Product Description

Is your data dragging you down? Are your tables all tangled up? Well we've got the tools to teach you just how to wrangle your databases into submission. Using the latest research in neurobiology, cognitive science, and learning theory to craft a multi-sensory SQL learning experience, Head First SQL has a visually rich format designed for the way your brain works, not a text-heavy approach that puts you to sleep.

Maybe you've written some simple SQL queries to interact with databases. But now you want more, you want to really dig into those databases and work with your data. Head First SQL will show you the fundamentals of SQL and how to really take advantage of it. We'll take you on a journey through the language, from basic INSERT statements and SELECT queries to hardcore database manipulation with indices, joins, and transactions. We all know "Data is Power" - but we'll show you how to have "Power over your Data". Expect to have fun, expect to learn, and expect to be querying, normalizing, and joining your data like a pro by the time you're finished reading!

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #9569 in Books
• Published on: 2007-09-01
• Format: Illustrated
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 607 pages

Bill Sawyer, ATG Curriculum Manager, Oracle
"There are books you buy and books you keep on your desk... Head First SQL is at the top of my stack."

Andrew Cumming, Author of SQL Hacks, Zoo Keeper at sqlzoo.net
"This is not SQL made easy; this is SQL made challenging, SQL made interesting, SQL made fun."

Dan Tow, Author of SQL Tuning
"Outrageous! SQL is a computer language, right? Head First SQL is obviously written for human beings! What's up with that?!"

Customer Reviews

Wonderful Books for Mild "ADHD" Folks
Packed with needed knowledge in humorous manner! It is way easier to read than any SQL I have ever encountered... wonderful job done. I will definitely look at the books in the series first before I buy computer books of other technologies from now on.

Average Introduction to SQL ... Subpar for Technical Readers
Before purchasing this book, I read the reviews and was instantly hooked on the concept of a technical book that would use humor, imagery and other off-beat approaches as teaching tools. Unfortunately, after reading the entire book I feel that these techniques were way over utilized. The figures are very busy because the author feels you will remember words if they are attached to an image. In addition there is very little information conveyed on each page. I found myself thinking "why doesn't the author just get to the point already instead of making me flip through 10 pages?" The book probably could have been condensed down to a half or quarter of its size. The "exercises" are also quite uninspired. I didn't learn anything more from them than I would reading an intro to SQL webpage.

Anyone who has a technical background such as engineering or computer science will probably feel the same as I do. However, for those who have weak or moderate computer language skills may find the book a breath of fresh air as compared to dry, boring long-winded textbooks. I would strongly recommend reading through the first chapter if at all possible to determine if the teaching style is a good fit for you. Do a search on the net as the first chapter is freely available. I learned this after I bought the book!

Expected more content for length
This book is an excellent book for beginners to SQL that have a tough time using books to technology. The book is a very long read if you are already comfortable basic concepts like joins. However, it does have good chapters on table and database design. For the length of the book, I expected more advanced topics like stored procs.