MySQL: the Definitive Guide to Using, Programming, and Administering MySQL 4.1 and 5.0: The Definitive Guide to Using, Programming, and Administering MySQL 4.1 and 5.0 (Developer's Library)

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Paul DuBois

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Pages: 1320 (Paperback)

ISBN: 0672326736

Pub: Sams

Pub date: 2005-04-07

Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 180043

Editorial Review:

The unexpected pleasure of reading books about databases is that they are often written by authors with highly organised minds. Paul DuBois and his editors at New Riders have assembled MySQL with a clarity and lucidity that inspires confidence in the subject matter: a (nearly) freely-re-distributable SQL-interpreting database client-server primarily geared for UNIX systems but maintained for Windows platforms as well. What isn't "free" about MySQL (the application) is its server's commercial use; all clients and non-commercial server use are free. DuBois's tome isn't free either, but its list price is modest in light of its own and its namesake's value.
The volume is superbly organised in 12 chapters and 10 appendices and contains a concise table of contents and an expansive 50-page index for relational information extraction. It is peppered with references to the on-line HTML documentation that comes with the source and binary distributions (which are available and trivially-installable in stable rpm and tar releases).
The first third of MySQL is an excellent instruction tool for database newbies; the second third is a detailed reference for MySQL developers; and the last third consists of clearly annotated appendices, including C, Perl (but not Python), and PHP interfaces.
Perhaps as an indication of the collective will of the developers of MySQL, DuBois does not separate Window 95/98/NT design or development specifics from its main discussions. Platform-independent design is a goal, not a reality, and users will have to rely on newsgroups and mailing lists for details. Moreover, security issues are addressed in a mere 18 pages, a large part of which is devoted to standard UNIX file and network-access permissions. Next-to-nothing is mentioned about defence against common hacking strategies, the use of secure shell interfaces or access encryption.

Although it is nearly 800 pages, DuBois's book is gratefully not encyclopaedic. It is a valuable précis of the MySQL database, and its easy-to-skim look and feel will make it an excellent browse for database experts who want to know what is and is not possible within MySQL, the application. --Peter Leopold, Amazon.com

Reader Reviews:

Still the best - but a disimprovement on the first edition (0/3 people found this helpful)

This is still the best buy for content out of the MySQL books, but has been reformatted relative to the first edition so that there is far less information on each page -- making it more difficult to use as a reference.

Superb! (1/3 people found this helpful)

If you only buy one MySQL book then make sure that it's this one. Well formatted and easy to read this book cannot be faulted.

Database programming made easy (2/3 people found this helpful)

This is one of the most accessible books you could want to read if you want to get going with MySQL databases. From no database experience at all, this book helped me create interactive web pages in conjunction with PHP (though PERL and C are supported as well). The theory is explained but the examples are excellent and can be adapted for your own requirements. Major features of MySQL theory are explained but items such as database recovery, query optimistation and general database administration are covered as well.
I would recommend purchasing this book in conjunction with Luke Welling and Laura Thompson 'PHP and MySQL development' and you'll be amazed at what you'll be doing in a short space of time.

The best MySQL book I purchased (5/6 people found this helpful)

In the second edition of MySQL, Paul DuBois provides an updated, comprehensive guide to one of the most popular relational database systems.
MySQL 4.0, now generally available, is a long-awaited update to the database management system that has many new features, including a new table definition file format, enhanced replication, and more functions for a full text search.

I am impressed by the clarity and usefulness of the introductory chapters that are targeted at readers new to databases. This section gives non-technical users the knowledge and experience needed to make productive use of a database very quickly.
The book make the learning for beginners piece of cake, and for experienced ones a lot of fun. It's focus is on couple of tables that you build in the first chapter, and keep manipulating throughout the book.
Easy language, great references and awesome appendixes. Listings of all the functions, keywords, syntaxes are available (in alphabetical order). Also separate appendixes for Perl DBI API, C API and PHP API makes it even more useful...

Got to be THE definitive MySQL book (12/13 people found this helpful)

I found myself having to use MySQL to backend a C-based project I was doing, but I'd not seen MySQL before. Used this book along with the online manual and had the application working great (with replication!) in about three days. Just added a web-based PHP front end too. All this is documented in this book, very clear and easy to follow. Problems? - if you don't know SQL, get a SQL reference as well, and the book is a bit out of date, which is normal with computer software books. Oh, and it's a bit on the pricy side.. Summary: in my opinion this book is as definitive on MySQL as K&R is/was on the C language. Get it!

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