Instant SQL Programming

Ok, it's 10 years since this book was written and it is still the one I use as my SQL reference. One note - I'm a programmer, not a DBA. So my SQL needs are pretty simple. But if you want a basic reference that covers all of the basics clearly - this is the book.

I found this book both easy to read and packed with good SQL examples. As a VB & VC++ programmer, I ended up reading the book from cover to cover.

I have been working with sql for years and this is by far the best book I have read.Extremely easy to follow.Joe has a way of making even the most complicated aspects of sql seem trivial!! I highly recommend this book!

I have used SQL for a couple years and thought I knew all I needed to know. This book shows you everything! You learn all aspects of SQL including designing and creating databases right down to finding out if your doing an inner or outer join. An excellent book I would recommend to anyone needing to learn SQL for any reason. You can learn as much or as little as you need. And the knowledge will stick with you. It does need a few more code examples but the logic is there explaining anything you need to understand. I started using the things I learned in this book immediately in my job. Great book!

I have read several books on SQL and while they have been useful none of them have explaned SQL as simply and clearly as this one. Probably the best and most unique part of this book is the explanation of how SQL actually works. If you are comming from a programming background you are going to be in for some convusion. SQL is not a procedural programming language but a set based one. The book clarifies this difference and helps programmers get off on the right foot. The book also covers the SQL language and syntax to a depth that is just right. SQL can be very complicated but only the experts will need to deal with those nitty gritty details that would only confuse most people (see Joe's book SQL For Smarties if you want the nitty gritty or are already an expert - or at least think you are!).. If there is one shortcomming to this book it is that it lacks significant examples of SQL in actual use. Check for "cookbook" type SQL titles to compliment this book if you need such help