Includes index

“This book is not just another SQL text. The author’s use of simple yet clear examples to illustrate difficult concepts throughout the text makes this a perfect book for use in an introductory database systems class as a supplement or as an introductory reference for the novice practitioner. --Paul Fortier, University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth “The book lives up to its title: it is a very practical guide. The authors clearly know their SQL and manage to write about the language in a step-by-step style that progresses smoothly from the simple to the more difficult aspects of the language. The profuse use of examples, each with an accompanying motivation and explanation of the results, lets the reader follow even complex topics without a constant struggle. The authors have even included examples that illustrate common errors programmers make, explaining the right way to perform the task. It doesn’t hurt that the sample application is based on something everybody uses every day: food. --Jim Melton, Oracle Corporation “This book’s authors recognize the vast majority of work done with a database is data retrieval (rather than storage) and have focused on this area. --Australian Personal Computer, March 2006