Looking for a good book to learn SQL

Question

I'm looking for a good and short book to learn SQL in general, and good modern SQL practices.

Any suggestions? Thanks!

Answer 1

For beginner\intermediate SQL programmer I would recommend these 2 books:

• Learning SQL ISBN: 0596007272
• SQL In A Nutshell, 2nd Edition ISBN: 0596004818

For advanced SQL techniques I would recommend books by Joe Celko

Answer 2

Joe Celko's books are good - I loved "SQL for Smarties"

Answer 3

For CRUD operations (create, retrieve, update and delete) a good place to start is w3schools. CRUD accounts for a good majority of the SQL that you might use (add in joins under retrieve and you have ~95%). IMHO there really is not that much in straight SQL that would fill out a book.

A better approach might be a database design book. Learn about what/how relations work and the SQL will follow. Make a simple application that uses it. It makes more sense to me this way.

All modern RDBMs support CRUD in mostly the same way and from there you can learn your platform dependent stuff.

Answer 4

I love the Inside SQL Series:

Inside SQL Server 2005: The Storage Engine

Inside SQL Server 2005: T-SQL Programming

Inside SQL Server 2005: T-SQL Querying

Inside SQL Server 2005: Query Tuning and Optimization

Answer 5

I've heard good things about "The Manga Guide To Databases", but I haven't read it myself. At least sounds more fun to read than the average book about RDBMS's http://www.amazon.com/dp/1593271905

Answer 6

If Erland ever writes a book, you should own it.

http://www.sommarskog.se/

Answer 7

This one's awesome so far, by Rudy Limeback:

http://www.amazon.com/Simply-SQL-Rudy-Limeback/dp/0980455251