Ebook Beginning SQL

This book starts right from the basics with databases and SQL. Prior database or SQL knowledge is not necessary, as this book covers everything from database design to creating your first database and understanding how the SQL language is used with databases.

If you have some previous experience with databases and SQL, then you’ll have a head start and you may want to just skim Chapter 1. You’ll need to follow its instructions for creating the book’s example database, as this is used for all the examples throughout the book.

This book will look at Structured Query Language, or SQL as it’s usually abbreviated. SQL works with a database to create the database and to insert and extract data. Therefore, it’s essential to understand the theory and concepts behind database systems. Hence, this book also covers database theory and database design, so that you’re equipped to create an effective database.

The SQL code in this book reflects the modern SQL standards set by organizations such as the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the International Standards Organization (ISO). However, while standards are great, what’s available for practical use is what really counts. This book, then, concentrates on the sort of SQL supported by most modern database systems. You should that find most of the code runs with little or no modification on most database systems released within the last six or seven years.