A Guide to SQL

by Philip J. Pratt

The author uses an interesting didactic innovation that every textbook writer should consider imitating: Instead of illustrating ideas with microprograms, which are good for almost nothing except illustrating the idea, Pratt develops two examples throughout the entire book. By the time you complete this thin but comprehensive volume, you will have completed two real databases. The book also contains embedded questions so you can check whether or not you've grasped specific concepts before proceeding to the next section. Pratt's extended case studies show how SQL programs can be layered on one another other to slowly build up functionality. As such, it serves both as an SQL language manual as well as an example of how to create relatively large SQL codes. This book does not make specific reference to any particular SQL implementation, so it can be used with any standard SQL engine.

Genres: Programming, Nonfiction

203 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1990

Reviews

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

For a textbook, it had its moments. I don't think I've ever read a textbook so thoroughly in my life, so I feel justified in putting it in my GR library.

[Deborah Von cannon · Rating 2 out of 5]

Screen shot examples were very difficult to visually see. Ended up dropping the class because I could not visually see the text to get assignments done. The color scheme of content was not a good choice.

[Josephine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good for what it is: a basic introductory textbook. They concentrate on Oracle, but give a passing nod to Access and SQL Server.

[Ariyasacca]

So easy

[Punky Broomster · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid way to learn SQL. If I had to read the whole thing for school, you bet it’s going in Goodreads! 😂😂 I don’t think I’ve ever read a textbook cover to cover the way I read this. I’m glad I did!

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is only good for extremely basic SQL queries. It has examples of every single query, so it's great as a reference, but it doesn't get into anything that's slightly complicated if you wanted to build your own database. However, I've heard that there are no good intro-to-SQL books, that's they're all way too easy, like this one, or they're way too difficult to understand. I guess I could give it three stars. It's an average book.

[Autobotfireflame · Rating 5 out of 5]

Explains very well.

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice intro text. Clearly written with example code for nearly everything.

[Reza Rajkumar · Rating 3 out of 5]

All exercise in this book basically made and followed in Oracle form.
But I am not an oracle person, I can only know MS SQL and I tried 'em on MS SQL way.

[timmy33313 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great intro to SQL!