[thelist] Learning SQL

>Anyone (Rudy?) got any recommendations for learning RDBMS
>stuff? Books with eval versions of SQL Server 7/Oracle8 preferred.
> ... to understand all this 'foreign keys' nonsense ;-)

hi martin

what exactly is troubling you about foreign keys?   want a quick intro?
i'd be happy to write an article like "what the heck are these foreign keys
anyway?" if i thought there would be some interest...

anyhow, on to my recommendations....


online resources --

  Jim Hoffman
  Introduction to Structured Query Language
  http://w3.one.net/~jhoffman/sqltut.htm
    covers primary/foreign keys, in fact, covers
    pretty much all you need

  Selena Sol
  Introduction to Databases for the Web
  http://wdvl.com/Authoring/DB/Intro/toc.html
   comprehensive, but no foreign key discussion

  Philip Greenspun
  Chapter 12: Database Management Systems
  http://photo.net/wtr/thebook/databases-choosing.html
   no foreign keys per se, but a delightful read

  SQL Interpreter and Tutorial
  with live practice database
  http://sqlcourse.com/
    for beginners

  Database Central

http://www.baobabcomputing.com/databasecentral/Database_Technologies_and_La
nguages/SQL/Tips_and_Tutorials/index.shtml
  humungous collection of links -- *highly recommended*
  all the major tutorial sites are linked here


and if you must have a book --

  Joe Celko
  Instant SQL Programming
  1995, WROX Press, ISBN 1874416508
    introductory level, but *excellent* examples


celko also has more advanced sql books, just search fatbrain.com on "celko"

in fact, go check fatbrain, they've got *dozens* of sql books, in two sql
categories

and if you do get one sight unseen, it might pay to make it a recent
edition, for example,

  Martin Gruber
  Mastering SQL, First Edition
  http://www1.fatbrain.com/asp/bookinfo/bookinfo.asp?theisbn=0782125387
  "This newly updated edition of the classic Understanding SQL
   gives newcomers everything they need to know to get started
   working with SQL code, plus it contains coverage of the brand-new
   SQL 3 standard. The companion CD includes some of the most popular
   SQL compilers, as well as a fully searchable reference."

couple of other books i've heard about --

  Michael Hernandez
  Database Design for Mere Mortals: A Hands-On
  Guide to Relational Database Design
  1996, Addison Wesley, ISBN 0201694719

  Patrick Dalton
  Microsoft SQL Server Black Book
  1997, Coriolis Group Books, ISBN 1576101495


___________________
rudy limeback
http://www.interlog.com/~r937/
http://evolt.org/