SQL Queries for Mere Mortals: A Hands-On Guide to Data Manipulation in SQL

SQL Queries for Mere Mortals: A Hands-On Guide to Data Manipulation in SQL

<b>The #1 Easy, Common-Sense Guide to SQL Queries—Updated with More Advanced Techniques and Solutions</b> <br /> <br /> <i>Foreword by Keith W. Hare, Vice Chair, USA SQL Standards Committee</i> <br /> <br /> <b>SQL Queries for Mere Mortals</b> has earned worldwide praise as the clearest, simplest tutorial on writing effective queries with the latest SQL standards and database applications. Now, author John L. Viescas has updated this hands-on classic with even more advanced and valuable techniques.<br /> <br />Step by step, Viescas guides you through creating reliable queries for virtually any current SQL-based database. He demystifies all aspects of SQL query writing, from simple data selection and filtering to joining multiple tables and modifying sets of data.<br /> <br />Building on the basics, Viescas shows how to solve challenging real-world problems, including applying multiple complex conditions on one table, performing sophisticated logical evaluations, and using unlinked tables to think “outside the box.”<br /> <br />In two brand-new chapters, you learn how to perform complex calculations on groups for sophisticated reporting, and how to partition data into windows for more flexible aggregation.<br /> <br />Practice all you want with downloadable sample databases for today’s versions of Microsoft Office Access, Microsoft SQL Server, and the open source MySQL and PostgreSQL databases. Whether you’re a DBA, developer, user, or student, there’s no better way to master SQL.<br /> <br />Coverage includes:<br /> <ul> <li>Getting started: understanding what relational databases are, and ensuring that your database structures are sound</li> <li>SQL basics: using SELECT statements, creating expressions, sorting information with ORDER BY, and filtering data using WHERE</li> <li>Summarizing and grouping data with GROUP BY and HAVING clauses</li> <li>Drawing data from multiple tables: using INNER JOIN, OUTER JOIN, and UNION operators, and working with subqueries</li> <li>Modifying data sets with UPDATE, INSERT, and DELETE statements</li> <li>Advanced queries: complex NOT and AND, conditions, if-then-else using CASE, unlinked tables, driver tables, and more</li> <li>NEW! Using advanced GROUP BY keywords to create subtotals, roll-ups, and more</li> <li>NEW! Applying window functions to answer more sophisticated questions, and gain deeper insight into your data</li> </ul> <b>Software-Independent Approach!</b> <br />If you work with database software such as Access, MS SQL Server, Oracle, DB2, MySQL, Ingres, or any other SQL-based program, this book could save you hours of time and aggravation—before you write a single query!<br />