Book Description
'SQL in easy steps' instructs the reader how to create and administer databases using the Structured Query Language (SQL). SQL is THE standard language used world-wide for database communication on all popular database software. It allows the storage and manipulation of data both on Windows platforms and on Unix-based platforms, such as Linux. The book contains exciting chapters on how to selectively extract data from within one, or more, databases and there are complete examples that illustrate each aspect of SQL.
More Information...
'SQL in easy steps' begins by explaining how to download and install the free MySQL database server on both Windows and Linux platforms. This allows the reader to establish an environment in which to develop and administer their own databases. This book makes no assumption that the reader will have previous knowledge of any programming or scripting language so it's ideal for the newcomer to SQL. Each chapter builds the reader's knowledge of executing database queries. By the end of this book the reader will have gained a sound understanding of the Structured Query Language and be able to write their own SQL scripts to insert, extract and manipulate data.
'SQL in easy steps' has an easy-to-follow style that will appeal to anyone who wants to begin using databases. It will appeal to web developers wanting to add database interaction to their web sites. It will appeal to the programmer who quickly wants to add SQL to their skills set. It will appeal to the hobbyist who wants to begin creating SQL scripts for upload to their own ISP. It will appeal to the student, and to those seeking a career in computing, who need a fundamental understanding of database administration with SQL.
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[ Book Description | Book Contents | About the Author | Downloads | Related Titles ]
Book Contents
1 Introducing SQL [...]
What is SQL?
Making SQL queries
Installing MySQL on Windows
Installing MySQL on Linux
Installing an ODBC driver
Microsoft query tool
Summary
9 Generating calculated fields [...]
Concatenating fields
Trimming padding spaces
Using aliases
Making arithmetical calculations
Summary
2 Getting started with SQL [...]
Introducing databases
Exploring databases
Creating a database
Deleting a database
Running SQL scripts in MySQL
Summary 10 Manipulating data [...]
Introducing functions
Text functions
Numeric functions
Date and time functions
System functions
Summary
3 Creating a database table [...]
Exploring database tables
Creating a table
Deleting a table
Table data types
Table field modifiers
Setting the primary key
Altering a table
Summary 11 Grouping table data [...]
Finding summary values
Counting rows
Discovering total values
Working with distinct values
Creating data groups
Filtering grouped data
Sorting filtered group data
Summary
4 Inserting data into tables [...]
Inserting complete rows
Including a columns list
Inserting selected data
Updating data
Changing specific data
Deleting data
Summary
12 Making complex queries [...]
Using sub-queries
Sub-query calculated fields
Combining queries
Handling duplicate rows
Sorting combined query results
Summary
5 Retrieving data from tables [...]
Retrieving a column
Retrieving multiple columns
Retrieving a row
Copying retrieved data
Inserting multiple selected fields
Summary 13 Joining database tables [...]
What are joins ?
Creating a join
Joining multiple tables
Creating self joins
Creating natural joins
Creating outer joins
Summary
6 Sorting retrieved data [...]
Sorting a column
Sorting multiple columns
Sorting by column position
Setting the sort direction
Summary
14 Reference section [...]
SQL statements
SQL reserved words
7 Simple data filtering [...]
Making comparisons
Comparing a single value
Comparing a range of values
Seeking non-matches
Finding null values
Summary 15 Index
8 Complex data filtering [...]
Comparing multiple values
Comparing alternative values
Comparing alternative lists
Specifying the evaluation order
Matching strings
Matching characters
Matching regular expressions
Summary
About the Author
Mike McGrath lives in North-West England, close to Manchester, with his wife, Linda, and their two sons, Andrew and David. Mike gained his extensive knowledge of computer languages while working as a developer contracting to companies around the world. His interests include coins of ancient Greece, camping trips and dining-out.
