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SQL Queries for Mere Mortals: A Hands-On Guide to Data Manipulation in SQL
The #1 Easy, Common-Sense Guide to SQL Queries--Updated for Today's Databases, Standards, and Challenges "SQL Queries for Mere Mortals""(R)" has earned worldwide praise as the clearest, simplest tutorial on writing effective SQL queries. The authors have updated this hands-on classic to reflect new SQL standards and database applications and teach valuable new techniques. Step by step, John L. Viescas and Michael J. Hernandez guide you through creating reliable queries for virtually any modern SQL-based database. They demystify all aspects of SQL query writing, from simple data selection and filtering to joining multiple tables and modifying sets of data. Three brand-new chapters teach you how to solve a wide range of challenging SQL problems. You'll learn how to write queries that apply multiple complex conditions on one table, perform sophisticated logical evaluations, and think "outside the box" using unlinked tables. Coverage includes-- Getting started: understanding what relational databases are, and ensuring that your database structures are sound-- SQL basics: using SELECT statements, creating expressions, sorting information with ORDER BY, and filtering data using WHERE-- Summarizing and grouping data with GROUP BY and HAVING clauses-- Drawing data from multiple tables: using INNER JOIN, OUTER JOIN, and UNION operators, and working with subqueries-- Modifying data sets with UPDATE, INSERT, and DELETE statements Advanced queries: complex NOT and AND, conditions, if-then-else using CASE, unlinked tables, driver tables, and more Practice all you want with downloadable sample databases for today's versions of Microsoft Office Access, Microsoft SQL Server, and the open source MySQL database. Whether you're a DBA, developer, user, or student, there's no better way to master SQL. informit.com/awforMereMortals.com
760 pages, Paperback
First published September 24, 2007
181 people are currently reading
466 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
October 7, 2016
Thorough book reviewing basic to advanced SQL queries. I went through several resources found online (for free) before reading this but I still found a few details that I wasn't aware of that helped me better understand SQL syntax and structure.
I would still recommend anyone learning from scratch to use online interactive resources first since you get immediate feedback/output of what you're trying to query. This book is still useful as a high-level formal overview. There are plenty of complete examples that can be done if desired (I didn't go through any of them).
The one thing that tripped me up slightly was the chapter on cross joins. Cross joins can be written as "FROM tableA CROSS JOIN tableB " or "FROM tableA, table B". The book uses the latter more frequently but when they reference the cross join, they state "CROSS JOIN". It would have been more clear if they explicitly stated that they'll be using the notation "FROM tableA, table B" for their cross joins. However this was really the only issue I had with the book, and as I mentioned earlier it's quite thorough!
I would still recommend anyone learning from scratch to use online interactive resources first since you get immediate feedback/output of what you're trying to query. This book is still useful as a high-level formal overview. There are plenty of complete examples that can be done if desired (I didn't go through any of them).
The one thing that tripped me up slightly was the chapter on cross joins. Cross joins can be written as "FROM tableA CROSS JOIN tableB " or "FROM tableA, table B". The book uses the latter more frequently but when they reference the cross join, they state "CROSS JOIN". It would have been more clear if they explicitly stated that they'll be using the notation "FROM tableA, table B" for their cross joins. However this was really the only issue I had with the book, and as I mentioned earlier it's quite thorough!
March 4, 2010
This is a good reference book, the only thing missing (that I've noticed so far) is an index. I started writing an index for it; time will tell if I ever finish it.
December 5, 2014
The book is starts from the basics, giving the reader a background to databases and building a foundation for absolute beginners. It focuses only on data manipulation language (DML), which is a set of SQL statements used for retrieving, updating or removing data from a database.
The book is divided into four parts and structured in sequential order, starting with an induction to tables, views, keys and relationships. The authors then move on to the first word used in a SQL query - Select. In Part 2 we explore how to filter information.
After explaining how to retrieve data from a single table using the Select statement, the authors introduce us to examples with multiple tables. The operations discussed here are intersections, unions, difference, joins and sub-queries.
In the final part we investigate grouping data and how to use the aggregate function. We examine other DML such as updating and deleting data.
The book is well structured and easy to read. The additional exercises are beneficial to probe deeper and get a better understanding. This is something that the reader needs to set aside some time to delve into.
The reason I gave it 7/10 is that it only focused on DML. Also, it is not a book you can read without attempting the examples as they are the core and would benefit readers who are new to databases.
Reviewed by Uma Kanagaratnam MBCS, Senior Product Support Specialist
The book is divided into four parts and structured in sequential order, starting with an induction to tables, views, keys and relationships. The authors then move on to the first word used in a SQL query - Select. In Part 2 we explore how to filter information.
After explaining how to retrieve data from a single table using the Select statement, the authors introduce us to examples with multiple tables. The operations discussed here are intersections, unions, difference, joins and sub-queries.
