SQL in a Nutshell : A Desktop Quick Reference

by Kline, Kevin

• ISBN13: 9781565927445
• ISBN10: 1565927443
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2000-12-01
• Publisher: Oreilly & Associates Inc

Summary

SQL (Structured Query Language) is a standardized query language for requesting information from a database. Historically, SQL has been the choice for database management systems running on minicomputers and mainframes. Increasingly, however, SQL is being adapted to PC database systems because it supports distributed databases--databases that are spread out over several computer systems, so that several users on a local-area network can access the same database simultaneously. Although there are different dialects of SQL, it is the closest thing to a standard query language that currently exists.SQL in a Nutshellis a practical and useful command reference to the latest release of the Structured Query Language (SQL99), helping readers learn how their favorite database product supports any standard SQL command. This book presents each of the SQL commands and describes its use in both commercial (Microsoft SQL Server 2000 and Oracle 8i) and open source (MySQL, PostgreSQL 7.0) implementations. Each command reference includes the command syntax (by vendor, if the syntax differs across implementations), a description, and informative examples that illustrate important concepts and uses.SQL in a Nutshell is more than a convenient reference guide for experienced SQL programmers, analysts, and database administrators. It's also a great learning resource for novice and auxiliary SQL users such as system administrators, users of packaged client/server products, and consultants who need to be familiar with the various SQL dialects across many platforms.

Table of Contents

Preface	v
SQL, Vendor Implementations, and Some History	1	(8)
The Relational Database Model	1	(1)
The Databases Described in This Book	2	(1)
The SQL Standard	2	(4)
Dialects of SQL	6	(1)
Principles of Relational Databases	7	(2)
Foundational Concepts	9	(18)
Row Processing Versus Set Processing	9	(1)
The Relational Model	10	(1)
SQL99 and Vendor-Specific Datatypes	10	(8)
Processing NULIS	18	(1)
Categories of Syntax	19	(4)
Using SQL	23	(3)
Conclusion	26	(1)
SQL Statements Command Reference	27	(136)
Recommended Reading Approach	27	(1)
Quick SQL Command Reference	27	(69)
Drop Statements	96	(66)
Conclusion	162	(1)
SQL Functions	163	(31)
Deterministic and Nondeterministic Functions	163	(1)
Types of Functions	164	(11)
Vendor Extensions	175	(19)
Unimplemented SQL99 Commands	194	(3)
Appendix---SQL99 and Vendor-Specific Keywords	197	(8)
Index	205