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What our customer's say!

"exactly as the title describes...", 0 to sql in just a few days. starts with basic relational database information and continues all the way up through advanced SQL functions. handy tear-out quick-reference card included.

"We love it!", Hardcore DBAs have knocked this book, but I have coworkers who reference it daily and they are now very experienced and knowledgable of SQL.

"SQL for Dummies", If you know absolutely nothing about SQL, this book is for you!

"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.
All of the basics are covered at the level one expects from the series, and at the level of the beginner. Of course, some people will struggle with the book, as there is no precise definition of "beginner", or "dummy" for that matter. Nevertheless, if you need to learn the fundamentals of SQL in a hurry, then this book is the one for you. It is simple, direct and just thorough enough to put you on the right track.


"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.

Unfortunately, SQL for Dummies, turned out to be that absolute worst technical book I have ever laid eyes on.

It jumps from topic to topic without ever really explaining anything. It uses examples that are unecessarily complex -- I get the feeling his examples just come from years of working with databases, rather than a desire to illustrate any particular thing -- and the examples are never explained. Over and over, there will be a snippet of SQL code used as an example, and I will wonder, "what does this or that part of the statement do?" But he never explains anything. He just throws it out there and then moves on.

Dummies books always have a conversational tone, but the tone in this book is overly hokey and just reads like meaningless filler; all the more frustrating because there isn't really any content that it's filling in between.

All I wanted was the basics of database design and interaction, an enumeration of the commands used for creating and interacting with databases and why some actions are useful and for what, and examples throughout of how one would do typical things. Instead I got an intolerable and incoherent ramble.

Read this reviews before You buy...

"Would Rate This Book 6 stars out of 5", I bought SQL for Dummies when I was handed a web project that demanded a high traffic database. Previous to the purchase I had only worked with flat text files and had no SQL experience. This book can take you from basic database design all the way up to advanced SQL issues. Thanks to SQL for Dummies I never lost pace with the project. It explained terms and issues very plainly. It also had excellent example code. I still use the book today as an excellent reference tool.

If you were stranded on Database Island, this would be the only book you would need...

"You will be dummy if you buy this book", Poorly written, jumps back and force between the topics not yet explained

"Definitely NOT for beginners", This book assumes you already know the basics of SQL and programming. Feh! I sent it back and got PL/SQL 101...a book that REALLY understands how to teach beginners with no prior experience in SQL.

"SQL, Unequalled", Buying any book targeted for 'dummies' sets the record straight in terms of my knowledge of SQL. I'm a South African computer science student and bought SQL for Dummies to supplement material prescribed by the university.

Firstly, the book is set out in an easy to understand manner starting with the section called Contents at a Glance and followed by an extensive Table of Contents. The text uses icons for tips, things to remember, warnings, technical stuff, etc. which reinforces key concepts.

Mr Taylor conveys his thoughts on a serious subject, particularly for first timers, in a humourous manner making the subject even more accessible. The contents of the book is set out in clear and concise way, with key topics highlighted. The book is extensive in its covering of the subject, not only directed at building and extracting information from a database, but also giving information on security issues and using SQL with the internet.

I found the book of particular use and can recommend it to any newcomers to SQL.

"Excellent Starting Point", The last time I worked with databases, my entire computer (RAM + mass storage) had less than one MEGAbyte of memory. No hard disk, just two 360 kB floppy disk drives and 128K of RAM. I just got saddled with a data-mining project that will process tens of gigabytes of data in a networked environment. My analysis tools can use SQL to access the data. This book was the first thing I insisted on. (Kind of embarassing for a senior person to be seen carrying a thick yellow and black book with the word "DUMMIES" on it ...)

This has proven to be an excellent starting point. I know plenty about computers and programming. I vaguely remember the essentials of relational databases (for those who don't, basic information is in the book, it should be enough to get started, even if you are absolutely ignorant!) Taylor packaged enough of the right information that I could read his book over the weekend and dive into the planning stages of our project on Monday sounding like I knew a thing or two.

The book charts a course from the most basic elements of databases to modestly complicated database and query materials. The author discusses common pitfalls and useful strategies. This book isn't enough, by itself, to turn somebody into a database wonk, but it's a great starting point.

I got a bit annoyed by some of the "cute" material used to make the subject seem less threatening, but that filler doesn't take up too much space and is easily skipped. Also, the book is overly Microsoft centered--the author uses Windows applications as examples and champions Microsofts ODBC. A section about using SQL in a Unix/Linux environment should have been included (access from shell scripts, PERL, etc?). A solid four-star introduction to SQL and database technology in a Microsoft world.

(If you'd like to discuss this book or review in more detail, please click on the "about me" link above and drop me some email. Thanks!)