Understanding the New SQL: A Complete Guide (Morgan Kaufmann Series in Data Management Systems)

SQL is the way to develop, program, and use database applications. SQL-92 is a major advance over earlier versions, offering the first complete SQL language. DB programmers will have the advantage of knowing that applications written in SQL-92 will be portable to all hardware platforms for many years to come. As the editor of the new standard, Jim Melton is an authority on the language and its new features. Using a highly readable, conversational style, the authors clearly present the power of SQL. They describe practical methods of using SQL to solve problems, advanced SQL query expressions, dynamic SQL, transaction models, and database design. Beginning with a tutorial on basic relational database concepts, subsequent chapters develop SQL and clarify the differences between SQL-89 and SQL-92. Throughout, a retail video and music store is used as an example that develops with the SQL presentation. The book is enhanced by a complete dynamic SQL example, coverage of international character sets, and a look at future generations of SQL. Whether you're a newcomer to SQL or an experienced programmer using PCs, workstations, mini- or mainframes, Understanding the New SQL is an essential resource for current and future implementation of SQL.

An effective introduction to SQL, and a comprehensive reference for years to come. As the editor of the 1992 standard, Jim Melton is an authority on the language and its new features. Using a highly readable, conversational style, he and Alan Simon clearly present the power of SQL. They describe practical methods of using SQL to solve problems, advanced SQL query expressions, dynamic SQL, transaction models, and database design.

* A tutorial on basic relational database concepts.

* A clear explanation of the differences between SQL-89 and SQL-92.

* A retail video and music store as an example that develops with the SQL presentation.

* Coverage of international character sets.

Jim Melton is editor of all parts of ISO/IEC 9075 (SQL) and is a representative for database standards at Oracle Corporation. Since 1986, he has been his company's representative to ANSI INCITS Technical Committee H2 for Database and a US representative to ISO/IEC JTC1/SC32/WG3 (Database Languages). In addition, Jim has participated in the W3C's XML Query Working Group since 1998 and is currently co-Chair of that Working Group. He is also Chair of the WG's Full-Text Task Force, co-Chair of the Update Language Task Force, and co-editor of two XQuery-related specifications. He is the author of several SQL books.

Alan Simon is a leading authority on data warehousing and database technology. He is the author of 26 books, including the previous edition of this book and the forthcoming Data Warehousing and Business Intelligence for e-Commerce, available from Morgan Kaufmann Publishers in early 2001. He currently provides data warehousing-related consulting services to clients.

Oracle Corporation, Sandy, Utah.

The SQL Standardization Process

G The Complete SQL-92 Language