IT programming books related reviews
Product: Book Paperback
Title: SQL Server 7 Developer's Guide
Publisher: Osborne Publishing
Authors: Michael Otey, Paul Conte
Rating: 5/5
Title: SQL Server 7 Developer's Guide
Publisher: Osborne Publishing
Authors: Michael Otey, Paul Conte
Rating: 5/5
The SQL Server 7 Developer's Guide provided me with an excellent management overview of this re-designed relational database software and much serious in-depth support for making SQLServer 7 a part of the new standard set of windows applications packages. The content and structure is fresh and not a rewrite of material for earlier versions of SQLServer that appends new product features. The Developer's Guide is especially well-suited to someone, like myself, who does not have a previous investment in older SQL applications but is ready to bring SQLServer 7 onboard now because it will be easier to use and its applications will be customizabile with Visual Basic. The code samples on the CD will be a real aide to me. I found the material on the SQL-Transact language and coverage of all (old and new) MicroSoft connectivity methods for database applications clear and practical.
Product: Book Paperback
Title: SQL Server 2000 Stored Procedure Programming
Publisher: Osborne/McGraw-Hill
Authors: Dejan Sunderic, Tom Woodhead
Rating: 1/5
Title: SQL Server 2000 Stored Procedure Programming
Publisher: Osborne/McGraw-Hill
Authors: Dejan Sunderic, Tom Woodhead
Rating: 1/5
I'm disappointed with almost every aspect of this book. This book proves what I've been thinking for several years now: the Osborne books have steadily gone down in quality, and this one is at or near the very bottom. I don't know where they get these authors, but they get people who obviously don't have a lot of writing experience. This one reads like a long, poorly written email. Usually, I find a technical nugget here and there in the books I buy, even the bad ones. This one is complete devoid of anything of value. It's so bad that I'm sending it back for a refund.
Product: Book Paperback
Title: Transact-SQL Programming
Publisher: O'Reilly
Authors: Lee Gould, Andrew Zanevsky, Kevin Kline
Rating: 1/5
Title: Transact-SQL Programming
Publisher: O'Reilly
Authors: Lee Gould, Andrew Zanevsky, Kevin Kline
Rating: 1/5
I picked up this one thinking I could learn about SQL Server 2000. This book doesn't even cover SQL Server 7.0, let alone 2000. The code examples are all geared toward 4.2 and 6.5. Also, they use techniques that were deprecated even in 6.5 days. For example, old-style outer joins are all over the place. Many of the examples no longer work because so many things have changed in SQL Server since 6.5. Some don't work because they never did -- even on 4.2/6.5.Last, the depth of coverage is really erratic. One minute they're giving you the command line options for the bcp utility (what does this have to do with Transact-SQL?), the next minute they're glossing over something really important.A real loser of a book in my opinion.
Product: Book Paperback
Title: PHP for the World Wide Web : Visual QuickStart Guide (2nd Edition) (Visual Quickstart Guides)
Publisher: Peachpit Press
Authors: Larry Ullman
Rating: 3/5
Title: PHP for the World Wide Web : Visual QuickStart Guide (2nd Edition) (Visual Quickstart Guides)
Publisher: Peachpit Press
Authors: Larry Ullman
Rating: 3/5
After a good deal of searching for a good PHP book, I finally found this one. It's a great book, yeah, and I went through it without problem and found the layout of the book extremely easy to understand. For beginners, Ullman did a very good job of explaining the -basics- of PHP.That said, after a good number of phrases like 'beyond the scope of this book', I grew to feel like it was just meant to be a stepping stone for PHP Advanced for the World Wide Web. The object-oriented side of PHP was not discussed, along with other aspects of the language. Ullman often tells you to go to various sites (including the PHP home page) instead of explaining it himself, which I found particularly annoying. I did not buy the book to be redirected to other sites I could have gone to anyway.The examples, although I don't feel that they are an important aspect of the book, are usually pretty useless. This is something I have found with a lot of the Visual Quickstart books, but I don't feel that it should bring the book's value down much.Overall, PHP for the World Wide Web is a useful book if you don't mind spending [$] to learn the very basics of PHP.
