Reviews (12)

Excellent information in an unwieldy wrapper
I found the information in this book to be quite good.There was a lot of focus on the interweaving of multiple techonologies that is required by RAC, and a significant amount of detail in each chapter.I think this book is a great start for a RAC DBA or DB and systems architects.
Worked for me!
I used this book to deploy Oracle 10g RAC on Linux and UNIX. I felt that it was a good book and overall I have little ill to say about it. The examples are well written and do a good job of reinforcing what you read in the chapter. You read a little then do an example, then read some more, then add to the example and so on. You don't need any Administrative experience to use this book just a decent understanding of database design. The only criticism I could offer is that the editor should have used arrows when content is being continued on a new line for reasons of page space so that readers will know and understand (beginners can have trouble with this). It's a good book for learning Oracle 10g as a whole from the ground up and for this reason it's worth the money. It's not an overnight crash course (if that is what you are looking for).

Really good technical details
I found that Oracle RAC is very complex and I was very happy to find the amount of technical details in this book.It guided me stepwise through a complicated RAC installation and the online scripts were most helpful to me.This is a book I recommend to all who are getting started with RAC and Grid tech. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Computer Books: Database    2. Computers    3. Computers - Data Base Management    4. Database Management - General    5. Database Management - Oracle    6. Distributed processing    7. Electronic data processing    8. Parallel processing (Electronic computers)    9. Relational Databases    10. Computers / Database Management / General    11. Databases & data structures    12. Programming languages   

Reviews (3)

Very general.
This book covers general aspects of Oracle Application Server 10g. It is like reading an Oracle documentation, it does not give any interesting tips and tricks that I would like to see when I pay for a book, rather than seeing the same content when I read an online Oracle documentation. The only good aspect of this book might be the fact that they give you an organized but general overview of Oracle Application Server 10g, it is helpful and practical but does not go deep enough to cover some aspects that you will not see on an online Oracle documentation.

Competently done
What the heck is an "application server"? At the simplest level, it is a web server that can make dynamic web pages. Typically, the data in these pages come from a back end SQL server. As the authors show us here, the Oracle server can easily do this, where, unsurprisingly, the database is Oracle's.
Tootheoretical, no practical value
The book does credit to it's title. The information in the book
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Subjects:  1. Computer Books: Languages    2. Computers    3. Computers - Data Base Management    4. Database Management - Oracle    5. Programming Languages - SQL    6. Computers / Business Software / General    7. Computers / Data Base Management    8. Computers / Database Management / General    9. Oracle    10. Oracle Application Server, oracle portal, Oracle Application Server 10g, Oracle9i,    

Reviews (14)

Got me Through SQL CE
This and another book got me through the limitations of the .net compact framework.This book helped me understand and code my first .Net Compact Framework PDA application.I used it to build an actual application.This is a down-to-earth-make-it-happen book.I hope no one else buys it so that I am one of the few that can use SQL CE effectively!

SQL CE BIBLE
SQL CE is a very tough topic with plenty of pitfalls, this is the book you need to navigate the terrain and ship your product on time.Beginner to Advanced, this book covers it all.
A few nuggets and a lot (!) of padding
This book is padded with reference materials that you can easily find in SQL's users manual.Huge amounts of space are used to show full source examples (in both C# and VB) of incredibly simple concepts.There is a 45 page chapter on Operator Reference which includes three whole pages on using the plus sign, and another three on the minus sign.Yes SQLCE can do addition and subtraction.Similar excessive detail is given to SQL command syntax (SELECT, INSERT, UPDATE, etc.) and SQL function references.
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Subjects:  1. Computer Books: Database    2. Computers    3. Computers - Languages / Programming    4. Database Management - General    5. Database Management - SQL Server    6. Programming - General    7. Programming Languages - C#    8. Programming Languages - General    9. Programming Languages - SQL    10. Computers / Information Technology    11. Database software    12. Databases & data structures    13. SQL   