In the final part we investigate grouping data and how to use the aggregate function. We examine other DML such as updating and deleting data.
The book is well structured and easy to read. The additional exercises are beneficial to probe deeper and get a better understanding. This is something that the reader needs to set aside some time to delve into.
The reason I gave it 7/10 is that it only focused on DML. Also, it is not a book you can read without attempting the examples as they are the core and would benefit readers who are new to databases.
Reviewed by Uma Kanagaratnam MBCS, Senior Product Support Specialist
March 28, 2016
Useful guide in a straightforward and non-technical vocabulary for newbies in SQL who want to progress quickly. Probably the best I have read so far :) although I would have deleted some paragraphs which are not majorly supported by commercial databases out there... You can move probably from 0 to 70-80% SQL knowledge by reading this. For more advanced practitioners this is not the right book to pick.
January 17, 2023
I Am SQL Master
This was an awesome book on SQL mastery.
Although I would already quality myself as a SEO expert, this was just another great book to solidify the teachings and get more familiar with the massive realm that is SQL
I would highly recommend for those who know SQL and want to become masters!
4.8/5
This was an awesome book on SQL mastery.
Although I would already quality myself as a SEO expert, this was just another great book to solidify the teachings and get more familiar with the massive realm that is SQL
I would highly recommend for those who know SQL and want to become masters!
4.8/5
February 4, 2024
I always knew that my SQL knowledge are not so great and that this is a field I have to improve, but because at my old jobs I interacted with database mainly through ORM frameworks and TBH was avoiding direct SQL interaction I continually postponed a deep dive into SQL world :) but recently I have started a new job and exactly from first day I was assigned to design and implement database structure(for anyone wondering I also start reading a book about database design) for a new service and instantly I realized that I will need to learn SQL fast I've started looking for courses and books (I like learning from books) and I found this one I was mainly hooked up by the title and after reading some reviews I picked it, and I don't regret doing this.
First 2-3 chapters I was just reading it without any practical interaction but after I finished chapter about JOINS and I realized that even so I spend lot of time reading about it I still don't feel confident using them I decide to fully commit to book I spend some time setting up books sample databases to be able to follow a long (thanks to internet tutorials) and o boy then the real learning have started.
This book is amazing for an SQL beginner it has clear explanation without to much technicality and lots I repeat lots of examples and exercises.
I can imagine that for an experienced SQL user It will not bring some benefits but even from title we can understand that it has other target audience.
If someone will ever ask me for an SQL resource I will definitely recommend this book.
Now after I finished it I am not even close to a master or pro but I am definitely better and know much more prior starting the book and for me this is a win, I feel more confident when it comes to SQL.
First 2-3 chapters I was just reading it without any practical interaction but after I finished chapter about JOINS and I realized that even so I spend lot of time reading about it I still don't feel confident using them I decide to fully commit to book I spend some time setting up books sample databases to be able to follow a long (thanks to internet tutorials) and o boy then the real learning have started.
This book is amazing for an SQL beginner it has clear explanation without to much technicality and lots I repeat lots of examples and exercises.
I can imagine that for an experienced SQL user It will not bring some benefits but even from title we can understand that it has other target audience.
If someone will ever ask me for an SQL resource I will definitely recommend this book.
Now after I finished it I am not even close to a master or pro but I am definitely better and know much more prior starting the book and for me this is a win, I feel more confident when it comes to SQL.
December 20, 2019
Not as great as i expected it to be . Deserves some 3.5 upon 5.
I had great expectations from this book but nothing as such .
I had great expectations from this book but nothing as such .
September 27, 2021
Good reference with examples.
January 17, 2022
Very helpful guide to building SQL queries.
April 6, 2022
Not bad, another semester over
February 8, 2024
very good, and quite comprehensive. it's my go to book when I face some issues with a query.
April 13, 2011
What is the most common language for medium to large business in use today? If you were to say Mandarin, Spanish or English you would only be half correct. For better or for worse, a clue to this answer exists somewhere in the world of relation database management systems (RDMS), where the database programming language SEQUEL reigns supreme. SEQUEL or SQL, was developed at IBM by Donald D. Chamberlin and Raymond F. Boyce in the early 1970s. This version, initially called SEQUEL (Structured English Query Language), was designed to manipulate and retrieve data stored in IBM's original relational database management system, System R, which a group at IBM San Jose Research Laboratory had developed during the 1970s
Michael J. Hernandez and John L. Viescas address fundamental SEQUEL concepts in their 492 page (including index) book so humorously titled 'SQL Queries for Mere Mortals: A Hands-On Guide to Data Manipulation in SQL.' One can expect a similar balance of casual and formal as Hermandez and Viescas review fundamental concepts in database and database management as well as essential SQL commands and associated structure and syntax. Like any computer language (or language for that matter), SQL adheres to specific rules and logic. The result is an emphasis on accurate and precise structuring of script for optimal results.
