Reviews (16)

Simply badly designed for exams
I believe that the writers made some bad choices when they first began to write this book. First of all, unlike most other certification books the exam goals are not together in one section. Instead there are whole chapters for queries, indexes, views, etc with all of the information about each topic in that chapter. So if you wanted to read about 'query optimization' you would have to read the sections within that chapter about query optimation from the queries chapter, from the index chapter, some from the views chapter, etc. So if you want to review a specific topic that you are not as good at you will be doing a lot of page flipping.
This Won't Prepare You For 70-229 But a Good Starting Point.
This book is a very easy read, explains concepts clearly, but lacks the kind of detail necessary for passing the 70-229 exam, especially if you are taking this as an elective on the developer track. It will get you through most of what you need to know at 10,000 feet, but it will not take you to a passing score. It taught me things I had never used and for that it is well worth the time investment. I also love the fact that you can install the "e-book" on a laptop and a desktop at home and never carry the hard cover book around.
Book for SQL novice
This book is good for a person whom does not know any thing about SQL and Database Designing. If you are an Experience whom trying to get ready for the exam. then save your money and look for different one. This book will just wast your time. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Certification    2. Certification Guides - General    3. Certification Guides - MCSD    4. Certification Guides - Msce    5. Computer Books: General    6. Computers    7. Computers - Data Base Management    8. Database Management - General    9. Database Management - SQL Server    10. Databases    11. Design    12. Electronic data processing per    13. Electronic data processing personnel    14. Examinations    15. Microsoft software    16. Programming Languages - SQL    17. Relational Databases    18. Sql (Programming Language)    19. Study guides    20. Computers / Database Management / General    21. Database software   

Editorial Review

This is the rare case of a book that can take you from a beginner to an advanced-intermediate level. Likemany of the books in IDG's Dummies series, this volume begins with a definition ("What is SQL?") andends with "The Part of Tens," a collection of tips in a top ten list form. Taylor writes in a breezy,entertaining style that SQL novices will find inviting. One caveat: The examples are given in Borland'sDelphi, a rapid application development (RAD) tool. Some sections show several screen shots from Delphiand it may be difficult to follow along in these sections if you don't have the program in front of you. Aswith other Dummies books, Read more

Reviews (26)

A proper start in SQL, nothing more
About a year ago, I was writing up a series of lessons for a course in Java DataBase Connectivity (JDBC) that I was preparing for a local business. As is always the case, they needed the course right away, so I had little time to prepare the lessons. To illustrate what can be done using JDBC, I used the executeQuery() method of the Statement object. The executeQuery() method accepts an SQL command as input, so it was necessary for me to quickly brush up on SQL commands. This is the book I reached for to get myself back to speed on SQL commands. Like all ""For Dummies" books, it can be used to quickly learn the basics of the topic, although it has little use beyond the beginning. I found it adequate for my needs at the time, although when I needed to delve deeper into SQL for a later course, I went elsewhere.
Absolutely terrible
I have read several books in the Dummies series and found them all excellent, so when it was time to learn SQL for a programming project I got this one immediately.
Shipped in a very short time
This book was shipped to us in a very short period of time.We were very pleased with this purchase. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Computer Books: Languages    2. Computers    3. Computers - Languages / Programming    4. Programming Languages - SQL    5. Computer Programming    6. Computers / Programming Languages / SQL   

Editorial Review

Deploying Oracle applications in any organization is an enormous task, and Read more

Reviews (37)

Amazon doesnt have this book and did not deliver after 2 months too!
I have tried to buy this book from Amazon. When buying it says it will ship in 2-3 weeks, but even after two months Amazon keeps mailing that it would still be delayed by a month. Be careful while buying this book from amazon, as in my case the purpose is finshed before i even got the book.

Might be ok but...
I bought this book because I was trying to teach myself enough to become a Financials Developer.This still MIGHT be the right book for me.However, this is not a step by step guide to the installation.In addition, the book assumes some familiarity with accounting systems.

