The Language of SQL- P3 pot

212 Appendix A Getting Started with Microsoft SQL Server.. 217 Appendix B Getting Started with MySQL.. Appendix C Getting Started with Oracle.. 225 Installing Oracle Database Express Edi

Correlated Subquery Updates 181

Looking Ahead 183

Chapter 18 Maintaining Tables 185

Data Definition Language 185

Table Attributes 186

Table Columns 187

Primary Keys and Indexes 188

Foreign Keys 189

Creating Tables 190

Creating Indexes 192

Looking Ahead 192

Chapter 19 Principles of Database Design 195

Goals of Normalization 196

How to Normalize Data 198

The Art of Database Design 202

Alternatives to Normalization 203

Looking Ahead 205

Chapter 20 Strategies for Displaying Data 207

Beyond SQL 207

Reporting Tools and Crosstab Reports 208

Spreadsheets and Pivot Tables 210

Looking Ahead 212

Appendix A Getting Started with Microsoft SQL Server 215

Overview 215

Installing SQL Server Express 2008 215

Installing SQL Server Management Studio 216

Using SQL Server Management Studio 217

Appendix B Getting Started with MySQL 219

Overview 219

Installing MySQL Community Server 220

Installing MySQL Workbench 221

Using MySQL Workbench 222

Appendix C Getting Started with Oracle 225

Overview 225

Installing Oracle Database Express Edition 225

Using Oracle Database Express Edition 227

Appendix D Listing of All SQL Statements 229

Index 231

Research has shown that, being pressed for time, most readers tend to skip the introduction of any book they happen to read and then proceed immediately to the first real chapter.

With that fact firmly in mind, we will only cover relatively unimportant material

in the introduction, such as an explanation of what you will and will not learn by

reading this book.

On second thought, perhaps the introduction really is relevant, so you might as

well stick with it We’ll make it brief.

Even if you’re not yet familiar with SQL, suffice it to say that it is a complex language with many components and features In this book, we’re going to focus

on one main topic:

■ How to use SQL to retrieve data from a database

To a lesser extent, we will also cover:

■ How to update data in a database

■ How to build and maintain databases

■ How to design relational databases

■ Strategies for displaying data after it has been retrieved

xii

A number of features make this book unique among introductory SQL books:

■ You will not be required to download software or sit with a computer as

you read the text.

Our intent is to provide examples of SQL usage that can be understood

simply by reading the book The text includes small data samples that will

allow you to see clearly how SQL statements work.

■ A language-based approach is employed to enable you to learn SQL as

you would learn English.

Topics are organized in an intuitive and logical sequence SQL keywords are

introduced one at a time, allowing you to build on your prior

under-standing as you encounter new words and concepts.

■ This book covers the syntax of three widely used databases: Microsoft

SQL Server, MySQL, and Oracle.

If there are any differences between the three databases, the Microsoft SQL

Server syntax is shown in the main text Special ‘‘Database Differences’’

boxes show and explain any variations in the syntax for MySQL or Oracle.

■ An emphasis is given to relevant aspects of SQL for retrieving data.

This approach is useful for those who only need to use SQL in conjunction

with a reporting tool.

Additionally, a final chapter is provided that covers strategies for displaying

data after it has been retrieved, including ideas on how to use crosstab

reports and pivot tables.

Finally, one additional question that we’ll address in the introduction: How is

SQL pronounced?

There are actually two choices One option is to simply say it as individual letters,

like ‘‘S-Q-L.’’ Another possibility is to pronounce it as ‘‘sequel.’’ There are

peo-ple who claim that only one of the two pronunciations is correct, but there is no

real agreement on the question It’s basically a matter of personal preference.

As for what the letters S-Q-L mean, most agree that they stand for ‘‘structured

query language.’’ However, there are a few people who will argue that SQL stands

for nothing at all since the language is derived from an old language from IBM

called sequel, which did not stand for structured query language.

At any rate, the introduction is done And now on to some real information.

Companion Web Site Downloads

Please see Appendix D, for a description of the files available on the companion Web site These files list all SQL statements and provide all data shown in the book.

You may download the companion Web site files from www.courseptr.com/ downloads.