Features

• Illustrated

Reviews (12)

Excellent Pocket Reference
Out of my several books on SQL, this is the one that I use most often. I find it most useful as it is very easy to use and has a good coverage on the subject. The keywords index is invaluable for finding the right information in the book.
This one deserves a spot in your bag
The SQL Pocket Guide: 2nd Edition "is an attempt to cram the most useful information about SQL into a pocket-size guide." That's the first sentence of the introduction and is the best description I can imagine for this helpful little book. The following platforms are included in this 2nd edition: Oracle Database 10g Release 2 (including Oracle Express Edition,) IBM DB2 Universal Database Release 8.2, Microsoft SQL Server 2005, MySQL 5.0, and PostgreSQL 8.1.
SQL Pocket Guide (Paperback)
I have used this book often since I purchased it. It was worth the money that I paid for it. Very useful book because we can not keep every bit of SQL syntax on our heads. Especially for those of us that deal with different databases. I would recommend this book to my fellow Programmers/Developers. Thank you. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Computer Books: Languages    2. Computers    3. Computers - Languages / Programming    4. Database Management - General    5. Programming Languages - SQL    6. Sql (Programming Language)    7. Computers / Languages / Programming    8. Computers / Programming Languages / SQL    9. SQL    10. database, SQL, Oracle, SQL Server, MySQL, DB2, PostgreSQL   

Reviews (19)

Oblivion and Perdition
I purchased this book with the expectation that it would help me prepare for the exam. The CD provides practice exams and other resources to give one the impression they are on their way to certification. However, there are numerous errors in the book as well as on the CD, particularly with the "Edge Test" software, which incorrectly grades tests and does not allow users to select the right answers. This issue is actually moot, since the practice tests actually do not address problems presented in the certification exam. I recommend using the on-line resources affiliated with the testing organizations. They also provide discounted vouchers.

A very useful book despite all the errors!
Let me just get it out of the way by mentioning first that this book contains many errors - perhaps more than an average technical book.However, most are typographical and do not degrade the value of the book that much.
The best book to start
This book was a good way to start studying for the exam. After finishing the book you are almost ready.
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Subjects:  1. Certification    2. Certification Guides - MCSE    3. Computer Books: Operating Systems    4. Computers    5. Computers - Certification    6. Database Management - General    7. Database Management - SQL Server    8. Electronic data processing per    9. Electronic data processing personnel    10. Examinations    11. Microsoft software    12. Programming Languages - SQL    13. Relational Databases    14. Sql (Programming Language)    15. Study guides    16. Computers / Technical Skills    17. Database software    18. Databases & data structures    19. SQL   

Subjects:  1. Computer Books And Software    2. Computers    3. Computers - Data Base Management    4. Database Management - General    5. Management Information Systems    6. Computers / Database Management / General    7. Databases & data structures   

Reviews (2)

A Lot of Good Points about this Book
There's a whole bunch to like, in my opinion, about this book and only one point that I think is pretty weak.
Really helped me understand this product!!
I downloaded SQL Server for free from microsoft but needed some guidance to help me use the product to its full potential. In searching amazon I came across this book and decided to take a chance. Wow! It gave me a great broad overview of the product without bogging me down in too many details -- great simple writing style, really easy to follow.
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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. Computer Communications & Networking    7. Computers / Database Management / General   

Reviews (11)

