Previous edition: 2008.

On t.p. of 1st ed. Michael J. Hernandez's name appeared first.

Includes bibliographical references (p. 745) and index.

Part I. Relational databases and SQL. -- What is relational? -- Ensuring your database structure is sound -- A concise history of SQL -- Part II. SQL basics. -- Creating a simple query -- Getting more than simple columns -- Filtering your data -- Part III. Working with multiple tables. -- Thinking in sets -- Inner JOINs -- Outer JOINs -- UNIONs -- Subqueries -- Part IV. Summarizing and grouping data. -- Simple totals -- Grouping data -- Filtering grouped data -- Part V. Modifying sets of data. -- Updating sets of data -- Inserting sets of data -- Deleting sets of data -- Part VI. Introduction to solving tough problems. -- "NOT" and "AND" problems -- Condition testing -- Using unlinked data and "driver" tables -- In closing -- Appendices. A. SQL standard diagrams -- B. Schema for the sample databases -- C. Date and time types, operations, and functions -- D. Suggested reading.

"SQL Queries for Mere Mortals is the easiest, most practical guide to writing modern SQL queries. Michael J. Hernandez and John L. Viescas demystify all facets of query writing with SQL. Step by step, John L. Viescas and Michael J. Hernandez guide you through creating reliable queries for virtually any modern SQL-based database. They demystify all aspects of SQL query writing, from simple data selection and filtering to joining multiple tables and modifying sets of data. Three brand-new chapters teach you how to solve a wide range of challenging SQL problems. You'll learn how to write queries that apply multiple complex conditions on one table, perform sophisticated logical evaluations, and think "outside the box" using unlinked tables. Coverage includes: Getting started: understanding what relational databases are, and ensuring that your database structures are sound; SQL basics: using SELECT statements, creating expressions, sorting information with ORDER BY, and filtering data using WHERE; Summarizing and grouping data with GROUP BY and HAVING clauses; Drawing data from multiple tables: using INNER JOIN, OUTER JOIN, and UNION operators, and working with subqueries; Modifying data sets with UPDATE, INSERT, and DELETE statements; Advanced queries: complex NOT and AND, conditions, if-then-else using CASE, unlinked tables, driver tables, and more. Practice all you want with downloadable sample databases for today's versions of Microsoft Office Access, Microsoft SQL Server, and the open source MySQL database. Whether you're a DBA, developer, user, or student, there's no better way to master SQL." -- Publisher.