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Learning SQL View Larger Image | Alan Beaulieu
O'Reilly Media, Paperback, Published August 2005, 400 pages, ISBN 0596007272 | List Price: $34.95
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Chapter 3: Query Primer
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SQL (Structured Query Language) is a standard programming language for generating,
manipulating, and retrieving information from a relational database. If you're
working with a relational database--whether you're writing applications, performing
administrative tasks, or generating reports--you need to know how to interact
with your data. Even if you are using a tool that generates SQL for you, such
as a reporting tool, there may still be cases where you need to bypass the automatic
generation feature and write your own SQL statements.
To help you attain this fundamental SQL knowledge, look to Learning SQL,
an introductory guide to SQL, designed primarily for developers just cutting
their teeth on the language.
Learning SQL moves you quickly through the basics and then on to some
of the more commonly used advanced features. Among the topics discussed:
- The history of the computerized database
- SQL Data Statements--those used to create, manipulate, and retrieve data
stored in your database; example statements include select, update, insert,
and delete
- SQL Schema Statements--those used to create database objects, such as tables,
indexes, and constraints
- How data sets can interact with queries
- The importance of subqueries
- Data conversion and manipulation via SQL's built-in functions
- How conditional logic can be used in Data Statements
Best of all, Learning SQL talks to you in a real-world manner, discussing
various platform differences that you're likely to encounter and offering a series
of chapter exercises that walk you through the learning process. Whenever possible,
the book sticks to the features included in the ANSI SQL standards. This means
you'll be able to apply what you learn to any of several different databases;
the book covers MySQL, Microsoft SQL Server, and Oracle Database, but the features
and syntax should apply just as well (perhaps with some tweaking) to IBM DB2,
Sybase Adaptive Server, and PostgreSQL.
Put the power and flexibility of SQL to work. With Learning SQL you can
master this important skill and know that the SQL statements you write are indeed
correct.
Table of Contents
Preface
1. A Little Background
Introduction to Databases
What Is SQL?
What Is MySQL?
What's in Store
2. Creating and Populating a Database
Creating a MySQL Database
Using the mysql Command-Line Tool
MySQL Data Types
Table Creation
Populating and Modifying Tables
When Good Statements Go Bad
The Bank Schema
3. Query Primer
Query Mechanics
Query Clauses
The select Clause
The from Clause
The where Clause
The group by and having Clauses
The order by Clause
Exercises
4. Filtering
Condition Evaluation
Building a Condition
Condition Types
NULL: That Four-Letter Word
Exercises
5. Querying Multiple Tables
What Is a Join?
Joining Three or More Tables
Self-Joins
Equi-Joins Versus Non-Equi-Joins
Join Conditions Versus Filter Conditions
Exercises
6. Working with Sets
Set Theory Primer
Set Theory in Practice
Set Operators
Set Operation Rules
Exercises
7. Data Generation, Conversion, and Manipulation
Working with String Data
Working with Numeric Data
Working with Temporal Data
Conversion Functions
Exercises
8. Grouping and Aggregates
Grouping Concepts
Aggregate Functions
Generating Groups
Group Filter Conditions
Exercises
9. Subqueries
What Is a Subquery?
Subquery Types
Noncorrelated Subqueries
Correlated Subqueries
When to Use Subqueries
Subquery Wrap-up
Exercises
10. Joins Revisited
Outer Joins
Cross Joins
Natural Joins
Exercises
11. Conditional Logic
What Is Conditional Logic?
The Case Expression
Case Expression Examples
Exercises
12. Transactions
Multiuser Databases
What Is a Transaction?
13. Indexes and Constraints
Indexes
Constraints
A. ER Diagram for Example Database
B. MySQL Extensions to the SQL Language
C. Solutions to Exercises
D. Further Resources
Index
About the Author
Alan Beaulieu has been designing, building,
and implementing custom database applications for over 13 years. He currently
runs his own consulting company that specializes in designing Oracle databases
and supporting services in the fields of Financial Services and Telecommunications.
In building large databases for both OLTP and OLAP environments, Alan utilizes
such Oracle features as Parallel Query, Partitioning, and Parallel Server. Alan
has a Bachelor of Science degree in Operations Research from the Cornell University
School of Engineering. He lives in Massachusetts with his wife and two daughters
and can be reached at albeau_mosql@yahoo.com.
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