Very Poor Organization
I've had a terrible time learning SQL Server programming from this book.I've got lots of Oracle experience, so picking up T-SQL should have been fairly easy.
Very comprehensive book
What I like on this book is that it is very comprehensive.
Poor rewrite of old book, "old" version of SQL Server 2005
Looking for a book to use as a training guide. First of all, this book was written using a BETA version of SQL Server 2005. Many areas changed from beta to full release of SQL Server 2005, therefore already a big worry about this book. Secondly, for a beginners book to only talk about installing SQL Server in Chapter 16 (part III of the book!!!) is poor and shows a book thrown together in my opinion. It looks as if this is an update of his previous book (?) where there is text clearly about SQL Server 2000 with an "add on" sentence saying how SQL Server 2005 has changed this. For beginners this is confusing. They dont care about SQL Server 2000 or if they did they would buy a SQL Server 20005 Beginners Guide.
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Subjects:  1. Computer Books: Languages    2. Computers    3. Computers - Languages / Programming    4. Programming Languages - SQL    5. Computers / Programming Languages / SQL    6. Programming languages   

Reviews (29)

PL/SQL Learning Tool
I use this book to learn PL/SQL. It is well-written and easy to follow. The codes in the book are also helpful for learning and practicing what you are reading. The book is good for biginners and certainly useful for intermediates and experts. If you are new to PL/SQL programming, after going through this book carefully you should start writing your own codes in PL/SQL. The book can also be used as reference to check syntax or to review concepts. There are certainly other PL/SQL books but this one can be a starting point. Overall the author did a good job and I can recommend the book.

Good reference of PL/SQL programming!
I use this book for reference of PL/SQL programming. Ther're some examples in the book. The format and index of this book is good too.

Judging a book by its promise
I rate books by what the author states as the goals for the book. The Introduction to any book should tell you this. Oracle 8 PL/SQL Programming states that the book "is appropriate for both experienced programmers who neet to know just the syntax for PL/SQL and its advanced features, and for novice programmers who are not familiar with other third-generation languages." While there is much to recommend in this book it does not fulfill its promise.Read more

Subjects:  1. Certification Guides - General    2. Computer Bks - Languages / Programming    3. Computer Books: Database    4. Computers    5. Computers - Languages / Programming    6. Database Management - General    7. Database Management - Oracle    8. Oracle (Computer file)    9. PL/SQL (Computer program language)    10. Programming Languages - SQL    11. Relational Databases    12. Sql (Programming Language)    13. Oracle    14. SQL   

Reviews (17)

MCDBA, MCSE, MCSD, MCAD Training Guide
The book met the requirements of the course it was being used for... it was how ever a little bit lax on the code portion...when it came to doing the project it left a bit to be desired in clarity of how to build a data base in SQL...

Horrible!!
Why can't authors ever flow through a book in an ordely manner?What is the point of jumping from chapter to chapter?For example, many times through out this book references are being made to up coming chapters about specific topics in chapters that don't belong there.Why do you tell the reader about an up coming topic in a chapter that doesn't belong there and then ask a question about it in the chapter test.Why even make a chapter about that specific topic if your going to include it in a chapter that doesn't belong there?Thats a little redundent!!Also the author likes to give you examples on how to do certain things the right way, and then tests you on something he never covered in the chapter.If the topic has nothing to do with the chapter, do not include in the chapter.If you do include it into a chapter in which it doesn' belong, don't include it into the chapter test.How do you expect the reader to completely understand and answer the question if he or she knows nothing about it?Unless, your wanting the reader to stop what there doing, flip to the chapter and read it, then go back to the previous chapter your testing on just for that one little question that doesn't belong.Rediculous!!

Good, but not as dead on as others in the series
I just passed the 70-229 exam this morning with an 862. My study strategy involved reading this book cover to cover over a 2 week period and taking some uCertify practice exams.
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Subjects:  1. Certification    2. Certification Guides - General    3. Certification Guides - MCSE    4. Computer Books: Database    5. Computers    6. Computers - Certification    7. Database Management - General    8. Database Management - SQL Server    9. Database design    10. Electronic data processing per    11. Electronic data processing personnel    12. Examinations    13. Microsoft software    14. Relational Databases    15. Study Guides    16. Computers / Technical Skills    17. Database software    18. Databases & data structures    19. SQL   

Reviews (8)

This is a real good book to master PL/SQL
The book is good but many solutions are not tested fully so its not that they can be cut and pasted directly out of the book. you may have to troubleshoot many of them. Otherwise a real good book.

