Message from Dean - May 8th 2007

I am currently testing out a new version of the APF Bridge Component - If you notice any errors within this demo store please drop me a line.

Binding: Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 005.133
EAN: 9780596526849
Format: Illustrated
ISBN: 0596526849
Label: O'Reilly Media, Inc.
Manufacturer: O'Reilly Media, Inc.
Number Of Items: 1
Number Of Pages: 607
Publication Date: September 01, 2007
Publisher: O'Reilly Media, Inc.
Studio: O'Reilly Media, Inc.

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Editorial Review:

Product Description:
Is your data dragging you down? Are your tables all tangled up? Well we've got the tools to teach you just how to wrangle your databases into submission. Using the latest research in neurobiology, cognitive science, and learning theory to craft a multi-sensory SQL learning experience, Head First SQL has a visually rich format designed for the way your brain works, not a text-heavy approach that puts you to sleep.

Maybe you've written some simple SQL queries to interact with databases. But now you want more, you want to really dig into those databases and work with your data. Head First SQL will show you the fundamentals of SQL and how to really take advantage of it. We'll take you on a journey through the language, from basic INSERT statements and SELECT queries to hardcore database manipulation with indices, joins, and transactions. We all know "Data is Power" - but we'll show you how to have "Power over your Data". Expect to have fun, expect to learn, and expect to be querying, normalizing, and joining your data like a pro by the time you're finished reading!




Rating: - Avoid
This could have been a great book. This book is what happens when marketing people are included in design and production. This book contains a lot of useful information, but to sit through all the to-do-task and poorly crafted examples is take away from the book's quality while adding little.

I hope they do another edition, using useful as opposed to cute as a guidline.

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Rating: - Wonderful Books for Mild "ADHD" Folks
Packed with needed knowledge in humorous manner! It is way easier to read than any SQL I have ever encountered... wonderful job done. I will definitely look at the books in the series first before I buy computer books of other technologies from now on.

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Rating: - Average Introduction to SQL ... Subpar for Technical Readers
Before purchasing this book, I read the reviews and was instantly hooked on the concept of a technical book that would use humor, imagery and other off-beat approaches as teaching tools. Unfortunately, after reading the entire book I feel that these techniques were way over utilized. The figures are very busy because the author feels you will remember words if they are attached to an image. In addition there is very little information conveyed on each page. I found myself thinking "why doesn't the author just get to the point already instead of making me flip through 10 pages?" The book probably could have been condensed down to a half or quarter of its size. The "exercises" are also quite uninspired. I didn't learn anything more from them than I would reading an intro to SQL webpage.

Anyone who has a technical background such as engineering or computer science will probably feel the same as I do. However, for those who have weak or moderate computer language skills ... Read More

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Rating: - Expected more content for length
This book is an excellent book for beginners to SQL that have a tough time using books to technology. The book is a very long read if you are already comfortable basic concepts like joins. However, it does have good chapters on table and database design. For the length of the book, I expected more advanced topics like stored procs.

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Rating: - Unorthodox & Effective Training Method
At first I was a little thrown off by all the images and quips (I guess I'm used to boring, dry guides). After a while I was actually drawn into the book and how it guided me through learning SQL. I must admit that I had a somewhat rudimentary understanding of SQL but after completing the book my queries a sharper & more complex.

I do want to put it out there; this isn't really a reference book, it's primary focus is to teach you the fundamentals of SQL, not really the fancier functions or tricks that you can use in SQL.

There was only one short coming to the book; some of the samples did not contain answers. I know it's petty, but there were times I would've liked to have known the answers.

I would confidently recommend this book to anyone looking to learn SQL.

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