Databases DeMYSTiFieD, 2nd Edition [Formato Kindle]

This is a great book and I'm going to teach out of it. It is clearer and more accessible than big database textbooks that cost $140 (which the students never read anyway.) Plus, it has great screenshots and covers both Mysql qnd Microsoft Access. But what I really like is how much design he put into it. It covers a lot of the really essential items and is a pleasure to read.

As a hobbyist in this field one of the books that I've found useful has been "Databases demystified" by Andy Oppel - a really basic introduction on the 'how to' of databases. The text is easy to follow and what I like was that at the end of each chapter there is a 'quiz' where you get to test whether you understood what you had just read. I'd used relational databases in the past (not designed them), so understood the basics, but this book helped me get my head around the language and why things are as they are.

Not a bad section on SQL except that it was all written for Oracle. I'm in search of a 'generic' book that explains about using databases, one that doesn't reflect the writers career path. Maybe it will never happen!

The other thing I found annoying about this book, and just about everything else written for beginners on databases, is that they all use the Microsoft Access 'Northwind' example. I reckon the mythical Northwind must be the most written about company in the computer beginners guides. But forgive me world, there is more to life than Microsoft Access.

Databases demystified is not as bad as some when it comes to this, but their whole chapter on Form-based Database Queries uses Microsoft Access as the example -- why? It is well worth putting aside these problems because the book is easy to read, full of general advice, and when you finish it you will know the basics, and a bit more, of data base design.

Definitely worth the investment if you are going to use a database as part of your application and if, like me, you've never done it before.

What I liked:

- Easy to read and you'll find the quizzes help you check your learning (McGraw Hill are the publishers).
- Doesn't make too many assumptions about pre-existing knowledge -- most things are explained in a clear and simple, but not patronising way.

What sucks:

- All the books I see that use Northwind and Microsoft Access as the default beginner's example database. Please universe -- stop doing that!
- Why make the SQL section so specific to Oracle? The book was pretty good when it was general, but quickly became confusing when it got into specific platforms.

For someone who never had any official courses or training in databases, only bits and pieces from things I had to do in work or in university exercises, this book was just what I was looking for. It's simple and gets right to the point. It gives good examples and is really thorough with them, covering a lot of permutations to give the reader the proper intuition in how to deal with the material learned. Overall I am extremely satisfied with this book and highly recommend it.