SQL in easy steps

by Mike McGrath

Overview

SQL in easy steps, 3rd edition has an easy-to-follow style that will appeal to anyone who wants to begin using databases. It is aimed at those with little or no experience of SQL. From web developers wanting to add database interaction to their web sites, programmers wanting to quickly add SQL to their skills set, hobbyists who want to begin creating SQL scripts for upload to their own ISP, to students or to those seeking a career in computing, this book will appeal to all who need a fundamental understanding of database administration with SQL.

SQL in easy steps, 3rd edition begins by explaining how to download and install the free MySQL database server on both Windows and Linux platforms. This allows you to establish an environment in which to develop and administer your own databases.

This book makes no assumption that you will have previous knowledge of any programming or scripting language so it's ideal for the newcomer to SQL.

By the end of the book you will have gained a sound understanding of the Structured Query Language and be able to write your own SQL scripts to insert, extract and manipulate data – with ease!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781840785432
Publisher:	In Easy Steps Limited
Publication date:	06/12/2012
Series:	In Easy Steps
Edition description:	Third Edition
Pages:	192
Product dimensions:	7.20(w) x 8.80(h) x 0.40(d)

About the Author

Mike McGrath gained his extensive knowledge of computer languages while working as a developer contracting to companies around the world. Mike is an established In Easy Steps author with several guides to his credit including: CSS, HTML5, Javascript,Java, Linux, PHP, Visual Basic Express and earlier editions of SQL.

Table of Contents

1 Introducing SQL 7

What is SQL? 8

Making SQL queries 10

Installing MySQL on Windows 12

Installing MySQL on Linux 14

Installing an ODBC driver 16

Using Microsoft Query tool 18

Summary 20

2 Getting started 21

Introducing databases 22

Exploring databases 23

Creating a databases 24

Deleting a databases 26

Running SQL scripts 28

Summary 30

3 Creating database tables 31

Exploring database tables 32

Creating a table 34

Deleting a table 36

Table data types 38

Table field modifiers 40

Setting the primary key 42

Altering a table 44

Summary 46

4 Inserting data into tables 47

Inserting complete rows 48

Including a columns list 50

Inserting selected data 52

Updating data 54

Changing specific data 56

Deleting data 58

Summary 60

5 Retrieving data from tables 61

Retrieving a column 62

Retrieving multiple columns 64

Retrieving a row 66

Copying retrieved data 68

Inserting selected fields 70

Summary 72

6 Sorting retrieved data 73

Sorting a column 74

Sorting multiple columns 76

Sorting by column position 78

Setting the sort direction 80

Summary 82

7 Simple data filtering 83

Making comparisons 84

Comparing a single value 86

Comparing a range of values 88

Seeking non-matches 90

Finding null values 92

Summary 94

8 Complex data filtering 95

Comparing multiple values 96

Comparing alternative values 98

Comparing alternative lists 100

Specifying evaluation order 102

Matching strings 104

Matching characters 106

Matching regular expressions 108

Summary 110

9 Generating calculated fields 111

Concatenating fields 112

Trimming padded spaces 114

Adopting aliases 116

Doing arithmetic 118

Summary 120

10 Manipulating data 121

Introducing functions 122

Text functions 124

Numeric functions 126

Date and time functions 128

System functions 130

Summary 132

11 Grouping table data 133

Finding summary values 134

Counting rows 136

Discovering total values 138

Working with distinct values 140

Creating data groups 142

Filtering grouped data 144

Sorting filtered group data 146

Summary 148

12 Making complex queries 149

Using sub-queries 150

Sub-query calculated fields 152

Combining queries 154

Handling duplicate rows 156

Sorting combined results 158

Summary 160

13 Joining database tables 161

What are joins? 162

Creating a join 164

Joining multiple tables 166

Creating self joins 168

Creating natural joins 170

Creating outer joins 172

Summary 174

Handy reference 175

Index 187