It's not a handbook, just an brief overview
We should appreciate that this is the first book published on market talking about Oracle Financials.However, this is the book that contains only general introduction. It doesn't have any detail information either for functional users or technical persons.As an Oracle Financial developer with many years of experience, I don't get any useful information out of it.May be it's good for somebody who don't know Oracle Financials at all. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Certification Guides - General    2. Computer Books: General    3. Computer programs    4. Computers    5. Computers - Data Base Management    6. Database Management - General    7. Database Management - Oracle    8. Database design    9. Electronic commerce    10. Finance    11. Financial Economics (General)    12. Marketing - Multilevel    13. Oracle (Computer file)    14. Relational Databases    15. Computers / Technical Skills    16. Oracle   

Subjects:  1. Certification Guides - General    2. Computer Books: Languages    3. Computers    4. Computers - General Information    5. Database Management - General    6. General    7. Programming - Software Development    8. Relational Databases    9. Software Design    10. Computers / General    11. Computing and Information Technology    12. Database software    13. SQL   

Reviews (7)

Great pocket reference, 2nd edition WITH INDEX now
This small booklet "ORACLE PL/SQL Language Pocket Reference" in this new 2nd edition is exactly what you need as PL/SQL (PL/SQL is the ORACLE procedural language extension of SQL) programmer (and is even more important for casual PL/SQL programmer). anO'REILLY flop
Where's the index??A REFERENCE is something you pick up to find a particular needed peice of information. Without an index you have to scan everywhere trying to find what you are looking for.What a waste of time!Dont' even waste the 10 bucks for this piece of junk...

Nice, compact, but it really needs an index!
A good sidekick for when you have a mental lapse, unfortunately they seem to have forgot to print the index.Read more

Subjects:  1. Computer Books: Languages    2. Computers    3. Computers - Data Base Management    4. Database Management - Oracle    5. Database Management - SQL Server    6. Programming Languages - SQL    7. Reference - General    8. Computers / Data Base Management    9. Computers / Database Management / General    10. Computers/Database Management - General    11. Computers/Reference - General    12. Oracle   

Reviews (4)

A Database Design and Optimization "must-have"....
I highly recommend this book to anyone working with SQL Server 2005. The material presented is made more understandable (not to mention entertaining!) by the examples used by the author throughout the book.The new features for SQL Server 2005 that the author covers are very relevant to my job, especially Chapter 7, Securing Access to the Data.The continuity of the material presented is excellent.Each chapter serves as a reference guide to complex topics that the author successfully explains through a combination of expertise, experience and a sense of humor.

A great read
This book is very well written and does a good job explaining new functionality and design of SQL 2005 as well as contrasting with SQL 2000 implementation.Definitely a book to add to your library.

A must-have
I have the 2000 version of this book, which I thought was outstanding. Not only does it have excellent content, but it's written as if you were sitting at a table talking to Mr. Davidson directly.
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Subjects:  1. Computer Books: Database    2. Computers    3. Computers - Data Base Management    4. Database Management - General    5. Database Management - SQL Server    6. Programming Languages - SQL    7. Database software    8. SQL   

Reviews (18)

Review of SQL/400 Guide
Got the equavalent of what it cost me after about 5 minutes.Great reference and have just recently started at chapter 3 for in-depth how to instructions.
Most everything you need for SQL on the iSeries
This book is fairly comprehensive.There were just a few topics I would have liked to have seen more on.All in all, it really helped me get the job done.

Good practical book to learn SQL on iSeries
This book was just what I needed. I'm an RPG programmer who has to learn SQL for a new application we're developing. Found most of what I needed here. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Computer Books: Database    2. Computers    3. Computers - Languages / Programming    4. Database Management - General    5. Database design    6. Hardware - Mainframes & Minicomputers    7. IBM AS/400 (Computer)    8. Mini-Computer Application Software    9. Programming    10. Programming Languages - SQL    11. Relational Databases    12. SQL (Computer program language    13. SQL (Computer program language)    14. Computer Bks - Data Base Management    15. Databases & data structures    16. SQL   

Reviews (11)

A bible for those using SQL 2005
Some people commented on the poor editing: typos & some wrong pictures. True. (It detracts, but you can figure it out easily)
Helpful to a Point
I BOUGHT THIS BOOK HOPING IT WOULD GIVE ME SOME INSIGHT AND BACKGROUND TO BEGIN USING 2005, AND IT DID JUST THAT. SEEMS TO GO INTO THE "MATH" A BIT TOO MUCH, AND MOST WAS OVER MY HEAD. COULD HAVE USED A BIT MORE ABOUT THE MMC AND HOW TO USE THAT TO BETTER USE, BUT ALL IN ALL A BOOK THAT IS GOOD FOR MY LIBRRAY. F ANYONE KNOWS OF A GOOD RESOURCE ON USING THE MMC IN SQL2K5 LET ME KNOW:-)

