Oracle SQL Interactive Workbook

by Rischert, Alice

• ISBN13: 9780131002777
• ISBN10: 0131002775
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2002-12-24
• Publisher: Prentice Hall

Summary

bull; bull;Write efficient Oracle SQL statements-now! bull;Fully updated for Oracle 9i (including Release 2) bull;No Oracle SQL experience necessary! bull;Avoid the common pitfalls bull;Dozens of self-review questions and answers make sure you understand! bull;100's of exercises cover the real-world tasks that matter most! New to Oracle development? This integrated book-and-Web learning solution will help you master Oracle SQL-fast! Fully updated for Oracle 9i, it teaches every Oracle SQL skill you need through hands-on labs, exercises, projects, and our exclusive, FREE Web-based training site. You'll master all types of joins (including the new ANSI join syntax); SQL functions; subqueries; set operators; sequences, views, and indexes; the data dictionary; dynamic SQL; security; optimization; the SQL*Plus and iSQL*Plus environments; and much more. Every Prentice Hall Oracle Interactive Workbook is fully integrated with its own exclusive Web site, giving you all this and more: bull; bull;"Test Your Thinking" project solutions and detailed explanations bull;Additional self-review exercises with instant feedback and explanations bull;Gain knowledge that takes years to acquire. This book makes you leap ahead of the pack! bull;The essential SQL knowledge and beyond, presented in an easy-to-understand format

Author Biography

ALICE RISCHERT chairs the Database Application Development and Design track at the Computer Technology and Application Program at Columbia University. She has taught Oracle SQL to hundreds of students and has presented at Oracle conferences. Rischert has worked with Oracle for over 10 years and currently consults on large Oracle data warehouse and system integration projects.

Foreword by Peter Koletze

Table of Contents

(NOTE: All chapters conclude with Test Your Thinking.)
Foreword.
Acknowledgments.
About the Author.
Introduction.
1. SQL and Data.

Data, Databases, and the Definition of SQL. Table Relationships. The Student Schema Diagram.

2. SQL: The Basics.

The SQL*Plus Environment. The Anatomy of a SELECT Statement. Editing a SQL Statement. The WHERE Clause: Comparison and Logical Operators. The ORDER BY Clause.

3. Character, Number, and Miscellaneous Functions.

Character Functions. Number Functions. Miscellaneous Single-Row Functions.

4. Date and Conversion Functions.

Applying Oracle's Date Format Models. Performing Date and Time Math. Using the New Oracle 9i DATETIME Datatypes. Performing Calculations with the INTERVAL Datatype. Converting from One Datatype to Another.

5. Aggregate Functions, Group By, and Having.

Aggregate Functions. The GROUP BY and HAVING Clauses.

6. Equijoins.

The Two-Table Join. Joining Three or More Tables.

7. Subqueries.

Simple Subqueries. Correlated Subqueries. Inline Views, Scalar Subquery Expressions, and the Subquery WITH Clause. ANY, SOME, and ALL Operators in Subqueries.

8. Set Operators.

The Power of UNION and UNION ALL. The MINUS and INTERSECT Set Operators.

9. Complex Joins.

Outer Joins. Self-Joins.

10. Insert, Update, and Delete.

Creating Data and Transaction Control. Updating and Deleting Data.

11. Create, Alter, and Drop Tables.

Creating and Dropping Tables. Altering Tables and Manipulating Constraints.

12. Views, Indexes, and Sequences.

Creating and Modifying Views. Indexes. Sequences.

13. The Data Dictionary and Dynamic SQL Scripts.

The Oracle Data Dictionary Views. Dynamic SQL Scripts.

14. Security.

Users, Privileges, Roles, and Synonyms.

15. Advanced SQL Queries.

Advanced SQL Concepts and Analytical Functions. ROLLUP and CUBE Operators. Hierarchical Queries.

16. SQL Optimization.

The Oracle Optimizer and Writing Effective SQL Statements.

Appendix A. Answers to Self-Review Questions.
Appendix B. SQL Formatting Guide.
Appendix C. SQL*Plus Command Reference.
Appendix D. Student Database Schema.
Appendix E. Table and Column Descriptions.
Appendix F. Additional Example Tables.
Appendix G. Navigating through the Oracle Documentation.
Appendix H. Resources.
Index.

Excerpts

Introduction The SQL language is the de facto standard language for relational databases, and Oracle's database server is the leading relational database on the market today. The Oracle SQL Interactive Workbook, second edition, presents an introduction to the Oracle SQL language in a unique and highly effective format. Rather than being a reference book, it guides you through the basic skills until you reach a mastery of the language. The book challenges you to work through hands-on guided tasks rather than read through descriptions. You will be able to retain the material more easily and the additional example questions reinforce and further enhance the learning experience. Who This Book Is For This book is intended for anyone requiring a background in Oracle's implementation of the SQL language. In particular, application developers, system designers, and database administrators will find many practical and representative real-world examples. Students new to Oracle will gain the necessary experience and confidence to apply their knowledge in solving typical problems they face in the work situation. Individuals already familiar with Oracle SQL but wishing a firmer foundation or those interested in the new Oracle 9i features will discover many of the useful tips, tricks, and information. The initial audience for the book was the students of the Oracle SQL class at Columbia University's Computer Technology and Applications program. The student body has a wide-ranging level of technology experience. Their questions, learning approaches, and feedback provided the framework for this book. Many students cited the hands-on exercises as critical to their understanding of database technology and the SQL language and continuously asked for more examples and additional challenging topics. This book shares much of the material presented in the classroom and looks at the various angles of many solutions to a particular issue. What Makes This Book Different Unlike other SQL books, this book discusses Oracle's specific implementation of the language. Learning the language alone is not enough. The book also teaches you how to adopt good habits and teaches you about many Oracle-specific technology features that are essential to successful systems development. The book's exercises build knowledge step-by-step by introducing you to relational database concepts, the SQL*Plus environment, and the SQL language. Learning involves not just reading about a subject, but also doing it. The book's focus is to give the reader examples of how the SQL language is commonly used, with many exercises reinforcing the learning experience. Unlike other SQL books, this book is not a reference book. The best way to learn the SQL language is to perform the exercises and compare your answers with the sample answers and accompanying explanations. After you have completed the exercises, the companion Web site contains additional questions to test your understanding. It also lists the solutions to the Test Your Thinking exercises at the end of each chapter. You can access the companion Web site at www.phptr.comischert. This book does not cover the entire Oracle SQL syntax, but emphasizes the essentials of the most-frequently used features with many examples to reinforce the learning. We hope that you will enjoy this learning experience and come away with the knowledge you hoped to gain. How This Book Is Organized Each chapter of the book is divided into labs covering a particular topic. The objective of each lab is defined at its beginning, with brief examples that introduce the reader to the covered concepts. Following the lab's introductory examples are exercises that are the heart of the lab which reinforce and expand the reader's knowledge of the subject. Each exercise consists of a series of steps to follow to perform specific tasks, or particular questions that are