Purpose: The handbook is designed as a comprehensive course to teach the fundamentals of relational databases and the SQL language.
Goal: By the end of the course, readers are expected to be able to query, maintain, and define relational databases using SQL.
Scope: While it covers the full range of SQL's query capabilities and object creation, it explicitly states that it does not address database design.
The book is organized into nine major chapters and several helpful appendices:
Introduction: Basics of relational databases and an overview of what SQL is.
Basic Queries: Fundamental techniques for selecting columns and rows, sorting data, and eliminating duplicates.
Advanced Operators: Use of complex operators like LIKE, AND, OR, BETWEEN, IN, and IS NULL.
Expressions: Performing arithmetic calculations and using column aliases.
Functions: Application of statistical functions (SUM, AVG, etc.) and data grouping.
Multi-Table Queries: Mastering joins, table aliases, and unions to combine data from different sources.
Queries Within Queries: Detailed instruction on single-valued, multi-valued, and correlated subqueries.
Maintaining Tables: Practical steps for inserting, updating, and deleting rows, as well as managing transactions.
Defining Database Objects: Instructions for creating and removing tables, indices, and views, along with managing integrity constraints.
Relational Database Fundamentals: Definition of tables, unique identification of rows by content, and the importance of unique table and column names.
SQL Statement Categories:
Query: Using the SELECT statement to display data.
Maintenance: Using INSERT, UPDATE, and DELETE to manage table data.
Definition: Using CREATE and DROP to manage database objects like tables and indices.
Integrity and Optimization: Implementation of constraints such as PRIMARY KEY, FOREIGN KEY, UNIQUE, and NOT NULL to ensure data quality.
Transactions: Using COMMIT and ROLLBACK to permanently apply or reverse changes.
Exercise Database: The book utilizes a consistent "logical database" (including tables like PERSONS, COUNTRIES, and ARMIES) for all examples and exercises.
Practical Reinforcement: Each topic is supported by ample exercises, and a dedicated appendix provides the full answers to ensure mastery.
Quick References: Includes a concise "Syntax Summary" for rapid lookup of command structures.
Visual Aids: Uses tables and "Value Summary" boxes to clarify technical syntax for numbers, strings, and dates.
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