Decent Book
At the time I'm writing this review this book is the only one available dedicated solely to the data mining features of SQL Server 2005. The book is good, but I was disappointed in it as well on three fronts. First, there is a chapter dedicated to each of the data mining algorithms. I didn't find the business use case examples for when, why, and how to use each algorithm sufficient. Second, each of the algorithm chapters goes off the deep-end explaining the mathematical basis for the algorithm. There are very, very few developers who are going to remember enough of their college mathematics to follow along. Third, the technical coverage of how to use the APIs and the data mining extension language (DMX) is superficial, particularly with DMX. After reading this book cover to cover I couldn't go off and write a DMX query if I wanted to. On the application I'm working on we are planning to implement our own web visualization viewers for the data mining algorithms. This book didn't give me what I needed in understanding the object model exposed by the APIs in order to handle the back-end coding for this. All in all, if you are planning to do data mining with SQL Server 2005 I would recommend this book only because at the time of this writing there is nothing else available. However, you will learn quite a bit about data mining with it and depending on your prior experience (more is better) it might be an excellent fit for you. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Computer Books: Database    2. Computers    3. Computers - Data Base Management    4. Database Management - General    5. Computer Software Packages    6. Computers / Database Management / General   

Reviews (7)

good if you have oracle preknowledge
this is the first book i read to prepare for my OCA exam. at first i was a bit overwhelmed because the chapters are quite long and the languages are not very easy to understand (sometimes i have to reread a sentence two or three times before it clicks). but i guess it was also because by then oracle was still rather new for me. if you are an experienced dba (maybe a 9i oca or ocp) then i guess this book alone should be enough to get you a 10g oca. but if you are new to oracle, i would suggest you to study John & Damir book first (OCP All-in-one exam prep guide), it's easier to absorb and the chapters are shorter (although there are more chapters). then, if you still have the time (and the money) get this book to wrap up your preparation for the oca. i'm sure you will pass the exam like i did.

Best Technical Book I've Ever Read...
...and I'm a picky guy.
very good book
This is the only book I used to prepare for the OCA exam. and I passed the exam ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Computer Books: Languages    2. Computers    3. Computers - Data Base Management    4. Database Management - Oracle    5. Programming - General    6. Reference - General    7. Computers / Technical Skills    8. Oracle   

Reviews (3)

Clear, with numerous helpful examples
First, I should mention that I got this book in Dec. 2000 and had no trouble installing the disk on Windows98.Hopefully the problem pointed about by another reviewer has been resolved.Incidentally, I find the SOLID server very easy to set up and use, with a simple but friendly user interface.OK, now for the book.It is very clear and includes numerous detailed examples, along with step-by-step discussion as to why the syntax works the way it does.This is particularly helpful when grouping, subqueries, joins, etc., or combinations thereof are involved.Sometimes he'll solve a problem in more than one way, which is good to see.Occasionally, too, like a good teacher he will have a snare for the unwary and go on to say, "Wait, this isn't working the way intended," and use the pitfall as a way of bringing home a point. Another thing I like is the adaptation of Backus-Naur Form that he uses in specifying languages -- if you've never seen BNF before (which included me before reading this book), that may sound a little daunting.Actually, it makes correct usage really clear.One more thing to mention about this book is its excellent range of topics without bogging down on them.In addition to covering the core keywords "select", "from", "where", and so forth, he talks about imbedded SQL (which I rely on heavily when I use VB or work on web pages), stored procedures, and what ODBC is, to mention only a few extra topics.Finally, the translator should be commended for readable, fluent English.

WARNING !!!
The disk supplied with the book (contains the database to work the exercises) will not easily install on Windows NT.I have contacted the author (via e-mail) and the database manufacturer for more installationinstructions but have not yet received any help.Without the informationon the supplied disk the learning process is less than complete.

Outstanding
I ordered this book through amazon.com when there where no reviews-- tooka chance and did it ever pay off.So now i'm writing a review for the nextguy who is looking for a good book to get HANDS-ON sql experience with.You should have some understanding of relational databases and abasicunderstanding of sql to get the maximum from this book, but that's notnecessary, first time sql self-teachers stand to benefit greatly from italso.I definitely recommend it to anyone wanting to gain furtherunderstanding of SQL and relational databases. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Computer Books: Languages    2. Computers    3. Computers - Data Base Management    4. Computers - Languages / Programming    5. Database Management - General    6. Programming Languages - SQL    7. Relational Databases    8. SQL (Computer program language)    9. Sql (Programming Language)    10. Computers / Programming Languages / SQL    11. Databases & data structures    12. SQL   

Reviews (2)

