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Learning SQL: A Step-By-Step Guide Using Oracle
Starts with very simple Oracle SQL concepts and slowly builds into more complex query development and PL/SQL. Covers SQL as it is invoked via SQL Plus, a command-line system to launch interactive queries. Provides an appendix for UNIX users of Oracle. Softcover.
Paperback
First published May 15, 2002
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
June 29, 2021
3.0 out of 5 stars
Very Good, But Commits One Cardinal Sin
May 6, 2008
Yes, this book is outdated. But, given its stated mission, that's really not a problem. From page xv in the Preface, under the Audience and Coverage section:
"Overall, although this book does not discuss advanced features such as performance tuning issues or advanced PL/SQL, it is ideal for a beginning Oracle user to get an overview of what SQL and Oracle entails. The book gives a very good "feel" for what Oracle is and the many ways Oracle can be used. It certainly can be considered a starting point for what Oracle has to offer."
I was very impressed with how the authors wrote to this goal. The book starts from the premise that the reader has barely heard the word "database" and works up from there. It was really designed to be used in conjunction with an actual database theory course. So, the assumed level of knowledge seems to creep up a bit as the book progresses. But, even so, anyone even vaguely familiar with database theory should have no problem reading this book. It's very well done.
But, you wonder, why do I only give it an OK rating of 3 stars out of 5? Because the authors do one unforgivable thing: they teach new material in the Exercises. Exercises are supposed to measure how well people have learned the material taught in the book. They're not for teaching new material. If it hadn't been for that, I'd have given the book a Very Good 4 stars out of 5 rating. Still, if you don't really need the theory behind a database and just need to get by with a bit of SQL under Oracle, I do recommend this book.
Very Good, But Commits One Cardinal Sin
May 6, 2008
Yes, this book is outdated. But, given its stated mission, that's really not a problem. From page xv in the Preface, under the Audience and Coverage section:
"Overall, although this book does not discuss advanced features such as performance tuning issues or advanced PL/SQL, it is ideal for a beginning Oracle user to get an overview of what SQL and Oracle entails. The book gives a very good "feel" for what Oracle is and the many ways Oracle can be used. It certainly can be considered a starting point for what Oracle has to offer."
I was very impressed with how the authors wrote to this goal. The book starts from the premise that the reader has barely heard the word "database" and works up from there. It was really designed to be used in conjunction with an actual database theory course. So, the assumed level of knowledge seems to creep up a bit as the book progresses. But, even so, anyone even vaguely familiar with database theory should have no problem reading this book. It's very well done.
But, you wonder, why do I only give it an OK rating of 3 stars out of 5? Because the authors do one unforgivable thing: they teach new material in the Exercises. Exercises are supposed to measure how well people have learned the material taught in the book. They're not for teaching new material. If it hadn't been for that, I'd have given the book a Very Good 4 stars out of 5 rating. Still, if you don't really need the theory behind a database and just need to get by with a bit of SQL under Oracle, I do recommend this book.
Displaying 1 of 1 review