Are you an SQL programmer that, like many, came to SQL after learning and writing procedural or object-oriented code? Or have switched jobs to where a different brand of SQL is being used, or maybe even been told to learn SQL yourself?
If even one answer is yes, then you need this book. A "Manual of Style" for the SQL programmer, this book is a collection of heuristics and rules, tips, and tricks that will help you improve SQL programming style and proficiency, and for formatting and writing portable, readable, maintainable SQL code. Based on many years of experience consulting in SQL shops, and gathering questions and resolving his students' SQL style issues, Joe Celko can help you become an even better SQL programmer.
+ Help you write Standard SQL without an accent or a dialect that is used in another programming language or a specific flavor of SQL, code that can be maintained and used by other people.
+ Enable you to give your group a coding standard for internal use, to enable programmers to use a consistent style.
+ Give you the mental tools to approach a new problem with SQL as your tool, rather than another programming language - one that someone else might not know!

"Data Modeling Essentials, Third Edition" provides expert tutelage for data modelers, business analysts and systems designers at all levels. Beginning with the basics, this book provides a thorough grounding in theory before guiding the reader through the various stages of applied data modeling and database design. Later chapters address advanced subjects, including business rules, data warehousing, enterprise-wide modeling and data management.
The third edition of this popular book retains its distinctive hallmarks of readability and usefulness, but has been given significantly expanded coverage and reorganized for greater reader comprehension. Authored by two leaders in the field, "Data Modeling Essentials, Third Edition" is the ideal reference for professionals and students looking for a real-world perspective.
- Thorough coverage of the fundamentals and relevant theory.
- Recognition and support for the creative side of the process.
- Expanded coverage of applied data modeling includes new chapters on logical and physical database design.
- New material describing a powerful technique for model verification.
- Unique coverage of the practical and human aspects of modeling, such as working with business specialists, managing change, and resolving conflict.
- Extensive online component including course notes and other teaching aids (www.mkp.com).
UML diagrams now available! Visit the companion site for more details.
Click here to view a book review by Steve Hoberman!

Would the basics of SQL querying be useful to you, but you don't want to start at the very beginning? Do you wish you had an easy way to ramp up quickly to get a basic understanding of key features and capability? Then you need this book! Without a ton of conceptual information or general programming basics you already know, this book is a quick guide for computing professionals and programmers to learn the basics--and more--in an easily digestible way.
+ Provides tutorial-based instruction for the main features of SQL for programmers and other technical professionals in need of a brief but really good introduction to SQL.
+ The approach is vendor-neutral-so very adaptable and flexible-but the book's Web site includes information about DBMS-specific peculiarities.
+ The focus is on teaching concepts by walking through concrete examples and explanations, and self-review exercises are included at the end of each chapter.
+ Coverage is on the key features of the language that are required to understand SQL and begin using it effectively.
+ SQL 2003-compliant.