Reference Book with Little Competition
MDX Solutions is an essential reference book for anyone using Analysis Services 2005. No other book covers the subject as thoroughly as this one. However, it remains only a reference book. It is thick, extremely dense, and not a tutorial that you can read cover to cover. Believe me; I've tried, more than once in fact.
The [MDX] Bible just got better
The first edition of MDX Solutions is without a doubt the MDX bible. My copy goes with me wherever I may encounter any MDX-writing requirements. It is by far the most tattered, thumbed-through textbook I own.
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Subjects:  1. Client/server computing    2. Computer Books: Database    3. Computers    4. Computers - Data Base Management    5. Database Management - Data Warehousing    6. Database Management - General    7. Database Management - SQL Server    8. MDX (Computer program language)    9. OLAP technology    10. Computers / Database Management / Data Warehousing    11. Databases & data structures   

Editorial Review

Oracle Financials play a big role in the information infrastructures ofmany companies, and a solid understanding of that environment can pay very largedividends in consulting work. Read more

Reviews (14)

Great introduction to Financials
Though the Financials OCP exam is being retired, the Financials package itself remains unchanged.This book is still the best introduction to how to use Oracle Financials.

Exam retires in June 2001
The exam this book relates to retires in about 2 weeks from now and Oracle Corporation has not given an indication of what will succeed this exam. Packed with info
Most complete treatment of Financials I've seen.Excellent book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Certification    2. Certification Guides - General    3. Computer Bks - Certification    4. Computer Books: Database    5. Computers    6. Computers - Certification    7. Database Management - General    8. Database Management - Oracle    9. Database management    10. Electronic data processing per    11. Electronic data processing personnel    12. Examinations    13. Finance    14. Financial Applications - General    15. Financial Economics (General)    16. Oracle (Computer file)    17. Relational Databases    18. Study guides   

Features

• Illustrated

Reviews (100)

Still quite relevant for Sybase developers
Although there aren't too many Sybase databases anymore, quite a few firms (esp. in Finance) have them and if you find yourself working with Sybase I strongly recommend this book. It's been a great. The sections on Error handling (Ch.9), transactions and locking (Ch.11) and built-in Functions (Ch.12) have been invaluable over the years.
Good resource for T-SQL information
I purchased my copy back in 1999 and it is one of my favorite SQL books.I find the information very accurate and relevant to the MS SQL versions (6.5 & 7.0) printed on the cover of the book.I think it was the best SQL book for many years.Since 1999, many books for newer versions of database servers have been published.
Good book with easy-to-find answers to your questions
Judging from the other reviews here, people either love this book or they hate it.I love it.This book has proved invaluable to me over the years, and I still reference it on occassion.Whenever I have a question about something, the answer is easy to find.It *is* out of date, as other reviewers have noted, but the majority of information contained within is still valid.
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Subjects:  1. Computer Books And Software    2. Computers    3. Computers - Languages / Programming    4. Database Management - General    5. Programming - General    6. Programming Languages - SQL    7. Relational Databases    8. SQL (Computer program language    9. SQL (Computer program language)    10. Sql (Programming Language)    11. Computers / Languages / Programming    12. Computers / Programming Languages / SQL    13. Computers/Database Management - General    14. Database software    15. SQL    16. Transact-SQL, Microsoft SQL Server, Sybase SQL Server, SQL   

Reviews (4)

Does not cover the important new features
I bought the book, based on previous positive critics here (Amazon).The implication was that this book covers the new features of SQL Server 2005.Well, the first one that I was looking for, the PIVOT (crosstab) is not even mentioned, let alone covered even briefly.I did not search all the new features, but if you want a book that cover both old and new features, this one is certainly NOT the one that you should look for.
Practical and Usable
The authors have experience both as T-SQL developers and trainers, and it shows. Essential concepts and techniques are explained clearly without talking down to the reader. There's thorough coverage of the most commonly used T-SQL elements, in an easy-to-read style. It's well organized and includes appendices and a good index, making it easy to use as a reference. I work with both SQL Server 2000 and 2005, so it's ideal that the book covers both environments.
Good for non-techie beginners!
I don't consider myself a techie but recently became interested in learning more about SQL and how it can help me do my job more efficiently. I found the structure, content and style of this book to be very useful in my quest to teach myself the program. It was easy to understand and helped me to learn the basics with a hands-on approach. My lack of experience caught up to me in some of the later chapters but overall I found the book extremely informative and I've benefited greatly from reading it. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Computer Books: Database    2. Computers    3. Computers - Languages / Programming    4. Database Management - General    5. Database management    6. Programming Languages - SQL    7. SQL server    8. Computers / Database Management / General    9. SQL   

Reviews (3)

A book for deep technical understanding Spatial Databases
Last summer, when I was asked to present an "Advanced GIS" course for some of grad students in Geomatics, I was fortunate enough to find this book on my first round of serach. It is a great book with deep technical explanation of the subject and its applications. It is more a type of textbook than a book can be used by general public. However, public users may still find some chapters informative. I recommend this book as a grad textbook for those who need technical undetrstanding of spatial databases in GIS.

