IT programming books related reviews
Product: Book Paperback
Title: Writing Apache Modules with Perl and C
Publisher: O'Reilly
Authors: Lincoln Stein, Doug MacEachern
Rating: 5/5
Title: Writing Apache Modules with Perl and C
Publisher: O'Reilly
Authors: Lincoln Stein, Doug MacEachern
Rating: 5/5
_Writing Apache Modules_ (WAM) is a high quality work, even amongst other O'Reilly books. Few/no typos and articulate writing, very usable index and good content organization, accurate and complete information, top notch Perl code. Yes, only about 5% of the code are in C, but the C API reference is there. I write Perl and C modules and I can use this book for both (though for specific C techniques, you'll probably be better off by reading the Apache developers and apache-modules mailing lists).I haven't actually read the other mod_perl and developer-oriented Apache books out there but in my opinion this book is still indispensable if you plan to write Apache modules, either in Perl, C, or other languages. Especially if you write for mod_perl, this book is a great complement to the mod_perl guide. Stas' guide focuses on deployment and tuning issues (memory usage, speed, etc) while WAM focuses on the Apache API and how Apache can help you do the job by writing modules.Personally, _Writing Apache Modules_ is still the most useful reference book to date. It's one that spends the largest amount of time on my desk. And, oh yes, Amazon gives a good deal on this one ... .Can't wait for the Apache 2 counterpart.
Product: Book Hardcover
Title: OCA/OCP: Introduction to Oracle9i SQL Study Guide
Publisher: Sybex
Authors: Chip Dawes, Biju Thomas, Chip Dawes, Biju Thomas
Rating: 4/5
Title: OCA/OCP: Introduction to Oracle9i SQL Study Guide
Publisher: Sybex
Authors: Chip Dawes, Biju Thomas, Chip Dawes, Biju Thomas
Rating: 4/5
I just pass the exam 5 minutes ago, and I an so supprised I got 93.3% (4 wrongs). I bought two books for this exam(an oracle press one). But focused on this book. I think the question on the test is a little more difficult than practice test. Anyway, this book help me a lot. It is a good reference during the test. Only one question on the test is not covered in this book (about iSQL).
Product: Book Paperback
Title: Sams Teach Yourself SQL in 10 Minutes, Third Edition
Publisher: Sams
Authors: Ben Forta
Rating: 5/5
Title: Sams Teach Yourself SQL in 10 Minutes, Third Edition
Publisher: Sams
Authors: Ben Forta
Rating: 5/5
I am only 13 years old and understood every line of this book!This is a great book to get you started in database management using SQL. The format of the book is one I've never seen, I love it. He first explains a new concept, compares it to other previously learned concepts, and then gives an example. Following this he explains the example. There are lots of other things helpful in his technique as well, such as showing the examples for Oracle users (a Database management program).The thing that I really like is the perfect balance of explanations and examples. It is hard to find a page in the book without at least one example.Upsides to this book
---------------------
not to many words
easy to handle concepts
well written
great for beginners
Downsides to book
------------------
Not the best book for reference, but not bad.
not for advanced SQL users
Over all, the best computer book I've ever read, don't hesitate to get yourself a copy.
Product: Book Paperback
Title: Core PHP Programming: Using PHP to Build Dynamic Web Sites (2nd Edition)
Publisher: Pearson Education
Authors: Leon Atkinson
Rating: 3/5
Title: Core PHP Programming: Using PHP to Build Dynamic Web Sites (2nd Edition)
Publisher: Pearson Education
Authors: Leon Atkinson
Rating: 3/5
I give the book a thumbs up. It is the first book on PHP and I expected it to be a general reference / tutorial book covering the basics--which it certainly does. Sure you could use the on-line docs, and there are some good on-line tutorials but this puts it all in one place and makes it easy to take on the bus. Sure, if you've mastered the docs and on-line tutorials available, the book is a nice hard copy but you may not find much new info--but as a beginner, I found the book helpful. Newer printings have corrected an error which slipped in early but I strongly recommend reading the review by Lara Fabans below.In addition to code examples from the book and PHP itself, the CD contains the Xitami web-server for Win 95/98. Though instructions are installation are only given for NT, the Win 95/98 installation is the easiest thing in the world (surprised me!) with a couple of notable exceptions. (1) When I installed Xitami I had a hard time setting up the PHP filter through the admin mechanism. For some reason the filter information isn't saved so I've had to create and manually edit a deaults.cfg (see xitami.cfg for template). Once you do this PHP works great, except that...(2) The CD does NOT include a MySQL server for Win 95/98. This you will find on the MySQL website, but making all three work together has been a bear. Without MySQL many of the examples simply will not run. It probably best just to let some hosting service do all the dirty work. But gee, it would have been nice to test PHP scripts from home and stay off-line...But am I sorry I bought the book? No way, I'd still be on square one glaring at on-line refs. without it.
Product: Book Paperback
Title: Beginning SQL Server 2000 Programming
Publisher: Wrox Press
Authors: Robin Dewson
Rating: 4/5
Title: Beginning SQL Server 2000 Programming
Publisher: Wrox Press
Authors: Robin Dewson
Rating: 4/5
This book is a good starting point programmers who are familiar with other databases but want to learn about SQL Server 2000. This book includes a 120-day evaluation copy of SQL Server 2000, and the author guides us through, installation and configuration of our first database. In the process, we learn how to use the Enterprise Manager and Query Analyzer programs for database development.Unfortuantely, the section on primary keys and unique constraints is weak. And, the author's coverage of triggers
is confusing. You'll have to find another book to supplement these sections if you have not yet mastered these concepts.
