The SQL Guide to Oracle

by Rick F. van der Lans

This book provides a practical and comprehensive tutorial on SQL, covering version 6.0 of ORACLE. It examines every aspect of SQL including creating tables, specifying primary and foreign keys,... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0201565455
• ISBN13: 9780201565454
• Release Date: January 1991
• Publisher: Addison-Wesley Professional
• Length: 540 Pages
• Weight: 1.85 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.3" x 6.3" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

Third time's a charm.

This is the third time I've bought this book. I have used it since I first found it over 10 years ago to teach new DBA's, programmers, and users the basics of SQL as well as advanced topics. While the SQL standard hasn't changed that much since the book was written, I do wish there was an updated version. By the way, in addition to the three copies I've purchased for myself (they end up disappearing), I've had every employer I've ever worked for buy copies. The material is clear and easy to learn and worth the money.

Best technical book I've ever used by far

I had the original, generic SQL version of this book (now out-of-print) and gave it to another developer. I bought this SQL for Oracle edition to replace it.When I first got this, I had NO idea how to write even the simplest SQL statement (well, maybe the easiest). But thanks to this book -- and only this book -- I'm a real whiz at it now and did all of my company's database programming for years. How many times can you learn an entire computer language with just ONE BOOK?!?The author over-achieves something that most others fail at: he teaches all aspects of the language through sensible examples and straightforward explanations. The book is an invaluable resource for beginners through to advanced developers. There is no fluff anywhere in the book...just very efficient examples and explanations. So if you are used to Dummies guides or 21-day guides, you might find this book a bit terse. But I still think it is a fantastic choice for beginners.In all, I cannot recommend any computer book more highly than this one.

Exceptional but a little outdated...

The book contains many examples, more then other SQL books that I have read. The book covers a lot of nested queries, sub-quries and co-related queries using EXISTS, ALL operators. It is a little out-dated but still serve my purpose which is to become proficient in SQL. I would buy a second edition if one exists for Oracle 7 or 8.

When will this book be updated for Oracle 7 and 8?

I have found this book the only useful book on using SQLPlus. In fact, it was the ONLY book on SQLPlus that I have found anywhere. It has exactly what I need. However, the book only covers Oracle 6.x, which is a bit outdated. Are there any plans for new editions of the title?

Strength of book is the many examples

This book has proven to be extremely useful for learning as well as reference. The focus is on SQL, rather than Oracle. It is logically organized, clearly written and full of examples. The index could be more complete, but the overall layout of the book still makes it very easy to use.