQL Server 2005-one of the most powerful and popular database engines used today. Plenty of books explain database theory. This guide lets you apply the theory as you learn SQL. You don't need prior database knowledge, or even prior computer knowledge.

Based on a popular university-level course designed by authors Sikha Saha Bagui and Richard Walsh Earp, Learning SQL on SQL Server 2005 starts with very simple SQL concepts, and slowly builds into more complex query development. Every topic, concept, and idea comes with examples of code and output, along with exercises to help you gain proficiency in SQL and SQL Server 2005. With this book, you'll learn:

• Beginning SQL commands, such as how and where to type an SQL query, and how to create, populate, alter and delete tables

• How to customize SQL Server 2005's settings and about SQL Server 2005's functions

• About joins, a common database mechanism for combining tables

• Query development, the use of views and other derived structures, and simple set operations

• Subqueries, aggregate functions and correlated subqueries, as well as indexes and constraints that can be added to tables in SQL Server 2005

Whether you're an undergraduate computer science or MIS student, a self-learner who has access to the new Microsoft database, or work for your company's IT department, Learning SQL on SQL Server 2005 will get you up to speed on SQL in no time.

Amazon.com® Reader Reviews (Ranked by Helpfulness)

Average Amazon.com® Rating:  Based on 12 Ratings

Where the beef?? - 2008-05-29
Reviewer Rating:
Wow...it is amazing the difference between 2 sites reviews - if you go to O'Reilly's site (yes the publisher) scroed it much lower - you would think you were reading reviews of a different book. This was one of the poorest books I have read in several years - and I really hate saying that as I was *highly* looking forward to this book.

My complaints are:

1. Review questions at the end of each chapter but no answers to the reviews or questions at the end of each chapter - not even online. How do we know if we got them right or not?
2. Huge missing holes of important stuff -- some obvious holes include:
a. Triggers - pretty nice things to know about
b. Procedures
c. Functions (this is about Transact-SQL)
d. Security (at least touch on pre-packaged permission roles)
e. Data locks or anything related to maintaining data integrity
d. error handling

3. Obscure examples that left me scratching my head going "OK, I can see HOW you do this but why would you WANT to?"
4. The phrase "this is beyond the scope of this book" was repeated WAY too many times -- what IS in the scope of the book if not stored procedures and functions, triggers, setting permissions, and other very basic SQL 2005 topics.

There is some good intro to SLQ stuff here well paced and well written -- but it is in NO way money well spent if you are wanting to learn the in's and out's of SQL server 2005.

The back of the book states that it is an "excellent introduction to the SQL language and database concepts" -- but yet the book does not even touch on the subject of database normalization - the very definition of "basic database concept" when talking about RDBS.

I had just finished a "dummies" book that was much more complete and cost half as much.

Just so you know, I don't make a habit of down playing many books -- I love and collect tech books -

I have an extensive library of books (many O'Reilly)
I DID read the entire book cover to cover, while working through the examples in front of my computer

I feel I gave this book a very fair chance and was let down.

Please feel free to correct or address any of my above points if you feel they are in error and I will reconsider this review.

Sorry...but I suggest moving on.

Joe

I only rated it on 1 star instead of two because of the fairly high price. If you can get it cheaper used - go for it...

Excellent Book - 2008-09-03
Reviewer Rating:
I started reading this book two days ago and i was totally a novice at programming in SQL. I am now writing JOIN statements that i would never have thought possible and i'm looking forward to going even further while reading this book. It is a great book and easy to follow. I highly recommend this book.

Not a good book for learning SQL server (or SQL) - 2008-11-12
Reviewer Rating:
The only reason I bought this book was because it was being used in a class in 2007, the only positive thing I can say is that it was cheap for a textbook.
I saw the absurdly glowing reviews and felt the need to stop anyone else before purchasing the book.

In summary, this book is a complete rehash of one of the authors earlier books covering Oracle. Some of the Questions even mention Oracle instead of SQL server.
There are numerous other better books out there for learning SQL server, that actually
cover the things you need to learn.

Good Intro to Microsofts SQL Server - 2008-08-04
Reviewer Rating:
I gave this book 4 stars as it's not intended for a complete novice to Relational Databases, but it still can you get you up and running. Also the book is laid out in a textbook or coursebook type manner so it can be applicable to a teaching setting and not a bulky bible like many SQL references that are out there.

Workman-like Overview of SQL - 2008-07-14
Reviewer Rating:
I was looking for a book to refresh my SQL skills and settled on Learning SQL on SQL Server after reading the many positive reviews. It sounded like just what I was looking for. My expectations took a downward turn after working through the first few chapters of the book. While the book is technically competent, the way that SQL is presented is lifeless. Working through the book is a trudge with few pleasant stops on the journey. You will learn SQL if you read through the text and work the exercises, but don't expect to have much fun on the way.

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