SQL in a nutshell : a desktop quick reference

SQL in a Nutshell applies the classic O'Reilly "Nutshell" format to Structured Query Language (SQL), the elegant descriptive language that's used to create and manipulate stores of data. This book explains the purpose and proper syntax of hundreds of SQL statements, as defined in four major SQL implementations, and details each entry with explanatory text and illustrative examples. Perhaps best of all, authors Kevin and Daniel Kline feature MySQL in their coverage, and give it billing that's equal to that of Oracle, Microsoft SQL Server, and PostgreSQL. Their inclusion of open-source MySQL, which in most situations carries no license fee, is recognition of its growing popularity and suitability for serious database applications; also, it improves this book's appeal to Unix and Linux developers.The majority of this slender book comprises eminently useful syntax documentation (which is in the style of Unix man pages, with bracketed options and monospace arguments) and the other information that's specific to individual statements and functions. Additionally, it includes a relatively small amount of conceptual information, such as a section on the proper use of NULL values. The material that's not statement-specific also contrasts data-type implementations of the four covered platforms - for example, readers learn that a PostgreSQL int2 value is known as a smallint in ANSI standard SQL. This is a particularly handy reference book, if you use one of the emphasized SQL implementations. Sql (structured Query Language) Is A Standardized Query Language For Maintaining And Querying Database Information. Historically, Sql Has Been The Choice For Database Management Systems Running On Minicomputers And Mainframes. Increasingly, However, Sql Is Being Adapted To Pc Systems That Support Distributed Databases And Allow Users On A Local-area Network To Access The Same Data Simultaneously. Although There Are Different Dialects Of Sql, It Is The Closest Thing To A Standard Query Language That Currently Exists. Sql In A Nutshell Is A Practical And Useful Command Reference To The Latest Release Of The Structured Query Language Standard (sql99), Which Assists Readers In Learning How Their Favorite Database Product Supports Any Standard Sql Command. This Book Presents Each Of The Sql Commands And Describes Its Use In Both Commercial (microsoft Sql Server 2000 And Oracle 8i) And Open Source (mysql, Postgresql 7.0) Implementations. Each Command Reference Includes The Command Syntax (by Vendor, If The Syntax Differs Across Implementations), A Description, And Informative Examples That Illustrate Important Concepts And Uses. Sql In A Nutshell Is More Than A Convenient Reference Guide For Experienced Sql Programmers, Analysts, And Database Administrators. It's Also A Great Learning Resource For Novice And Auxiliary Sql Users, Such As System Administrators, Users Of Packaged Client/server Products, And Consultants Who Need To Be Familiar With The Various Sql Dialects Across Many Platforms.--jacket. Ch. 1. Sql, Vendor Implementations, And Some History -- Ch. 2. Foundational Concepts -- Ch. 3. Sql Statements Command Reference -- Ch. 4. Sql Functions -- Ch. 5. Unimplemented Sql99 Commands -- Appendix. Sql99 And Vendor-specific Keywords. Kevin Kline With Daniel Kline. Includes Index. SQL in a Nutshell is a practical and useful command reference to the latest release of the Structured Query Language (SQL99), helping readers learn how their favorite database product supports any standard SQL command. This book presents each of the SQL commands and describes its use in both commercial (Microsoft SQL Server 2000 and Oracle 8i) and open source (MySQL, PostgreSQL 7.0) implementations. Each command reference includes the command syntax (by vendor, if the syntax differs across implementations), a description, and informative examples that illustrate important concepts and uses. SQL in a Nutshell is more than a convenient reference guide for experienced SQL programmers, analysts, and database administrators. It's also a great learning resource for novice and auxiliary SQL users.