Product: Book Paperback
Title: Transact-SQL Programming
Publisher: O'Reilly
Authors: Lee Gould, Andrew Zanevsky, Kevin Kline
Rating: 1/5
Title: Transact-SQL Programming
Publisher: O'Reilly
Authors: Lee Gould, Andrew Zanevsky, Kevin Kline
Rating: 1/5
Despite the cover, this is not a 7.0 book. I believe it was written for 4.2 or 6.5 because many of the source listings use techniques that have been deprecated for years, even by Microsoft (e.g., old-style joins). This thing really needs an update. I found no less than 10 examples that wouldn't work on 7.0.
Product: Book Paperback
Title: SQL Anywhere Studio 9 Developer's Guide (With CD-ROM)
Publisher: Wordware Publishing, Inc.
Authors: Breck Carter
Rating: 5/5
Title: SQL Anywhere Studio 9 Developer's Guide (With CD-ROM)
Publisher: Wordware Publishing, Inc.
Authors: Breck Carter
Rating: 5/5
I started using Sybase SQL Anywhere before Sybase owned it--when it was called The "Watcom" Database Engine. "SQL Anywhere Studio 9 Developer's Guide" is an outstanding reference. The book was written by someone who obviously has a great deal of experience using SQL Anywhere Studio to build real-world software solutions. Highly recommended.
Product: Book Hardcover
Title: MCSD: SQL Server 6.5 Database Design Study Guide
Publisher: Sybex Inc
Authors: Kevin Hough
Rating: 2/5
Title: MCSD: SQL Server 6.5 Database Design Study Guide
Publisher: Sybex Inc
Authors: Kevin Hough
Rating: 2/5
I agree with much of what has been said. This book canbe useful, and would actually be an excellent book if it were not for the errors in the book. (this may sound strange "The book is good except for where it is wrong") I like the structure and format of the book, and it is an easy read. If it were not for the technical errors I would rate it 5 stars. With the technical errors, I would say it can be a useful addition to your study efforts, but should NOT be your only source. Second Editions anyone? (Or even edition 1.01 would be nice)
Product: Book Paperback
Title: Sams Teach Yourself SQL in 24 Hours (3rd Edition)
Publisher: Sams
Authors: Ryan Stephens, Ron Plew
Rating: 5/5
Title: Sams Teach Yourself SQL in 24 Hours (3rd Edition)
Publisher: Sams
Authors: Ryan Stephens, Ron Plew
Rating: 5/5
The best book I have found to explain SQL to someone with no experience.It is very easy to grasp SQL using this book. Plus the format allows one to invest a little bit of time each day and make recognizable progress. In addition, if you don't have access to database software, you can still do the exercises and check your results.
Product: Book Paperback
Title: Oracle PL/SQL Programming, Third Edition
Publisher: O'Reilly
Authors: Steven Feuerstein
Rating: 1/5
Title: Oracle PL/SQL Programming, Third Edition
Publisher: O'Reilly
Authors: Steven Feuerstein
Rating: 1/5
This book is useless as reference it doesnt fully describe basic functions like to_number. author waste pages on style which is useless to experienced programmers. waste of money
Product: Book Hardcover
Title: MCDBA SQL Server 7 Administration Study Guide (Book/CD-ROM Set)
Publisher: Mcgraw-Hill Osborne Media
Authors: Syngress
Rating: 2/5
Title: MCDBA SQL Server 7 Administration Study Guide (Book/CD-ROM Set)
Publisher: Mcgraw-Hill Osborne Media
Authors: Syngress
Rating: 2/5
If you have absolutely no knowledge of the rudiments of SQL Server 7.0, then buy this book. If you want to pass the test, look elsewhere. This book glosses over the exam objectives- certain key objectives are handled with single paragraphs!!!