One for the must have collection !
As a Developer working predominantly with Oracle Databases for over five years, I'm always looking for books to help me produce better code.I have to say this is one of them.The author has produced a book that explains concepts in a practical manner that is also easy to read.I began reading this book just before starting a major development project and the code insights and examples assisted me greatly in this project.
By far, one of the best book on practical Pl/sql
With 15 years experience in Oracle as DBA and developer, Iwrote a lot of packages and found in this book true advices and practical solutions, wich sound good to me. The best feature is that you can experiment all the code found in it and see by yourself the advantage of using the way proposed by McDonald. I like these books where autors breaks some common ideas ans show by "A + B" that the right solution is not the most common. A real useful book written by a true professional. ... Read more

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

Subjects:  1. Certification Guides - MCSE    2. Computer Bks - Certification    3. Computer Books: Web Programming    4. Computers - Certification    5. Database Management - SQL Server    6. Computers / Networking / General    7. Education   

Reviews (4)

Sybase Dba Survival Guide
It is an excellent book i can say proudly.Because it isgiving screen by screen explanations.easy examples and exercises.how to take backups and restores the huge databases.

Sybase Documentation with a nice cover.
To the dba, this book joins the plethora of useless bound material available on the subject.Did you purchase Sybase?Well, use the vendor doc.This book is practically a verbatim copy of Sybase's owndocumentation. Version 10 - Excellent checklists, reference
Excellent checklists that pullout for quick reference.Easy to read and find things for reference.However, it is version SQL Server 10 but version 11 is available - see Sybase 11 DBA Survial Guide ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Client/server computing    2. Computer Books: Database    3. Computers - Data Base Management    4. Database Management - General    5. Relational Databases    6. Sybase    7. Database software   

Reviews (4)

Awful for a beginner
This book is hard to follow and seems to ramble on with examples in bad detail. It trys to stuff years of database theory in 321 pages, I came out wondering if I really learned anything.... I do not recommend for a beginner.

Excellent book
This product is great for beginners or people who have experience in Access.The explanation for how to do certain things is excellent.

Excellent for database concepts ...But!
As an online student (last quarter), I found this book to be helpful learning about databases and their operation.However sometimes due to the examples, it is difficult to follow the writer's thoughts.Also it would have been very helpful if the book contained a copy of the database that is used in the examples, so that I could try out the examples. Or at least offer the database online from the publisher! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Computer Books: Database    2. Computers    3. Computers - General Information    4. Database Management - General    5. Information Management    6. Information Technology    7. Management Information Systems    8. Computers / Information Technology    9. Databases & data structures   

Subjects:  1. Computer Books: Languages    2. Computers    3. Computers - Data Base Management    4. Database Engineering    5. Database Management - General    6. Database Management - SQL Server    7. Programming Languages - SQL    8. Sql (Programming Language)    9. Computers / Database Management / General    10. Database software   

Reviews (8)

