I am in need of a good book on SQL that starts with the basics and takes me to an Intermediate level. Preferably one with real world exercises. I use programs that use SQL Light, MySQL, and SQL Server 2005 and 2008. I want to brush up on my SQL skills
Any good book recommendations?
Posted by TomDavidson (Member # 124) on :
Egad. To be honest, I've never found SQL books useful, but subscriptions to various SQL magazines and online newsletters have been invaluable to me. Do you own even a basic SQL reference guide? And have you done much scripting?
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I have to say, by the way, that I am always very interested in seeing how your career has resembled mine, offset by about six or seven years. The things you've come here asking for help about almost exactly mirror the pattern my own career took.
Posted by Tstorm (Member # 1871) on :
I had a basic course on databases when I was in college. That taught me enough to get by, initially. Google and online resources have been my best SQL teachers ever since I left school. MSDN is obviously the best starting reference point for SQL Server's specific implementation.
I bought a book almost two years ago (it's dated now), titled SQL Server 2005 for Developers. It's been slightly useful to me, compared to other books. It's oriented more at developers who want to learn more about SQL Server, than it is at people who just want to learn the SQL language.
Posted by lem (Member # 6914) on :
The only scripting I have done is seeing a need for my AD servers and finding scripts online. I then modify them to suit my needs. I couldn't script from scratch to save my life.
As my career has evolved, I am working much deeper in databases. So far I have not needed to know much behind the scenes because we have a specific database specialist at my work. However, all my programs use databases and it is getting to the point where I need to get my hands a little more dirty.
The two places I really need to strengthen my work persona are databases and scripting. I have never had so much as a programming class because I made this career transition from social services.
I love online resources, but I also want some type of work book that guides me through exercises so I can increase my skills. As it is I don't know what I don't know so I don't know what to ask or learn. Some type of work book that covers the basics would be invaluable to me.
I have set up, backup upped, detached/reattached, and done other minor tasks with SQL databases as I have followed program instructions, but I still feel like I need to secure my foundation.
Even querying scares me, and that is not a good place to be if you have my job.
Thanks guys.
Posted by Heffaji (Member # 3669) on :
The most useful book I've found on the topic is called 'The SQL Cookbook' by Anthony Molinaro. What makes the book stand out for me is how it goes about introducing new methods of utilizing sql. He sets out various situations and then shows how they can be solved by the more well-known variants of sql that exist.
Posted by MattP (Member # 10495) on :
I don't have a specific book recommendation, but I will say that lately I've really been enjoying my Safari Books Online subscription. They don't have everything, but they generally have at least *something* useful (often multiple somethings) on any given tech subject (including the titles mentioned so far in this thread). That, paired with an iPad for comfortable couch and lawn chair reading, has fulfilled most of my tech book needs for the last couple months.
[ July 10, 2010, 10:09 PM: Message edited by: MattP ]
Posted by Lisa (Member # 8384) on :
I tend to try Wrox whenever I want a programming book of any kind. I think Molinaro has written some stuff for them, incidentally.
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The things you've come here asking for help about almost exactly mirror the pattern my own career took.
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