The Language of SQL, 3rd Edition

✍ Scribed by Larry Rockoff;

• Publisher: Pearson Education (US)
• Year: 2021
• Tongue: English
• Leaves: 271
• Edition: 3
• Category: Library

✦ Synopsis

Get Started Fast with SQL!

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

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.

Several 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 the latest releases of three widely used databases: Microsoft SQL Server 2019, MySQL 8.0, and Oracle 18c. 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.

• 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
• Design relational databases so that data retrieval is easy and intuitive
• Update data and create new tables
• 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

✦ Table of Contents

Cover Page
About This eBook
Title Page
Copyright Page
Contents at a Glance
Table of Contents
About the Author
Acknowledgments
Introduction
1 Relational Databases and SQL
What Is SQL?
Microsoft SQL Server, MySQL, and Oracle
Relational Databases
Primary and Foreign Keys
Data Types
NULL Values
A Brief History of Databases
Looking Ahead
2 Basic Data Retrieval
A Simple SELECT
Syntax Notes
Comments
Specifying Columns
Column Names with Embedded Spaces
Preview of the Full SELECT
Looking Ahead
3 Calculated Fields and Aliases
Literal Values
Arithmetic Calculations
Concatenating Fields
Column Aliases
Table Aliases
Looking Ahead
4 Using Functions
What Is a Function?
Character Functions
Composite Functions
Date/Time Functions
Numeric Functions
Miscellaneous Functions
Looking Ahead
5 Sorting Data
Sorting in Ascending Order
Sorting in Descending Order
Sorting by Multiple Columns
Sorting by a Calculated Field
Sort Sequences
Looking Ahead
6 Selection Criteria
Applying Selection Criteria
WHERE Clause Operators
Limiting Rows
Limiting Rows with a Sort
Pattern Matching
Matching by Sound
Looking Ahead
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
Looking Ahead
8 Conditional Logic
The CASE Expression
The Simple CASE Format
The Searched CASE Format
Conditional Logic in ORDER BY Clauses
Conditional Logic in WHERE Clauses
Looking Ahead
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
Analytic Functions
Looking Ahead
10 Subtotals and Crosstabs
Adding Subtotals with ROLLUP
Adding Subtotals with CUBE
Creating Crosstab Layouts
Looking Ahead
11 Inner Joins
Joining Two Tables
The Inner Join
Table Order in Inner Joins
Implicit Inner Joins
Table Aliases Revisited
Looking Ahead
12 Outer Joins
The Outer Join
Left Joins
Testing for NULL Values
Right Joins
Table Order in Outer Joins
Full Joins
Cross Joins
Looking Ahead
13 Self Joins and Views
Self Joins
Creating Views
Referencing Views
Benefits of Views
Modifying and Deleting Views
Looking Ahead
14 Subqueries
Types of Subqueries
Subqueries as a Data Source
Subqueries as Selection Criteria
Correlated Subqueries
The EXISTS Operator
Subqueries as a Calculated Column
Common Table Expressions
Looking Ahead
15 Set Logic
The UNION Operator
Distinct and Non-Distinct Unions
Intersecting Queries
Looking Ahead
16 Stored Procedures and Parameters
Creating Stored Procedures
Parameters in Stored Procedures
Executing Stored Procedures
Modifying and Deleting Stored Procedures
Functions Revisited
Looking Ahead
17 Modifying Data
Modification Strategies
Inserting Data
Deleting Data
Updating Data
Correlated Subquery Updates
Looking Ahead
18 Maintaining Tables
Data Definition Language
Table Attributes
Table Columns
Primary Keys and Indexes
Foreign Keys
Creating Tables
Creating Indexes
Looking Ahead
19 Principles of Database Design
Goals of Normalization
How to Normalize Data
The Art of Database Design
Alternatives to Normalization
Looking Ahead
20 Strategies for Using Excel
Crosstab Layouts Revisited
External Data and Power Query
Excel Pivot Tables
Excel Pivot Charts
Excel Standard Charts
Looking Ahead
A Getting Started with Microsoft SQL Server
Installing Microsoft SQL Server 2019 Express
Installing Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio 18
Using Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio 18
Online Reference
B Getting Started with MySQL
Installing MySQL Community Server and Workbench
Using MySQL Workbench
Online Reference
C Getting Started with Oracle
Installing Oracle Database Express Edition
Installing Oracle SQL Developer
Using Oracle SQL Developer
Online Reference
Index
Code Snippets