This is the eBook version of the printed book. The Most Complete and Practical Guide to MySQL Version 5-s Powerful SQL Dialect
MySQL version 5 offers a SQL dialect with immense power. In SQL for MySQL Developers, Rick F. van der Lans helps you master this version ofSQL and take advantage of its full potential. Using case study examplesand hands-on exercises, van der Lans illuminates every key concept,technique, and statement-including advanced features that make iteasier to create even the most complex statements and programs.

Drawing on decades of experience as an SQL standards team member and enterprise consultant, he reveals exactly why MySQL-s dialect works as it does-and how to get the most out of it. You-ll gain powerful insight into everything from basic queries to stored procedures, transactions to data security.

 

Whether you-re a programmer, Web developer, analyst, DBA, or database user, this book can take you from -apprentice- to true SQL expert. If you-ve used SQL in older versions of MySQL, you-ll become dramatically more effective-and if you-re migrating from other database platforms, you-ll gain practical mastery fast.

 

Coverage includes

• Writing queries, including joins, functions, and subqueries

• Updating data

• Creating tables, views, and other database objects

• Specifying keys and other integrity constraints

• Improving efficiency with indexes

• Enforcing security via passwords and privileges

• Embedding SQL statements within PHP programs

• Building stored procedures and triggers

• Using transactions, locking, rollback, and isolation levels

• Utilizing MySQL-s catalog

All of the book-s sample programs are available for download from www.r20.nl.

 

About the Author

Rick F. van der Lans is author of the classic Introduction to SQL, the definitive SQL guide that database developers have relied on for more than 20 years. He is a consultant, author, and lecturer specializing in database technology, development tools, data warehousing, and XML. As managing director of the Netherlands-based R20/Consultancy, he has advised many large companies on defining their IT architectures. He chairs the European Meta Data Conference, and writes columns for several magazines.

This book describes MYSQL’s SQL dialect. It teaches how and why to use certain features of the language. Not only the classic features of SQL are described, but also the more advanced features. Every aspect of the language is discussed thoroughly and critically. The following aspects of SQL, among other things, are covered: Querying and updating data (joins, functions, and subqueries), creating tables, specifying primary and foreign keys and other constraints, using indexes, data security, developing stored procedures and triggers. Application development with PHP and Python, transactions, optimization of statements, is also discussed. Many users of MySQL have only very limited knowledge of SQL and would be significantly more productive if they had a better understanding of SQL. Others know SQL, but are unfamiliar with the idiosyncracies of MySQL’s SQL implementation. In either case, this is the book for them. The exercises are a key benefit for readers familiar with other SQL variants. The structure, style and approach of this book is based on van der Lans best-selling Introduction to SQL (published by Addison-Wesley since 1987). This book is still being used at many universities, and is now in a fourth edition. And that structure and approach have therefore been tested over and over again.

The Most Complete and Practical Guide to MySQL Version 5?s Powerful SQL Dialect

 

MySQL version 5 offers a SQL dialect with immense power. In SQL for MySQL Developers, Rick F. van der Lans helps you master this version ofSQL and take advantage of its full potential. Using case study examplesand hands-on exercises, van der Lans illuminates every key concept,technique, and statement?including advanced features that make iteasier to create even the most complex statements and programs.

 

Drawing on decades of experience as an SQL standards team member and enterprise consultant, he reveals exactly why MySQL?s dialect works as it does?and how to get the most out of it. You?ll gain powerful insight into everything from basic queries to stored procedures, transactions to data security.

 

Whether you?re a programmer, Web developer, analyst, DBA, or database user, this book can take you from ?apprentice? to true SQL expert. If you?ve used SQL in older versions of MySQL, you?ll become dramatically more effective?and if you?re migrating from other database platforms, you?ll gain practical mastery fast.

 

Coverage includes

• Writing queries, including joins, functions, and subqueries
• Updating data
• Creating tables, views, and other database objects
• Specifying keys and other integrity constraints
• Improving efficiency with indexes
• Enforcing security via passwords and privileges
• Embedding SQL statements within PHP programs
• Building stored procedures and triggers
• Using transactions, locking, rollback, and isolation levels
• Utilizing MySQL?s catalog

All of the book?s sample programs are available for download from www.r20.nl.

 

About the Author

Rick F. van der Lans is author of the classic Introduction to SQL, the definitive SQL guide that database developers have relied on for more than 20 years. He is a consultant, author, and lecturer specializing in database technology, development tools, data warehousing, and XML. As managing director of the Netherlands-based R20/Consultancy, he has advised many large companies on defining their IT architectures. He chairs the European Meta Data Conference, and writes columns for several magazines.

 

Contents

About the Author  

Preface    

PART I Introduction    

CHAPTER 1 Introduction to MySQL    

CHAPTER 2 The Tennis Club Sample Database    

CHAPTER 3 Installing the Software    

CHAPTER 4 SQL in a Nutshell    

PART II Querying and Updating Data     

CHAPTER 5 SELECT Statement: Common Elements    

CHAPTER 6 SELECT Statements, Table Expressions, and Subqueries    

CHAPTER 7 SELECT Statement:The FROM Clause    

CHAPTER 8 SELECT Statement: The WHERE Clause    

CHAPTER 9 SELECT Statement: SELECT Clause and Aggregation Functions    

CHAPTER 10 SELECT Statement: The GROUP BY Clause    

CHAPTER 11 SELECT Statement: The HAVING Clause    

CHAPTER 12 SELECT Statement: The ORDER BY Clause    

CHAPTER 13 SELECT Statement: The LIMIT Clause    

CHAPTER 14 Combining Table Expressions    

CHAPTER 15 The User Variable and the SET Statement    

CHAPTER 16 The HANDLER Statement    

CHAPTER 17 Updating Tables    

CHAPTER 18 Loading and Unloading Data    

CHAPTER 19 Working with XML Documents    

PART III Creating Database Objects     

CHAPTER 20 Creating Tables    

CHAPTER 21 Specifying Integrity Constraints    

CHAPTER 22 Character Sets and Collations    

CHAPTER 23 The ENUM and SET Types    

CHAPTER 24 Changing and Dropping Tables    

CHAPTER 25 Using Indexes    

CHAPTER 26 Views    

CHAPTER 27 Creating Databases    

CHAPTER 28 Users and Data Security    

CHAPTER 29 Statements for Table Maintenance    

CHAPTER 30 The SHOW, DESCRIBE, and HELP Statements    

PART IV Procedural Database Objects     

CHAPTER 31 Stored Procedures    

CHAPTER 32 Stored Functions    

CHAPTER 33 Triggers    

CHAPTER 34 Events    

PART V Programming with SQL     

CHAPTER 35 MySQL and PHP    

CHAPTER 36 Dynamic SQL with Prepared Statement    

CHAPTER 37 Transactions and Multiuser Usage    

APPENDIX A Syntax of SQL    

APPENDIX B Scalar Functions    

APPENDIX C System Variables    

APPENDIX D Bibliography    

Index    

The Most Complete and Practical Guide to MySQL Version 5’s Powerful SQL Dialect MySQL version 5 offers a SQL dialect with immense power. In SQL for MySQL Developers, Rick F. van der Lans helps you master this version ofSQL and take advantage of its full potential. Using case study examplesand hands-on exercises, van der Lans illuminates every key concept,technique, and statement--including advanced features that make iteasier to create even the most complex statements and programs. Drawing on decades of experience as an SQL standards team member and enterprise consultant, he reveals exactly why MySQL’s dialect works as it does--and how to get the most out of it. You’ll gain powerful insight into everything from basic queries to stored procedures, transactions to data security. Whether you’re a programmer, Web developer, analyst, DBA, or database user, this book can take you from "apprentice" to true SQL expert. If you’ve used SQL in older versions of MySQL, you’ll become dramatically more effective--and if you’re migrating from other database platforms, you’ll gain practical mastery fast.Coverage includes *Writing queries, including joins, functions, and subqueries*Updating data*Creating tables, views, and other database objects*Specifying keys and other integrity constraints*Improving efficiency with indexes*Enforcing security via passwords and privileges*Embedding SQL statements within PHP programs*Building stored procedures and triggers*Using transactions, locking, rollback, and isolation levels*Utilizing MySQL’s catalog All of the book’s sample programs are available for download from www.

r20.nl. About the Author Rick F. van der Lans is author of the classic Introduction to SQL, the definitive SQL guide that database developers have relied on for more than 20 years. He is a consultant, author, and lecturer specializing in database technology, development tools, data warehousing, and XML. As managing director of the Netherlands-based R20/Consultancy, he has advised many large companies on defining their IT architectures. He chairs the European Meta Data Conference, and writes columns for several magazines.Contents About the Author Preface PART I Introduction CHAPTER 1 Introduction to MySQL CHAPTER 2 The Tennis Club Sample Database CHAPTER 3 Installing the Software CHAPTER 4 SQL in a Nutshell PART II Querying and Updating Data CHAPTER 5 SELECT Statement: Common Elements CHAPTER 6 SELECT Statements, Table Expressions, and Subqueries CHAPTER 7 SELECT Statement:The FROM Clause CHAPTER 8 SELECT Statement: The WHERE Clause CHAPTER 9 SELECT Statement: SELECT Clause and Aggregation Functions CHAPTER 10 SELECT Statement: The GROUP BY Clause CHAPTER 11 SELECT Statement: The HAVING Clause CHAPTER 12 SELECT Statement: The ORDER BY Clause CHAPTER 13 SELECT Statement: The LIMIT Clause CHAPTER 14 Combining Table Expressions CHAPTER 15 The User Variable and the SET Statement CHAPTER 16 The HANDLER Statement CHAPTER 17 Updating Tables CHAPTER 18 Loading and Unloading Data CHAPTER 19 Working with XML Documents PART III Creating Database Objects CHAPTER 20 Creating Tables CHAPTER 21 Specifying Integrity Constraints CHAPTER 22 Character Sets and Collations CHAPTER 23 The ENUM and SET Types CHAPTER 24 Changing and Dropping Tables CHAPTER 25 Using Indexes CHAPTER 26 Views CHAPTER 27 Creating Databases CHAPTER 28 Users and Data Security CHAPTER 29 Statements for Table Maintenance CHAPTER 30 The SHOW, DESCRIBE, and HELP Statements PART IV Procedural Database Objects CHAPTER 31 Stored Procedures CHAPTER 32 Stored Functions CHAPTER 33 Triggers CHAPTER 34 Events PART V Programming with SQL CHAPTER 35 MySQL and PHP CHAPTER 36 Dynamic SQL with Prepared Statement CHAPTER 37 Transactions and Multiuser Usage APPENDIX A Syntax of SQL APPENDIX B Scalar Functions APPENDIX C System Variables APPENDIX D Bibliography Index

Rick F. van der Lans is author of the classic Introduction to SQL, the definitive SQL guide that database developers have relied on for more than 20 years. He is a consultant, author, and lecturer specializing in database technology, development tools, data warehousing, and XML. As managing director of the Netherlands-based R20/Consultancy, he has advised many large companies on defining their IT architectures. He chairs the European Meta Data Conference, and writes columns for several magazines.

The Most Complete and Practical Guide to MySQL Version 5?s Powerful SQL Dialect

 

MySQL version 5 offers a SQL dialect with immense power. In SQL for MySQL Developers, Rick F. van der Lans helps you master this version ofSQL and take advantage of its full potential. Using case study examplesand hands-on exercises, van der Lans illuminates every key concept,technique, and statement?including advanced features that make iteasier to create even the most complex statements and programs.

 

Drawing on decades of experience as an SQL standards team member and enterprise consultant, he reveals exactly why MySQL?s dialect works as it does?and how to get the most out of it. You?ll gain powerful insight into everything from basic queries to stored procedures, transactions to data security.

 

Whether you?re a programmer, Web developer, analyst, DBA, or database user, this book can take you from ?apprentice? to true SQL expert. If you?ve used SQL in older versions of MySQL, you?ll become dramatically more effective?and if you?re migrating from other database platforms, you?ll gain practical mastery fast.

 

Coverage includes

• Writing queries, including joins, functions, and subqueries
• Updating data
• Creating tables, views, and other database objects
• Specifying keys and other integrity constraints
• Improving efficiency with indexes
• Enforcing security via passwords and privileges
• Embedding SQL statements within PHP programs
• Building stored procedures and triggers
• Using transactions, locking, rollback, and isolation levels
• Utilizing MySQL?s catalog

All of the book?s sample programs are available for download from www.r20.nl.

 

About the Author

Rick F. van der Lans is author of the classic Introduction to SQL, the definitive SQL guide that database developers have relied on for more than 20 years. He is a consultant, author, and lecturer specializing in database technology, development tools, data warehousing, and XML. As managing director of the Netherlands-based R20/Consultancy, he has advised many large companies on defining their IT architectures. He chairs the European Meta Data Conference, and writes columns for several magazines.

 

Contents

About the Author  

Preface    

PART I Introduction    

CHAPTER 1 Introduction to MySQL    

CHAPTER 2 The Tennis Club Sample Database    

CHAPTER 3 Installing the Software    

CHAPTER 4 SQL in a Nutshell    

PART II Querying and Updating Data     

CHAPTER 5 SELECT Statement: Common Elements    

CHAPTER 6 SELECT Statements, Table Expressions, and Subqueries    

CHAPTER 7 SELECT Statement:The FROM Clause    

CHAPTER 8 SELECT Statement: The WHERE Clause    

CHAPTER 9 SELECT Statement: SELECT Clause and Aggregation Functions    

CHAPTER 10 SELECT Statement: The GROUP BY Clause    

CHAPTER 11 SELECT Statement: The HAVING Clause    

CHAPTER 12 SELECT Statement: The ORDER BY Clause    

CHAPTER 13 SELECT Statement: The LIMIT Clause    

CHAPTER 14 Combining Table Expressions    

CHAPTER 15 The User Variable and the SET Statement    

CHAPTER 16 The HANDLER Statement    

CHAPTER 17 Updating Tables    

CHAPTER 18 Loading and Unloading Data    

CHAPTER 19 Working with XML Documents    

PART III Creating Database Objects     

CHAPTER 20 Creating Tables    

CHAPTER 21 Specifying Integrity Constraints    

CHAPTER 22 Character Sets and Collations    

CHAPTER 23 The ENUM and SET Types    

CHAPTER 24 Changing and Dropping Tables    

CHAPTER 25 Using Indexes    

CHAPTER 26 Views    

CHAPTER 27 Creating Databases    

CHAPTER 28 Users and Data Security    

CHAPTER 29 Statements for Table Maintenance    

CHAPTER 30 The SHOW, DESCRIBE, and HELP Statements    

PART IV Procedural Database Objects     

CHAPTER 31 Stored Procedures    

CHAPTER 32 Stored Functions    

CHAPTER 33 Triggers    

CHAPTER 34 Events    

PART V Programming with SQL     

CHAPTER 35 MySQL and PHP    

CHAPTER 36 Dynamic SQL with Prepared Statement    

CHAPTER 37 Transactions and Multiuser Usage    

APPENDIX A Syntax of SQL    

APPENDIX B Scalar Functions    

APPENDIX C System Variables    

APPENDIX D Bibliography    

Index    

The Most Complete and Practical Guide to MySQL Version 5’s Powerful SQL Dialect

MySQL version 5 offers a SQL dialect with immense power. In SQL for MySQL Developers, Rick F. van der Lans helps you master this version ofSQL and take advantage of its full potential. Using case study examplesand hands-on exercises, van der Lans illuminates every key concept,technique, and statement–including advanced features that make iteasier to create even the most complex statements and programs.

Drawing on decades of experience as an SQL standards team member and enterprise consultant, he reveals exactly why MySQL’s dialect works as it does–and how to get the most out of it. You’ll gain powerful insight into everything from basic queries to stored procedures, transactions to data security.

Whether you’re a programmer, Web developer, analyst, DBA, or database user, this book can take you from ?apprentice? to true SQL expert. If you’ve used SQL in older versions of MySQL, you’ll become dramatically more effective–and if you’re migrating from other database platforms, you’ll gain practical mastery fast.

Coverage includes

• Writing queries, including joins, functions, and subqueries
• Updating data
• Creating tables, views, and other database objects
• Specifying keys and other integrity constraints
• Improving efficiency with indexes
• Enforcing security via passwords and privileges
• Embedding SQL statements within PHP programs
• Building stored procedures and triggers
• Using transactions, locking, rollback, and isolation levels
• Utilizing MySQL’s catalog

All of the book’s sample programs are available for download from www.r20.nl.

About the Author

Rick F. van der Lans is author of the classic Introduction to SQL, the definitive SQL guide that database developers have relied on for more than 20 years. He is a consultant, author, and lecturer specializing in database technology, development tools, data warehousing, and XML. As managing director of the Netherlands-based R20/Consultancy, he has advised many large companies on defining their IT architectures. He chairs the European Meta Data Conference, and writes columns for several magazines.

Contents

About the Author

Preface

PART I Introduction

CHAPTER 1 Introduction to MySQL

CHAPTER 2 The Tennis Club Sample Database

CHAPTER 3 Installing the Software

CHAPTER 4 SQL in a Nutshell

PART II Querying and Updating Data

CHAPTER 5 SELECT Statement: Common Elements

CHAPTER 6 SELECT Statements, Table Expressions, and Subqueries

CHAPTER 7 SELECT Statement:The FROM Clause

CHAPTER 8 SELECT Statement: The WHERE Clause

CHAPTER 9 SELECT Statement: SELECT Clause and Aggregation Functions

CHAPTER 10 SELECT Statement: The GROUP BY Clause

CHAPTER 11 SELECT Statement: The HAVING Clause

CHAPTER 12 SELECT Statement: The ORDER BY Clause

CHAPTER 13 SELECT Statement: The LIMIT Clause

CHAPTER 14 Combining Table Expressions

CHAPTER 15 The User Variable and the SET Statement

CHAPTER 16 The HANDLER Statement

CHAPTER 17 Updating Tables

CHAPTER 18 Loading and Unloading Data

CHAPTER 19 Working with XML Documents

PART III Creating Database Objects

CHAPTER 20 Creating Tables

CHAPTER 21 Specifying Integrity Constraints

CHAPTER 22 Character Sets and Collations

CHAPTER 23 The ENUM and SET Types

CHAPTER 24 Changing and Dropping Tables

CHAPTER 25 Using Indexes

CHAPTER 26 Views

CHAPTER 27 Creating Databases

CHAPTER 28 Users and Data Security

CHAPTER 29 Statements for Table Maintenance

CHAPTER 30 The SHOW, DESCRIBE, and HELP Statements

PART IV Procedural Database Objects

CHAPTER 31 Stored Procedures

CHAPTER 32 Stored Functions

CHAPTER 33 Triggers

CHAPTER 34 Events

PART V Programming with SQL

CHAPTER 35 MySQL and PHP

CHAPTER 36 Dynamic SQL with Prepared Statement

CHAPTER 37 Transactions and Multiuser Usage

APPENDIX A Syntax of SQL

APPENDIX B Scalar Functions

APPENDIX C System Variables

APPENDIX D Bibliography

Index

The Most Complete and Practical Guide to MySQL Version 5’s Powerful SQL Dialect

MySQL version 5 offers a SQL dialect with immense power. In SQL for MySQL Developers, Rick F. van der Lans helps you master this version ofSQL and take advantage of its full potential. Using case study examplesand hands-on exercises, van der Lans illuminates every key concept,technique, and statement–including advanced features that make iteasier to create even the most complex statements and programs.

Drawing on decades of experience as an SQL standards team member and enterprise consultant, he reveals exactly why MySQL’s dialect works as it does–and how to get the most out of it. You’ll gain powerful insight into everything from basic queries to stored procedures, transactions to data security.

Whether you’re a programmer, Web developer, analyst, DBA, or database user, this book can take you from ?apprentice? to true SQL expert. If you’ve used SQL in older versions of MySQL, you’ll become dramatically more effective–and if you’re migrating from other database platforms, you’ll gain practical mastery fast.

Coverage includes

• Writing queries, including joins, functions, and subqueries
• Updating data
• Creating tables, views, and other database objects
• Specifying keys and other integrity constraints
• Improving efficiency with indexes
• Enforcing security via passwords and privileges
• Embedding SQL statements within PHP programs
• Building stored procedures and triggers
• Using transactions, locking, rollback, and isolation levels
• Utilizing MySQL’s catalog

All of the book’s sample programs are available for download from www.r20.nl.

About the Author

Rick F. van der Lans is author of the classic Introduction to SQL, the definitive SQL guide that database developers have relied on for more than 20 years. He is a consultant, author, and lecturer specializing in database technology, development tools, data warehousing, and XML. As managing director of the Netherlands-based R20/Consultancy, he has advised many large companies on defining their IT architectures. He chairs the European Meta Data Conference, and writes columns for several magazines.

Contents

About the Author xix

Preface xx

PART I Introduction 1

CHAPTER 1 Introduction to MySQL 3

CHAPTER 2 The Tennis Club Sample Database 29

CHAPTER 3 Installing the Software 37

CHAPTER 4 SQL in a Nutshell 41

PART II Querying and Updating Data 71

CHAPTER 5 SELECT Statement: Common Elements 73

CHAPTER 6 SELECT Statements, Table Expressions, and Subqueries 145

CHAPTER 7 SELECT Statement:The FROM Clause 171

CHAPTER 8 SELECT Statement: The WHERE Clause 213

CHAPTER 9 SELECT Statement: SELECT Clause and Aggregation Functions 315

CHAPTER 10 SELECT Statement: The GROUP BY Clause 349

CHAPTER 11 SELECT Statement: The HAVING Clause 375

CHAPTER 12 SELECT Statement: The ORDER BY Clause 383

CHAPTER 13 SELECT Statement: The LIMIT Clause 395

CHAPTER 14 Combining Table Expressions 409

CHAPTER 15 The User Variable and the SET Statement 421

CHAPTER 16 The HANDLER Statement 429

CHAPTER 17 Updating Tables 437

CHAPTER 18 Loading and Unloading Data 461

CHAPTER 19 Working with XML Documents 471

PART III Creating Database Objects 491

CHAPTER 20 Creating Tables 493

CHAPTER 21 Specifying Integrity Constraints 539

CHAPTER 22 Character Sets and Collations 561

CHAPTER 23 The ENUM and SET Types 577

CHAPTER 24 Changing and Dropping Tables 591

CHAPTER 25 Using Indexes 603

CHAPTER 26 Views 631

CHAPTER 27 Creating Databases 653

CHAPTER 28 Users and Data Security 659

CHAPTER 29 Statements for Table Maintenance 683

CHAPTER 30 The SHOW, DESCRIBE, and HELP Statements 693

PART IV Procedural Database Objects 701

CHAPTER 31 Stored Procedures 703

CHAPTER 32 Stored Functions 745

CHAPTER 33 Triggers 755

CHAPTER 34 Events 767

PART V Programming with SQL 783

CHAPTER 35 MySQL and PHP 785

CHAPTER 36 Dynamic SQL with Prepared Statement 807

CHAPTER 37 Transactions and Multiuser Usage 815

APPENDIX A Syntax of SQL 839

APPENDIX B Scalar Functions 903

APPENDIX C System Variables 953

APPENDIX D Bibliography 963

Index 967

The Most Complete and Practical Guide to MySQL 5.x’s Powerful SQL Dialect

MySQL 5.x offers a SQL dialect with immense power. In SQL for MySQL Developers, Rick F. van der Lans helps you master this version of SQL, and leverage its full potential. Using case study examples and hands-on exercises, van der Lans illuminates every key concept, technique, and statement?including advanced features that make it easier to create even the most complex statements and programs.

Drawing on decades of experience as a SQL standards team member and enterprise consultant, he reveals exactly why MySQL’s dialect works as it does?and how to get the most out of it. You’ll gain powerful insight into everything from basic queries to stored procedures, transactions to data security.

Whether you’re a programmer, Web developer, analyst, DBA, or database user, this book can take you from ?apprentice? to true SQL expert. If you’ve used SQL in older versions of MySQL, you’ll become dramatically more effective?and if you’re migrating from other database platforms, you’ll gain practical mastery fast.

· Writing queries, including joins, functions, and subqueries

· Updating data

· Creating tables, views, and other database objects

· Specifying keys and other integrity constraints

· Improving efficiency with indexes

· Enforcing security via passwords and privileges

· Building stored procedures and triggers

· Embedding SQL statements within PHP programs

· Using transactions, savepoint, rollback, isolation level, and repeatable read

· Optimizing performance by reformulating SQL statements

· Utilizing MySQL’s catalog

· Reference section: SQL statement definitions and SQL function lists

Contents

Preface

Part I: Introduction

1 Introduction to MySQL

2 The tennis club sample database

3 Installing the software

4 SQL in a nutshell

Part II: Querying and updating data

5 SELECT statement: common elements

6 SELECT statements, table expressions, and subqueries

7 SELECT statement: the FROM clause

8 SELECT statement: the WHERE clause

9 SELECT statement: SELECT clause and aggregation functions

10 SELECT statement: the GROUP BY clause

11 SELECT statement: the HAVING clause

12 SELECT statement: the ORDER BY clause

13 SELECT statement: the LIMIT clause

14 Combining table expressions

15 The user variable and the SET statement

16 The HANDLER statement

17 Updating tables

18 Loading and unloading data

19 Working with XML documents

Part III: Creating database objects

20 Creating tables

21 Specifying integrity constraints

22 Character sets and collations

23 The ENUM and SET types

24 Changing and dropping tables

25 Using indexes

26 Views

27 Creating databases

28 Users and data security

29 Statements for table maintenance

30 The SHOW, DESCRIBE, and HELP statements

Part IV: Procedural database objects

31 Stored procedures

32 Stored functions

33 Triggers

34 Events

Part V: Programming with SQL

35 MySQL and PHP

36 Dynamic SQL with prepared statement

37 Transactions and multi-user usage

Appendix A Syntax of SQL

Appendix B Scalar functions

Appendix C System variables

Appendix D Bibliography

It works!
I just received the book yesterday. I opened the book, browsed the table of content and immediately noticed one of the topic on "Select" I can utilize directly in my work (as a professional software engineer). I updated my code today in my office. A single statement update replaced a chunk of our existing code and it all works out beautifully.

Never have a book that pay for itself so fast.

If you program SQL and all you use is the stuff you remembered since your college days, buy this book and read. You will be surprised!

Excellent translated guide to MySQL
Over the last 5 years, I would say I’ve at least read every book available on MySQL and bought my fair share.

This book is by far the best one available on some of the advanced features of MySQL. It’s better than even the Bible and Cookbook series on things like stored procedures, even though it spends too much time on the basics. I loved the large text, but wish there had been more meat on stored procedures, triggers and events (which is why I picked it up to begin with). There are insider knowledge gems sprinkled throughout that will definitely add spice to your SQL, so it’s worth a look.

I don’t know why even in 2007 authors insist on repeating the MySQL documentation,--it’s a MASSIVE amount of wasted space, since anyone using this stuff will be familiar with the online documentation and helpful user commentary. There were a few typos, but that’s pretty par for the course. The section on PHP, though, was pretty useless and not particularly good code-wise (in my humble opinion).

One day someone will put out a really advanced cookbook, that doesn’t waste space explaining super simple things like "select * from table," but until then it’s a great resource. If you can get it at a discount, like on a Borders reward coupon (which they give out like candy) grab it. Clearly, the Europeans still have something to teach us about MySQL! :o))

9 chapters just on SELECT; wow!
Van der Lans offers an impressively thorough education in MySQL 5. It is remarkable how much capability is offered for free in the open source MySQL. The book can also be used to learn generic SQL from scratch. Some early chapters give a quick recap, that should be understandable to an experienced programmer, who does not know SQL. If this describes you, the biggest adjustment to learning it might be its declarative nature, as opposed to the procedural ethos of most programming languages.

One striking feature of the book is the extensive explanation of SELECT. This is the key statement of SQL, and you need to be facile with it. Nine [sic] chapters are devoted to SELECT. Gives you some idea of both the power and complexity of the command. Rarely do other SQL books allocate so much space to a rendition of SELECT. Often, they teach you the basic modes of using it, and then you are left on your own. (Gee, thanks!) Whereas here, for example, an entire chapter is about the SELECT HAVING clause, and another chapter is on the SELECT LIMIT clause. Across these nine chapters are enough worked examples that you can fruitfully mine.

Later chapters delve into more specialised aspects of SQL. Sure, these are all significant. But maybe the most useful is the idea of stored procedures and functions. Vital to optimising performance.

Lest this very mass of detail prove offputting, keep in mind the "Reference" in the book’s title. You don’t have to read it all at once. As you go thru it, you should develop an intuition of what can be safely relegated to a later reading, when you have specific need of those topics.