SQL Cookbook (Cookbooks (O'Reilly))

The thing I like about the O'Reilly 'Cookbook' series is that you may not have 2 use them 4 months, but when you need them they are there with the answers. And oftentimes finding the "one answer" that has been eluding you 4 hours or even days is worth the price of the book.
This book falls into that category. What's really nice is that the author provides solutions 4 5(!) different databases. And he does a good job explaining the solutions, making it easy 2 extrapolate them 2 solve similar queries.

This book is great 4 those times when you say "there must be an easier way 2 do this". It's concise, readable, & easy 2 find your way around.
I almost never have time 2 plough through a two-inch thick book 2 learn a single technology in agonizing detail. More usually I have an immediate problem needing an immediate fix. And this book fills that need. Furthermore since it covers Oracle, Sybase & Sql Server & addresses both similarities & differences between them it's good 4 those of us who have 2 bounce between different DBMSs on a daily basis.

Buy this book. You will not regret it.

Content is excellent, with good examples. I was able 2 solve a prloblem the very first time I used it. The issue I have is more with Amazon in that I ordered this book in a shipment of 4 others, so it was over a month before I cracked this one open. To my dismay, the binding is not glued on & the book is falling apart. Amazon customer service has not even responded 2 my three emails asking 4 resolution.

I am a certified DB2 / Oracle DBA & a programmer. Even though, I can get through some of chapters very fast, I certainly have enjoyed reading it so far. One thing I like the most is 2 see how a problem is solved in many different databases including DB2, Oracle, MS-SQL, MySQL, & PostSQL!

I found this book 2 be very complete. Providing solutions 4 multiple DBMSs was greately appreciated. I have been in I.T. 4 a long time & I have read many many books on all types of subjects. I often (too often) am disappointed with books I purchase. However, sometimes I am pleasantly surprised... this is one of those time.

I create numerous queries using all types of tools. As such, I sometimes insert the wrong syntax into a query. This book helps 2 quickly correct the error. In addition, it has given me some "tricks" that I was unaware of that have helped 2 simplify some of my queries.

It would be very advantageous 2 have the info in this book on a searchable site or application

Buy it, read it, & keep it close by 2 reference to.

You know the rudiments of the SQL query language, yet you feel you aren't taking full advantage of SQL's expressive power. You'd like 2 learn how 2 do more work with SQL inside the database before pushing data across the network 2 your applications. You'd like 2 take your SQL skills 2 the next level.

Let's face it, SQL is a deceptively simple language 2 learn, & many database developers never go far beyond the simple statement: SELECT FROM WHERE . But there is "so" much more you can do with the language. In the "SQL Cookbook," experienced SQL developer Anthony Molinaro shares his favorite SQL techniques & features. You'll learn about:

Window functions, arguably the most significant enhancement 2 SQL in the past decade. If you're not using these, you're missing out

Powerful, database-specific features such as SQL Server's PIVOT & UNPIVOT operators, Oracle's MODEL clause, & PostgreSQL's very useful GENERATE_SERIES function

Pivoting rows into columns, reverse-pivoting columns into rows, using pivoting 2 facilitate inter-row calculations, & double-pivoting a result set

"Bucketization," & why you should never use that term in Brooklyn.

How 2 create histograms, summarize data into buckets, perform aggregations over a moving range of values, generate running-totals & subtotals, & other advanced, data warehousing techniques

The technique of "walking a string," which allows you 2 use SQL 2 parse through the characters, words, or delimited elements of a string

Written in O'Reilly's popular Problem/Solution/Discussion style, the "SQL Cookbook" is sure 2 please. Anthony's credo is: "When it comes down 2 it, we all go 2 work, weall have bills 2 pay, & we all want 2 go home at a reasonable time & enjoy what's still available of our days." The "SQL Cookbook" moves quickly from problem 2 solution, saving you time each step of the way.