Reviews for SQL: The Complete Reference, Second Edition (Osborne Complete Reference Series)

1. Complete but disappointing - not suitble for beginners

   Rated 2 out of 5 stars, January 12th, 2004

   Whilst this is a complete reference book with examples, there is a real flaw in its structure, especially for novices. The primary problems arise from the ability to access examples on the CD. The first chapters present the user with example SQL queries. This "wets the appetite", making the reader keen to try the examples out. However, you need to load the examples into a database. Not so easy, this requires you to create the database and tables. Okay, so the book shows the SQL code used to create the tables. However, the SQL code has foreign keys that reference the other tables (which you've still to create). So you're in a chicken and egg situation, when you're just at the beginning of the book looking to do some simple "select" statements. This is the most frustrating aspect of this book. Secondly you'll need to make sure you have a development environment such as Windows NT, anything else and installing and running the demo's is a real chore. This book was helpful for reference but needs to provide greater user friendliness to enable you to get working from the first chapters.

2. Good but flawed by lack of Oracle examples.

   Rated 4 out of 5 stars, January 12th, 2000

   Whilst the book is generally very good, it was let down for me by it's lack of specific examples of Oracle implementation. My only other quibble is that in common with most books of this type it does tend to bore with endless business examples about sales targets and OFFICE_REF_NUM's.

3. Useful but flawed

   Rated 3 out of 5 stars, October 12th, 1999

   While an excellent introduction to SQL, this book has a number of flaws that detract from it being a "Complete Reference". Most obviously, it suffers from first edition syndrome, with the text littered with obvious typos and minor errors, particularly in the chapter on Dynamic SQL. These shouldn't pose a serious problem to comprehension, however. Despite its technical content, the book seems more tailored for management than techies, with examples centred around salespeople and a strong summary flavour in the latter chapters. You would definitely need to use it in conjuction with vendor documentation for anything beyond basic SQL; but maybe that goes with the territory. The authors seem unwilling to stick their neck out and actually criticise any of the products mentioned; but there seems to be a definite bias towards expensive (Postgresql, MySQL and mSQL aren't mentioned at all, despite their wide deployment in cost-sensitive applications) databases, and an unspoken and unexplained resentment towards Oracle. Oh, and it's too long. I still recommend it for the clear explanations (the authors clearly understand the territory), and broad coverage.

4. A good way to learn the basics of SQL.

   Rated 5 out of 5 stars, August 12rd, 1999

   This is the first SQL book that I have read.

   I was able to start using SQL as soon as I started reading it. It has helped me get a thorough understanding of the history and practice of using SQL.

5. Excellent book.

   Rated 5 out of 5 stars, July 12th, 1999

   I had no previous experience in SQL and I needed to learn it fast for my job. I chose this book because it got good reviews, and I have no regrets that I bought it. The book is excellent for beginners as well as intermediate level programmers. The material is presented clearly and logically, and explanations and examples are very helpful. I would highly recommend this book to everyone who wants to learn SQL as well as to everyone who is looking for a good reference book.