Rating: 
Summary: Very good job at its intended job
Review: Ben Forta has done a great job distilling the most pertinent basic SQL concepts into simple, easy to read form. Befitting its "10 minute" moniker, this is a wonderful book for new SQL programmers. But it's also subtly different in a way that will particularly suit folks coming into SQL for the first time as part of their involvement in using web database development tools such as ColdFusion and Active Server Pages.One one level, any new SQL programmer using any DBMS will appreciate the easily digested coverage of the fundamental query and update basics. The books is well-written, an easy read, and goes beyond those basics without going too far. Even moderately experienced readers will be well-served by the clear, simple discussions of important topics (like data manipulation and aggregating functions, grouping data, subqueries, views, etc) that can be easily forgotten, as well as other topics (such as using transactions, constraints, triggers, etc.) that can get lost in wading through other more voluminous tomes. Ben presents a very nice balance of fundamental topics. But there's more to this book than being a simple intro to SQL. That audience of web db developers is an exploding one, and they bring some unique needs for which Ben provides a valuable perspective. Most SQL books have some DBMS-specific bias, despite SQL's purpose as a tool for accessing any kind of database in a consistent manner. Web application development environments like ASP and CF are also similarly database-agnostic. There are subtle points about using SQL in such environments that are different from using it, say, in a query builder or in a client/server environment. Ben, who was lead author of the highly regarded ColdFusion Web Application Construction Kit, presents the subjects in a manner suitable to such programmers and the way they'd code SQL and use its results, and he also sprinkles in discussions of how to take care of cross-platform issues on particular tasks, and often offers specific solutions for the most popular DBMS's used by that audience, such as Access, SQL Server, and Oracle. On still another level, other books also get bogged down in issues of database design, creation, administration, security, etc. Important though those topics are, most development shops are growing to a point where those tasks are being handled by different people, and the developer who simply wants to code retrieval and update applications is challenged to find a good intro sql book that doesn't wade into detail on topics that they may not yet be able to understand, let alone ever need to perform. There are other great books that do cover those subjects, and readers would do well to seek those out as they progress in their learning. It certainly makes it challenging to find (and no less to write) a SQL book. There are just so many potential audiences. For its intended purpose though, "Teach Yourself SQL in 10 Minutes" is very well done. As in his previous books, Ben is right on the money--and for a very low price, at that!
Rating:
Summary: Fantastic book for learning SQL quickly
Review: I searched for the smallest book on SQL, hoping to find a book that cut out the fluff and just gave me the essential information. I was coming from a programming perspective and didn't want a book that droned on and on about why I wanted to learn SQL, or how databases worked. I just wanted to learn how to write basic and not-so-basic SQL, and this is definitely the book. The pleasantly surprising part was that it actually does a great job of simply and directly explaining SQL, and it even serves as a passable reference once you've finished reading it. I just can't say enough for the format of the book. Ben Forta has divided the book into short comprehensible chapters and then used short, direct explanations of the concepts, followed by several examples of increasing complexity that build on each other to introduce the finer points. I read this entire book on a 4-hour plane ride with time to spare. It was an easy read and there was no problem remembering it all. I can't imagine how to write a book to teach SQL either faster, easier or more effectively than this book does. I can't really say how my opinion of the book might be different if I came from a non-programming background, but for my money (and not much of it at that), this is the first SQL book anyone should buy.
Rating: 
Summary: Very good reference and easy to read book.
Review: I am new to SQL and bought this book because of the "10 minutes" fast learning part. It does deliver what it promises. It is easy to read with very good hands-on examples. I downloaded the examples from the authors website and is using MS Query to test the examples. If you want to learn the basics of SQL and start being productive in no time, this is a great book.
Rating:
Summary: Nicely layed out for quick access
Review: If you are reading this book to learn, the examples provide easy understanding to the most common SQL statements for both selecting and manipulating data. Its worth trying the examples as a learning tool, and the scripts and populated Microsoft Access database is available from the authors web site (along with a few errata). If your using it as a reference, the nicely layed out contents, pages, and index provide for finding the information quickly. ASP programmers who are writing SQL to access databases for the web will particularly find this a useful guide to constructing the SQL SELECT statements to retrieve data. The book mentions more advanced features such as stored procedures and triggers which will at least give you a taste of things to learn. I suspect that as readers databases grow slower, however they may be searching for more information on indexing and keys.
Rating:
Summary: Absolutely Fabulous Lesson in SQL
Review: If you are new to Database Application Design/Web Based Application Design, as I am, you will find this title most helpful in getting you off the ground. I bought this book in hopes that it would help me build SQL statements into my ASP pages, and it has done that and more. This book is an easy read and very clearly explains the basic concepts of the SQL language, techniques, capabilities, etc. It also offers a concise look into the way databases are designed and how they function. The book does a wonderful job of remaining non-proprietary, and is quick to point out when you are learning something that is specific to one Database Management System or another. This is a wonderful little book to add to your reference library if you wish to spend little and learn tons.
Rating:
Summary: Very good reference and easy to read book.
Review: I am new to SQL and bought this book because of the "10 minutes" fast learning part. It does deliver what it promises. It is easy to read with very good hands-on examples. I downloaded the examples from the authors website and is using MS Query to test the examples. If you want to learn the basics of SQL and start being productive in no time, this is a great book.
Rating:
Summary: Good book to learn the Basics.
Review: This book is what it says it is. Very good book on how to learn SQL basics!! When you have completed this book, you will be able to do most of the queries that you need for your job. It is not written to teach you the complex parts of SQL, but it does touch these. I recommend this book to anyone that needs to learn SQL for reports or programming.
Rating:
Summary: SQL Quick Ref
Review: I bought the 1st ed. of this book. Its gr8! I use this book as a sql reminder every now and then i need quick ref tips.
Rating:
Summary: Quick and Dirty, as it Implies
Review: I generally don't write reviews of products unless they are fantastic or absolutely horrible. This is FANTASTIC. If you have programming experience and some familiarity with MS Access, this is a great book for you. I was able to go through the entire thing in 8 hours, take notes and import 3500 records from an old database into a new one with much greater ease. Pros:
-It differentiates between SQL Server, Oracle and the SQL specification on several examples.
-An introduction to advanced features is given in the last few chapters with examples.
-Small book allows quick scanning Cons:
-Not very visual. Organization of information and the layout of it is done well, but as far as pictures go, they are absent.
-Title is somewhat deceiving, 10 minutes if you are only trying to find an example to use for reference.
-Not for those who have little or no programming experience. Explains functionality of code and the big picture. On more complex examples, details on sections of code are left out and assumed to be understood.
Rating:
Summary: IF you need to learn SQL THEN..
Review: Buy this book. When I first purchased this book I knew just enough SQL to be dangerous. Since that time I have gone through the entire book (3 weeks) trying everything. I really needed this to work on a peoplesoft project so time was short. Its been great to be able to translate the examples in the book to real work situations. Its a must for someone who has had "some" exposure, but needs to write some sophisticated queries for work or school.
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