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: 4/5
Title: PHP for the World Wide Web : Visual QuickStart Guide (2nd Edition) (Visual Quickstart Guides)
Publisher: Peachpit Press
Authors: Larry Ullman
Rating: 4/5
I am somewhat new to programming, even newer to PHP. I have spent hours and hours in local bookstores trying to discern which book to buy. I have now owned 4 books on PHP -- 3 of which have been returned. This is the only one I've kept. Why? Every other book I have looked at is either (a) information overload, or (b) takes forgranted a certain level of programming experience. WHO IS THIS BOOK FOR? The beginning programmer--*not* just the beginning "PHP-er," but the beginning programmer. If you have a decent amount of programming experience, this book will be too basic for you. If you have little or no programming experience, this book is *perfect.* So far every line of code used has been explained so that the beginning coded can not just copy down a bunch of code, but actually LEARN programming concepts in general, and in PHP in particular.ARE THERE ERRORS IN THE BOOK? Errors exist in *every* computer book I've ever touched. If you are looking for a book without errors, don't buy one, you will be disappointed. (Two of the other three PHP books I briefly owned were plagued with errors, one even came with a CD which was missing chapter 2 code, thus rendering the book/CD useless. The third book likely was error filled, I didn't keep it around long enough to find out.) However, there is a companion website .... which lists and corrects known errors...and it appears the list is updated when needed. Also, I emailed the author about an area not covered in his book and he promptly emailed me back.I only hesitate to give this book 5 Stars because I am not the world's biggest fan of the "Visual Quickstart" layout. If you've gotten along fine with other Visual Quickstart books, this one is probably one of the best. (Do not compare this book to the horrible JavaScript book put out by Visual Quickstart, as there is no comparison.)Without reservation, I recommend this book for the beginning--even intermediate--programmer who wants to LEARN, not just copy, PHP.
Product: Book Paperback
Title: The Guru's Guide to Transact-SQL
Publisher: Addison-Wesley Professional
Authors: Ken Henderson
Rating: 5/5
Title: The Guru's Guide to Transact-SQL
Publisher: Addison-Wesley Professional
Authors: Ken Henderson
Rating: 5/5
A lot of books have wasted pages and wasted space. Not this one. It is the most exacting, precise treatment of Transact SQL that I have ever seen. Every chapter is a treasure trove of techniques and advanced coding practices. Every page covers some nuance that most of us would miss. I have bought all the developers on my team a copy of this book. It's that good.
Product: Book Paperback
Title: SQL Server 2000 Administration (Book/CD-ROM)
Publisher: McGraw-Hill Companies
Authors: Mark A. Linsenbardt, M. Shane Stigler, Shane Stigler
Rating: 2/5
Title: SQL Server 2000 Administration (Book/CD-ROM)
Publisher: McGraw-Hill Companies
Authors: Mark A. Linsenbardt, M. Shane Stigler, Shane Stigler
Rating: 2/5
I'm new to administration and I've noticed several things that are wrong. This book seems like just version 7 with a new cover. All they talk about is SQL Server 7. It will say things like "In SQL Server 7, however, these stored procedures have been removed...". That's all well and good but I bought a book on SQL Server 2000 and in 2000, they are there and I've been using them. I just wonder if they were trying to use them wrong and so they couldn't find them. I'm not sure how many of the mistakes are just changes between the versions and how many are wrong in both books. I recommend looking somewhere else.
Product: Book Paperback
Title: Transact-SQL Programming
Publisher: O'Reilly
Authors: Lee Gould, Andrew Zanevsky, Kevin Kline
Rating: 4/5
Title: Transact-SQL Programming
Publisher: O'Reilly
Authors: Lee Gould, Andrew Zanevsky, Kevin Kline
Rating: 4/5
This book is an excellent textbook/reference for beginning and expert SQL programmers. The examples are absolutely wonderful - especially the ones in CASE, CUBE and ROLLUP. THe writing style is clear, cohesive, and logical. The explanations are excellent! One of the best programming books that I have read. Well worth the money!I
Product: Book Hardcover
Title: OCP Introduction to Oracle9i: SQL Exam Guide
Publisher: McGraw-Hill Osborne Media
Authors: Jason Couchman
Rating: 2/5
Title: OCP Introduction to Oracle9i: SQL Exam Guide
Publisher: McGraw-Hill Osborne Media
Authors: Jason Couchman
Rating: 2/5
I've just taken the Oracle 9i SQL section of the DBA track, after having only read this book, and using Oracle 9i somewhat. I scored a 65% (passing was 70%). This book covered about 70% of the material that was on the test. In order to pass the test, you would need to have mastered every aspect of the book. Mind you, that would only get you a 70. You will need additional resources in order to score higher than that.I gave this book more than 1 star because, used in conjunction with other books, it is a useful resource. However, because of its lack of enough information to pass the exam, and also the clear laziness the editors showed when editing the book. There are several errors, some providing contradictary information. Others were minor typographical errors, but quite unprofessional.Overall, it is a useful book, but make sure this isn't the only book you buy.