SQL Queries for Mere Mortals contains four sections and three appendices. Part I, Relational Databases and SQL is a review or introduction of database fundamentals, structure and a brief history of SQL and its present-day relevance. Part II SQL Basics covers issues that could conceivably come up in the first week at your new job (remember when you wooed the hiring manager with your vast knowledge database management and SQL skill set?), this includes: creating queries and filtering data. Part III: Working with Multiple Tables continues into more involved databases and the techniques required to manage them. Part IV: Grouping Data discusses advanced techniques for filtering and data. At this point the reader of this text is fairly acquainted with databases as well as the SQL syntax.
Hermandez and Viescas take what might be considered a dull subject (manipulating databases) and make it easy to understand and even (God forbid) fun for the user.
RECOMMENDATION:
Who should use or would benefit from SQL Queries for Mere Mortals? The short answer is anyone who needs to manage databases. And, the last time I checked that included almost everyone in science, technology and industry. According to the Guardian UK, as of March 2009, the Internet was reported to exchange and interchange nearly 500 billion gigabytes of data.' 487bn gigabytes (GB), if the world's rapidly expanding digital content were printed and bound into books it would form a stack that would stretch from Earth to Pluto 10 times.' Clearly, we are in a world that floats on data and information! The take home message is to try to not get overwhelmed and to start learning SQL!
WEBOGRAPHY:
http://formeremortals.com/default.aspx
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Hernandez, Michael J., and John Viescas. SQL Queries for Mere Mortals: a Hands-on Guide to Data Manipulation in SQL. Boston: Addison-Wesley, 2000. Print.
Michael J. Hernandez and John L. Viescas address fundamental SEQUEL concepts in their 492 page (including index) book so humorously titled 'SQL Queries for Mere Mortals: A Hands-On Guide to Data Manipulation in SQL.' One can expect a similar balance of casual and formal as Hermandez and Viescas review fundamental concepts in database and database management as well as essential SQL commands and associated structure and syntax. Like any computer language (or language for that matter), SQL adheres to specific rules and logic. The result is an emphasis on accurate and precise structuring of script for optimal results.
SQL Queries for Mere Mortals contains four sections and three appendices. Part I, Relational Databases and SQL is a review or introduction of database fundamentals, structure and a brief history of SQL and its present-day relevance. Part II SQL Basics covers issues that could conceivably come up in the first week at your new job (remember when you wooed the hiring manager with your vast knowledge database management and SQL skill set?), this includes: creating queries and filtering data. Part III: Working with Multiple Tables continues into more involved databases and the techniques required to manage them. Part IV: Grouping Data discusses advanced techniques for filtering and data. At this point the reader of this text is fairly acquainted with databases as well as the SQL syntax.
Hermandez and Viescas take what might be considered a dull subject (manipulating databases) and make it easy to understand and even (God forbid) fun for the user.
RECOMMENDATION:
Who should use or would benefit from SQL Queries for Mere Mortals? The short answer is anyone who needs to manage databases. And, the last time I checked that included almost everyone in science, technology and industry. According to the Guardian UK, as of March 2009, the Internet was reported to exchange and interchange nearly 500 billion gigabytes of data.' 487bn gigabytes (GB), if the world's rapidly expanding digital content were printed and bound into books it would form a stack that would stretch from Earth to Pluto 10 times.' Clearly, we are in a world that floats on data and information! The take home message is to try to not get overwhelmed and to start learning SQL!
WEBOGRAPHY:
http://formeremortals.com/default.aspx
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Hernandez, Michael J., and John Viescas. SQL Queries for Mere Mortals: a Hands-on Guide to Data Manipulation in SQL. Boston: Addison-Wesley, 2000. Print.
February 2, 2010
Experienced programmers may find this book a little slow, but my students love it for the clear descriptions, pace, and conversational style. However the first edition is missing anything about data manipulation, so be sure to pick up the 2nd. Also, it's not possible to learn database design in just a couple chapters so skip those chapters and a get a real design book.
August 26, 2009
I don't think you are supposed to read this book but it will be close at hand while at work. Great reference book that I use at least once a week. Highly recommended to me by a developer. I highly recommend it in return to anyone looking to dabble or even learn and use SQL.
April 18, 2016
I actually really liked this book. I had this for class, but I suspect that if one were to read through use the website as the book instructs, one would have learned as much, if not more, SQL as I did in class.
Read
December 21, 2007SQL is still a viable language. This books gives programmer's many tips, especially on those ca-razy left joins.
February 17, 2009
boring, laborous, necessary reading
November 25, 2011
If you're trying to bring beginners up to speed, this is a great tool.
December 12, 2013
good book for beginners
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews