Millions of computer users have digital data storage needs to be addressed--but no million-dollar budgets to do so. Luckily for them, there’s MySQL. Offering Oracle-like power without the huge price tag, MySQL is the leading open source data application (over 100 million copies downloaded to date) and offers a networked database that can be accessed in numerous ways--all of which are described in this invaluable reference. Using the visual, step-by-step approach readers have come to expect from this popular series, this updated Visual QuickStart Guide demonstrates how to interact with MySQL using SQL, the language common to all databases. The interface examples show how to use MySQL’s own tools and how to use three popular programming languages (PHP, Perl, and Java). Clear instructions, practical examples, plenty of screen shots, and loads of useful tips and tricks make learning MySQL a breeze, even for novice programmers. The book covers MySQL versions 3 and 4, as well as the eagerly anticipated version 5. Focusing first on the underlying concepts--What are databases? What is MySQL?--author Larry Ullman then proceeds through installation, administration, database design, and more before tackling MySQL’s use with various programming languages, database programming techniques, utilities, and advanced MySQL and SQL. Web developers, system administrators, programmers, and just about anybody who uses databases will find themselves turning again and again to this essential guide.

Even if you’ve never used MySQL before, this Visual QuickStart Guide will have you up and running with the world?s most popular open source database application in no time. In this completely updated edition of our best-selling guide to MySQL, leading technology authorLarry Ullman uses his trademark crystal-clear instructions and friendly prose to introduce you to everything that?s new in MySQL. Filled with step-by-step, task-based instructions and loads of visual aids, this book explains how to interact with MySQL using SQL, the language common to all databases. The interface examples show how to use MySQL?s own tools and how to use three popular programming languages (PHP, Perl, and Java). The book covers MySQL versions 3 and 4, as well as everything new in the eagerly anticipated version 5. Along the way, you’ll find extensive coverage of MySQL installation, administration, database design, as well as its use with various programming languages, database programming techniques, utilities, advanced MySQL and SQL, and more!

?    Takes an easy, visual approach to teaching MySQL, using pictures to guide you through the software and show you what to do.
?    Works like a reference book?you look up what you need and then get straight to work.
?    No long-winded passages?concise, straightforward commentary explains what you need to know.
?    Affordably priced, because buying a computer book shouldn?t be an investment in itself.
?    Companion Web site at www.DMCInsights.com/mysql2 contains complete source code for examples in the book, online resources, extra scripts and tutorials, updates, a reader forum, and more.

Even if you’ve never used MySQL before, this Visual QuickStart Guide will have you up and running with the world’s most popular open source database application in no time. In this completely updated edition of our best-selling guide to MySQL, leading technology authorLarry Ullman uses his trademark crystal-clear instructions and friendly prose to introduce you to everything that’s new in MySQL. Filled with step-by-step, task-based instructions and loads of visual aids, this book explains how to interact with MySQL using SQL, the language common to all databases. The interface examples show how to use MySQL’s own tools and how to use three popular programming languages (PHP, Perl, and Java). The book covers MySQL versions 3 and 4, as well as everything new in the eagerly anticipated version 5. Along the way, you’ll find extensive coverage of MySQL installation, administration, database design, as well as its use with various programming languages, database programming techniques, utilities, advanced MySQL and SQL, and more! / Takes an easy, visual approach to teaching MySQL, using pictures to guide you through the software and show you what to do./

Works like a reference book--you look up what you need and then get straight to work. / No long-winded passages--concise, straightforward commentary explains what you need to know. / Affordably priced, because buying a computer book shouldn’t be an investment in itself. / Companion Web site at www.DMCInsights.com/mysql2 contains complete source code for examples in the book, online resources, extra scripts and tutorials, updates, a reader forum, and more.

Larry Ullman is the Director of Digital Media Technology at DMC Insights, Inc., a firm specializing in information technology. He is the author of several books on PHP, MySQL, and Web development, including PHP for the World Wide Web: Visual QuickStart Guide (1st and 2nd editions). In addition to writing, he develops dynamic Web applications (in PHP and ASP.NET), conducts training seminars (on PHP, Oracle, and SQL), and teaches at the University of California Berkeley Extension Online.

Even if you’ve never used MySQL before, this Visual QuickStart Guide will have you up and running with the world’s most popular open source database application in no time. In this completely updated edition of our best-selling guide to MySQL, leading technology author Larry Ullman uses his trademark crystal-clear instructions and friendly prose to introduce you to everything that’s new in MySQL. Filled with step-by-step, task-based instructions and loads of visual aids, this book explains how to interact with MySQL using SQL, the language common to all databases. The interface examples show how to use MySQL’s own tools and how to use three popular programming languages (PHP, Perl, and Java). The book covers MySQL versions 3 and 4, as well as everything new in the eagerly anticipated version 5. Along the way, you’ll find extensive coverage of MySQL installation, administration, database design, as well as its use with various programming languages, database programming techniques, utilities, advanced MySQL and SQL, and more!

•    Takes an easy, visual approach to teaching MySQL, using pictures to guide you through the software and show you what to do.
•    Works like a reference book—you look up what you need and then get straight to work.
•    No long-winded passages—concise, straightforward commentary explains what you need to know.
•    Affordably priced, because buying a computer book shouldn’t be an investment in itself.
•    Companion Web site at www.DMCInsights.com/mysql2 contains complete source code for examples in the book, online resources, extra scripts and tutorials, updates, a reader forum, and more.

With the Web extending into every nook and cranny of modern life, there are plenty of folks out there who have data storage issues that need to be addressed-Qbut no million-dollar budgets to do so. Luckily for them, there’s MySQL. Offering Oracle-like power without the huge price tag, MySQL offers a networked database that can be accessed in numerous ways-Qall of which are described in this invaluable reference. In the clear, concise language readers have come to expect from this popular series, this Visual QuickStart Guide demonstrates how to interact with MySQL--both directly and through various popular programming languages (for example, PHP, Perl, and Java). Step-by-step instructions, practical examples, plenty of screen shots, and loads of useful tips and tricks make learning MySQL a breeze, even for novice programmers. Focusing first on the underlying conceptsQWhat are databases? What is MySQL?--author Larry Ullman then proceeds through installation, administration, database design, and more before tackling MySQL’s use with various programming languages, database programming techniques, and utilities. Web developers, system administrators, programmers, and just about anybody who uses databases will find themselves turning again and again to this essential guide.

Even if you've never used MySQL before, this Visual QuickStart Guide will have you up and running with the world’s most popular open source database application in no time. In this completely updated edition of our best-selling guide to MySQL, leading technology author Larry Ullman uses his trademark crystal-clear instructions and friendly prose to introduce you to everything that’s new in MySQL. Filled with step-by-step, task-based instructions and loads of visual aids, this book explains how to interact with MySQL using SQL, the language common to all databases. The interface examples show how to use MySQL’s own tools and how to use three popular programming languages (PHP, Perl, and Java). The book covers MySQL versions 3 and 4, as well as everything new in the eagerly anticipated version 5. Along the way, you'll find extensive coverage of MySQL installation, administration, database design, as well as its use with various programming languages, database programming techniques, utilities, advanced MySQL and SQL, and more!

•    Takes an easy, visual approach to teaching MySQL, using pictures to guide you through the software and show you what to do.
•    Works like a reference book—you look up what you need and then get straight to work.
•    No long-winded passages—concise, straightforward commentary explains what you need to know.
•    Affordably priced, because buying a computer book shouldn’t be an investment in itself.
•    Companion Web site at www.DMCInsights.com/mysql2 contains complete source code for examples in the book, online resources, extra scripts and tutorials, updates, a reader forum, and more.

Superb introduction to MySQL
Larry Ullman has seemingly made a career out of his expertise in PHP and MySQL. And his expertise in both is unquestionable. Fortunately for those of us who wish to quickly grasp the essentials of these two technologies, Ullman is also an excellent teacher and writer.

MySQL walks you gently through the beginner to early intermediate level of familiarity with the platform.

It does not treat any aspect of MySQL in great depth - which is a plus, not a minus. Cruising this book will not make you an expert on MySQL, but it will place you firmly in control of the fundamentals so you can more comfortably continue on the path to becoming a MySQL. Think of it as "training wheels".

Overall, a thorough, painless introduction to MySQL for the rank beginner.

Jerry

Excellent Book
This book is excellent for someone with no experience with MySQL. (Like Me!) It steps you through installation, setup, and use without assuming prior knowledge.

Excellent
I began with the book on MySQL and the one on PHP, with no prior knowledge of either. I found both of these books simple to understand, and easy to flick through if there’s a particular function you need. I would recommend them to anyone wishing to learn either of these languages.

Great Introduction and Reference for MySQL
Learning MYSQL can be a little daunting for beginners because its open-source and you have to do some research in getting the right information sometimes. This book is aimed at the beginner who wants to get their feet wet with MYSQL and also how to use it with many of the more popular development platforms such as Java, Perl and PHP.

It is easy to read through because of its column-based format with enough snapshots and visual guides to prevent you from getting eye strain. º

It first focuses on getting up and running on MySQL with the installation process on Windows or Mac or Linux (and UNIX). The book gives you all the links to install all the components of the database plus additional tools that will streamline you development process. There is also good information on how to upgrade your version of MySQL

The next chapter explains how to get you up and running in MySQL in the three different OS¡¦s with specifics on: Using mysqladmin, setting root password, using mysql client, setting up user privledges (creating new users) and starting and stopping services. A kinda detailed brief overview of how to be a MySQL admin.

Chapter 3 focuses on database design which usually can be kinda boring talking about normalization, importance of keys, table relationships, etc but the book only gives you the information you need with nice visuals to reinforce what is tauaght.

Chapter 4 goes over the MySQL and SQL commands in creating a database and table(s) with emphasis on field data types. Chapter 5 is a very useful chapter on basic SQL commands, since what is a database without the user knowing SQL, right? The author very succinctly reviews the SELECT statement for retrieving data, the UPDATE statement for updating records, DELETE and INSERT (you can guess what those two do). The book also goes into detail about table JOINS and filtering data with the WHERE, LIKE and GROUP BYclauses. A great resource chapter for the times you forget your basic syntax (which most people do from time to time).

Chapter 6 through 9 reviews how each of the more popular server-side web languages (PHP, Perl, and Java) use MyQL is used to retrieve, populate and update via web pages. The book provides code examples of the MySQL functions are specific to each language. Starting from how to connect to the database; how to execute commands; how to retrieve and display data (looping through records); how to incorporate error handling and how to secure your data. Depending on your preference, you will at least one of these chapters very helpful.

The next chapter focuses on new features in MySQL version 5 (stored procedures, triggers and views). These are somewhat advanced topics to a point but are covered wonderfully that even the newbie can understand.

The book finishes up with database administration issues such as performing and scheduling backups, logging, importing/exporting and repairing corruption issues.

A great introduction to MySQL that really can be your all-in-one reference as well.

A good starting point for beginners to mysql
The book is a bit out of date since it’s assuming mysql version 3 is current and currently mysql v5 is what is currently released, but it has good instructions on installing mysql on multiple platforms as well as managing on multiple platforms

Review of MySQL: Visual QuickStart Guide
Well organized with a practical approach. Buyers without previouis acquaintance with PHP programming language will have some difficulty. Otherwise the text is a great ’introduction’.

Very good
This contains some good information, but there are better books out there.

I give it a 7.2937 out of 10 using my advanced book review calculation system.

Very good
This contains some good information, but there are better books out there.



I give it a 7.2937 out of 10 using my advanced book review calculation system.

Excellent Beginner’s Book
If you are new to SQL or MySQL, this is the book to get. Once you get past the newbie stage, then get Vaswani’s MySQL Complete Reference. I really like Ullman’s books. He does a very good job of explaining and walking you through the various parts with a minimum of fuss and distractions. This, as well as his other books on PHP are tutorial in nature rather than reference books, so the order of subjects is his. The book also works ok (not great) as a reference because he has a pretty good index.

I read MySQL VQG last year when I was completely new to SQL, MySQL & PHP, so that is the perspective for this rating. It is intended to be an introductory book, hence the name Visual QuickStart Guide. It was a fast, straight forward read, well worth my limited available time.

I highly recommend Ullman to MySQL beginners.

Good, and mostly (but not completely) .. uh .. complete.
I bought this book Second; the O’Reilly was the first book on PHP I bought.

I made it through about 5 chapters of the O’Reilly -- through Arrays -- and just couldn’t wrap my brain around the concept of Multidimensional Arrays and how they’re handled in PHP. So, I bought this book. I read it cover to cover and really got a good grasp, not just of Arrays but of PHP in general and good programming techniques. then I went back to the O’Reilly and finished it.

So here’s what I think: Neither book is perfect. The VQS is great for the absolute beginner, as is the O’Reilly. However, the O’Reilly gets into the thick of things such as Validation techniques and the like before this reader was prepared for it, and I suffered through a lot of the minutae of that process before I had a grasp of PHP programming. That said, the VQS guide barely scratches the surface of validation and security, however it covers its sub-topics in a very logical order.

the round-up:

VQS Pros:
*Very Readable.
*Makes sense chronologically in terms of learning process
*After reading, gives a good framework for further learning.
*Good online resources
*good Appendices

VQS Cons:
*Little in the way of validation explanation
*Not much info on Regular Expressions

O’Reilly Pros:
*In-depth (sometimes to a fault!)
*More complete information on Validation, Cookies, XML integration (the VQS had none) and Regex.
*Follows a theme throughout the book (a restaurant online menu project)
*Self-quizzes at the end of each chapter

O’Reilly Cons:
*Teaches a bit out-of-order (for me)
*Gets bogged down in the minutae early on
*Not the most readable writing style.

I recommend BOTH of these titles together. With them in hand (and maybe Larry Ullman’s MySQL book) you will have pretty much everything covered.

Excellent
I began with the book on MySQL and the one on PHP, with no prior knowledge of either. I found both of these books simple to understand, and easy to flick through if there’s a particular function you need. I would recommend them to anyone wishing to learn either of these languages.