could be better
The main problem I have is with the lack of editting.His choice of words can really leave you confused sometimes.I keep having to cross out unneeded words and correct his grammar so that the puzzle will be solved if I need to come back and read the same part later.
Still a bit rough, but useful
I've been a programmer for longer than most programmers have been alive, but I'm new to SQL Server and Visual Basic.This book looked like it would be the perfect introduction to both, but it seems to have been rushed to market.It appears that chapters 11 and 12 were once a single chapter, and were split without a lot of subsequent editing in either the book or the sample code on the website.On the second page of Chapter 12, for example, it says "The samples to this point in the chapter...", but there haven't been any samples to this point in the chapter.This is somewhat understandable in a printed book, but as I write this (5/13/2006) the book has been out for almost 5 months, and the sample code on the website still has all the code piled together in a folder called "Sample code for chapters 11 and 12".This makes it harder than it needs to be to find the code the author is referring to when one wants to get some context for the snippets of code in the book.
Review from a beginner's point of view
I have just a little experience in access 2000 so the thought of moving to SQL databases was scary. Rick Dobson did a great job of taking the fear out of SQL with his book Beginning SQL Server 2005 Express. He takes you step by step through the process of working with SQL Server 2005 Express. The lessons are paced for the beginners and the code examples work, that in it self is something new. He starts you at the beginners level and then brings you to some of the advanced topics.
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Subjects:  1. Computer Books: Database    2. Computers    3. Computers - Languages / Programming    4. Database Management - General    5. Database Management - SQL Server    6. Programming - General    7. Programming - Visual Basic - VBA (Visual Basic for Applicati    8. Programming Languages - General    9. Programming Languages - SQL    10. SQL server    11. Database software    12. SQL   

Reviews (2)

Raymond is too kind
I'm teaching two sections of a database administration course for which this textbook was selected.It's the worst textbook I think I've ever seen.The earlier edition, used with Oracle 9i, had all the problems Raymond noted, but at least it lined up with the Oracle release it described.
Horrible
I am using this textbook for a class in DBA using Oracle 10g.The author does a horrble job explaining the concepts and seems to jump all over the place.The step by step procedures won't work. You are better off downloading the Oracle DB and Client from Oracle and using thier install instructions.The review questions at the end of each chapter so far are lame.There are typos in the text. Don't get me wrong, there is information in this text it is just a pain in the rear to get through. For example, I need a Client to communicate with the DB, the text doesn't really cover this aspect.I dread the rest of this course... ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Computer Bks - Internet    2. Computer Books: Internet General    3. Computers    4. Computers - Data Base Management    5. Database Management - Oracle    6. Internet - General    7. Computers / Internet / General   

Reviews (4)

The very best compile of information to SQL server
Guru's Guide offers the best set of information on the marked. It quickly becomes a friend you cannot live without, when approaching the boundaries of the usual coding.
Very good collection
I was looking for some SQL Server books to get started on my work to move from Access to SQL Server and these books were just what I was looking for.

Best SQL Server Books Available
I am a database consultant with Microsoft, and would not be without these books.I strongly recommend the boxed set of three books to everyone working with SQL Server.I also personally know Ken, and his overall knowledge of SQL Server and Windows development is tops. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Client-Server Computing - General    2. Computer Books: Database    3. Computers    4. Computers - General Information    5. Database Management - General    6. Relational Databases    7. Computers / Database Management / General    8. Database software    9. Databases & data structures    10. SQL   

Reviews (4)

Missed the point in many areas
This book looks like a very useful textbook, but upon ovening the cover it does not help with the advanced concepts of Designer.Many sections, especially chapter 3, were fraught with errors, and it appears that the text was not edited for content.

Excellent Book
I have significant experience in all aspects of system design using other tools (i.e. Visio) and am working toward an Oracle Master certificate as a Design Engineer, so I found myself bypassing many of the early chapters geared toward design methodology; however, for those with less experiencethey can be very useful. Excellent all-in-one book, but could use more on generation.
As usual, the authors have produced a very useful and easily readable work.An absolute must to those interested in using this tool, especially if upgrading from earlier version.I would have recommended a little lesson methodology (well-covered in their book on Version 1.x of Designer/2000)and a lot more on generation.Success with this tool normally isdetermined by the quality of the generated output of Designer. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Computer Books: General    2. Computers    3. Computers - Data Base Management    4. Database Management - Oracle    5. Designer/2000    6. Internet - General    7. Internet - Web Site Design    8. Relational Databases    9. Software engineering    10. Oracle    11. Utilities & tools   

Subjects:  1. Computers - Languages / Programming    2. Essays    3. Political Science    4. Politics/International Relations    5. Programming Languages - SQL    6. SQL