The Language of SQL

by Rockoff, Larry

• ISBN13: 9780134658254
• ISBN10: 0134658256
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2016-07-27
• Publisher: Addison-Wesley Professional

Summary

The Language of SQL, Second Edition

Many SQL texts attempt to serve as an encyclopedic reference on SQL syntax -- an approach that is often counterproductive, because that information is readily available in online references published by the major database vendors. 

For SQL beginners, it’s more important for a book to focus on general concepts and to offer clear explanations and examples of what various SQL statements can accomplish. This is that book.

A number of features make  The Language of SQL unique among introductory SQL books.

First, you will not be required to download software or sit with a computer as you read the text. The intent of this book is to provide examples of SQL usage that can be understood simply by reading.

Second, topics are organized in an intuitive and logical sequence. SQL keywords are introduced one at a time, allowing you to grow your understanding as you encounter new terms and concepts. 

Finally, this book covers the syntax of three widely used databases: Microsoft SQL Server, MySQL, and Oracle. Special “Database Differences” sidebars clearly show you any differences in syntax among these three databases, and instructions are included on how to obtain and install free versions of the databases. 

This is the only book you need to gain a quick working knowledge of SQL and relational databases.

Learn How To...

• Use SQL to retrieve data from relational databases
• Apply functions and calculations to data
• Group and summarize data in a variety of useful ways
• Use complex logic to retrieve only the data you need
• Update data and create new tables
• Design relational databases so that data retrieval is easy and intuitive
• Use spreadsheets to transform your data into meaningful displays
• Retrieve data from multiple tables via joins, subqueries, views, and set logic 
• Create, modify, and execute stored procedures
• Install Microsoft SQL Server, MySQL, or Oracle

Contents at a Glance

1  Relational Databases and SQL

2  Basic Data Retrieval

3  Calculated Fields and Aliases

4  Using Functions

5  Sorting Data

6  Selection Criteria

7  Boolean Logic

8  Conditional Logic

9  Summarizing Data

10 Subtotals and Crosstabs

11 Inner Joins

12 Outer Joins

13 Self Joins and Views

14 Subqueries

15 Set Logic

16 Stored Procedures and Parameters

17 Modifying Data

18 Maintaining Tables

19 Principles of Database Design

20 Strategies for Displaying Data

A Getting Started with Microsoft SQL Server

B Getting Started with MySQL

C Getting Started with Oracle

Author Biography

Larry Rockoff has been involved with SQL and business intelligence development for many years. His main area of interest is with using reporting tools to explore and analyze data in complex databases. He holds an MBA from the University of Chicago, with a specialization in Management Science. He currently works with data warehouse and reporting applications for a major retail pharmacy. Besides writing about SQL, he has also published books on Microsoft Access and Excel. He also maintains a website which features book reviews on technology topics, focusing on analytics and business intelligence, as well as broader issues regarding technology and society at www.larryrockoff.com

Table of Contents

The Language of SQL, 2nd Edition

Introduction

   Topics and Features

   What’s New in the Second Edition

   Plan of the Book

   Companion Website

1. Relational Databases and SQL

   SQL Defined

   Microsoft SQL Server, MySQL, and Oracle

   Relational Databases

   Primary and Foreign Keys 

   Datatypes

   NULL Values

   The Significance of SQL

2. Basic Data Retrieval

   A Simple SELECT

   Syntax Notes

   Comments

   Specifying Columns 

   Column Names with Embedded Spaces

   Preview of the Full SELECT

3. Calculated Fields and Aliases

   Literal Values

   Arithmetic Calculations

   Concatenating Fields

   Column Aliases

   Table Aliases

4. Using Functions

   Functions Defined

   Character Functions

   Composite Functions

   Date/Time Functions

   Numeric Functions

   Conversion Functions

5. Sorting Data

   Sorting in Ascending Order

   Sorting in Descending Order

   Sorting by Multiple Columns

   Sorting by a Calculated Field

   Sort Sequences

6. Selection Criteria

   Applying Selection Criteria

   WHERE Clause Operators

   Limiting Rows

   Limiting Rows with a Sort

   Pattern Matching

   Wildcards

7. Boolean Logic

   Complex Logical Conditions

   The AND Operator

   The OR Operator

   Using Parentheses

   Multiple Sets of Parentheses

   The NOT Operator

   The BETWEEN Operator

   The IN Operator

   Boolean Logic and NULL Values

8. Conditional Logic

   The CASE Expression

   The Simple Format

   The Searched Format

   Conditional Logic in ORDER BY Clauses

   Conditional Logic in WHERE Clauses

9. Summarizing Data

   Eliminating Duplicates

   Aggregate Functions

   The COUNT Function

   Grouping Data

   Multiple Columns and Sorting

   Selection Criteria on Aggregates

   Conditional Logic in GROUP BY Clauses

   Conditional Logic in HAVING Clauses

   Ranking Functions

   Partitions

10. Subtotals and Crosstabs

    Adding Subtotals with ROLLUP

    Adding Subtotals with CUBE

    Creating Crosstab Layouts

11. Inner Joins

    Joining Two Tables

    The Inner Join

    Table Order in Inner Joins

    Alternate Specification of Inner Joins

    Table Aliases Revisited

12. Outer Joins

    The Outer Join

    Left Joins

    Testing for NULL Values

    Right Joins

    Table Order in Outer Joins

    Full Joins

    Cross Joins

13. Self Joins and Views

    Self Joins

    Creating Views

    Referencing Views

    Benefits of Views

    Modifying and Deleting Views

14. Subqueries

    Types of Subqueries

    Using a Subquery as a Data Source

    Using a Subquery in Selection Criteria

    Correlated Subqueries

    The EXISTS Operator

    Using a Subquery as a Calculated Column

    Common Table Expressions

15. Set Logic

    Using the UNION Operator

    Distinct and Non-Distinct Unions

    Intersecting Queries

16. Stored Procedures and Parameters

    Creating Stored Procedures

    Parameters in Stored Procedures

    Executing Stored Procedures

    Modifying and Deleting Stored Procedures

    Functions Revisited

17. Modifying Data

    Modification Strategies

    Inserting Data

    Deleting Data

    Updating Data

    Correlated Subquery Updates

18. Maintaining Tables

    Data Definition Language

    Table Attributes

    Table Columns

    Primary Keys and Indexes

    Foreign Keys

    Creating Tables

    Creating Indexes

19. Principles of Database Design

    Goals of Normalization

    How to Normalize Data

    The Art of Database Design

    Alternatives to Normalization

20. Strategies for Displaying Data

    Crosstab Layouts Revisited

    Excel and External Data

    Excel Pivot Tables

A. Getting Started with Microsoft SQL Server

   Installing SQL Server 2014 Express

   Installing SQL Server 2014 Management Studio Express

   Using SQL Server 2014 Management Studio Express

B. Getting Started with MySQL

   Installing MySQL

   Using MySQL Workbench

C. Getting Started with Oracle

   Installing Oracle Database Express Edition

   Using Oracle Database Express Edition