A textbook geared to advanced GIS analysts
Very nicely written book. It is quite technical, with a very detailed and mathematically-oriented exposition. More suitable for a classroom teaching or for a GIS software developer/expert analyst than for the average user. Contains great chapters on representation of spatial objects and concepts, and computational geometry algorithms. Many years of researches are collected into 1 place
I have been in GIS and graphics research and development for more than 10 years. GIS is a area that is mixed with technical and management issues greatly; therefore, there is very few truly technical books that is focus on computing issues in GIS.Read more

Subjects:  1. Computer Books: General    2. Computers - Data Base Management    3. Database Engineering    4. Database Management - General    5. Earth Sciences - Geography    6. Geographic information systems    7. Information Storage & Retrieval    8. Information Systems (Geography)    9. Science    10. Computers / Information Storage & Retrieval    11. Databases & data structures    12. Geographical information systems (GIS)   

Reviews (19)

No peer.
I use(d) this book as the basis towards my WIN2K MCDBA...It is superior to anything out there including Microsoft's Official MCSE [Exam 70-228] SQL Server 2000 SA Training Kit... includes everything one needs assuming one immerses oneself in the book from Day 1 through Day 21 in addition to Day 22 (SQL Server Analysis Services (OLAP)) and Day 23 (English Query).It is both a superior reference book and programmer's guide. After purchasing Microsoft's official references I found myself repeatedly (frustrated by their shortcomings and referring back to this particular SAMS text). Enough cannot be said about this book.
I liked the book
The book was ok. It has taught me a lot. However, it is not without its easily seen errors.
GREAT Book
I have a LOT of access experience and wanted to move to SQL Server.
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Reviews (16)

SQL RS Beyond the basics (and some basics too)
If you're a moderately skilled programmer, a self-learner, and you want to get beyond just "getting started" deploying and using Sql Server 2000 Reporting Services, this is the book for you.
Excellent and surprisingly good.
For a total beginner (which I definately was) this is a FANTASTIC introduction to Reporting Services. Three months after starting my first job as a programmer straight out of University, and now I'm the main person in the firm with Reporting Services knowledge - and it's all thanks to this book.
Good for developers
This book has been written from a VB programmers point of view. If you want to just start creating reports or if you're not a VB programmer (ie DBA etc) you may find this hard work.As another reviewer mentioned, you may find the authors' jokes and writing style to be a hit and miss affair.
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Subjects:  1. Computer Books: Database    2. Computers    3. Computers - Data Base Management    4. Database Management - General    5. Database Management - Oracle    6. Computers / Database Management / General    7. Database software    8. Databases & data structures   

Reviews (19)

good reference book
I use it frequently when I want more details, use it in addition to redbooks and manuals

Very extensive
[A review of the 5th EDITION 2004.]
Great Reference Book
This book was very useful in providing me a greater understanding of the material. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Computer Books: Database    2. Computers    3. Computers - Data Base Management    4. Database Management - General    5. Database management    6. IBM Database 2    7. Relational Databases    8. Computers / Database Management / General    9. dBase   

Reviews (4)

DB2(R) SQL PL: Essential Guide for DB2(R) UDB on Linux(TM), UNIX(R), Windows(TM), i5/OS(TM), and z/OS(R) (2nd Edition
Has been extremely helpful. Good information

A very good book on DB2 SQL PL
I didn't know anything about writing DB2 stored procedures until I bought this book. After reading it I have written several procedures to aid in data migration. It is well laid out and has all the necessary information. The best part is that you don't feel like you are reading a technical book.

embed yourself in db2
The book describes IBM's Procedural Language, which runs on their db2 servers. It is not a general purpose language, like C or Java. Rather, it is tied directly to db2 and IBM's implementation of SQL. But within this context, the book explains the expressive power of PL. It shows at length how you can write stored procedures, triggers and functions in PL. The level of detail and the cited examples should reassure you of PL's capability.
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Subjects:  1. Computer Books: Database    2. Computers    3. Computers - Data Base Management    4. Database Management - General    5. Database management    6. Programming Languages - SQL