IT programming books related reviews
Title: The Guru's Guide to Transact-SQL
Publisher: Addison-Wesley Professional
Authors: Ken Henderson
Rating: 5/5
This book is the consummate guide to the language. If you want a book that not only provides answers to tough problems but that also tells you WHY they work and what the BEST answers to problems are, look no further.
Title: Oracle SQL & PL/SQL Annotated Archives
Publisher: Osborne/McGraw-Hill
Authors: Kevin Loney, Rachel Carmichael
Rating: 5/5
This was one of the first Oracle DBA books I read and it was excellent. I have written numerous DBA admin and repair scripts that run in NT 'AT' jobs at night and this book gave me a great start. The book is well written and the scripts were instantly useful. This book along with a few others is one of the best around and I use it nearly every day. This book blows away the 'Oracle Scripts' book by O'Reilly (although their SQLPlus book is very good.)
Title: SQL-99 Complete, Really
Publisher: CMP Books
Authors: Peter Gulutzan, Trudy Pelzer
Rating: 5/5
SQL-99 Complete, Really is a suburb reference for all things standard about relational databases. It should be a required reference for any developer serious about relational databases.Even for those who have just begun to delve into the complexities of database implementation, the clear language of this book explains the vocabulary and structure "under the hood" of database development. It's claim to completeness seems well justified and will not disappoint the technical veteran. It clearly explains the SQL standard, its history, context and usage. There are complete explanations of basic database concepts, the use of SQL and the call-level interface (CLI) that is the basis for ODBC and any number of middleware applications and database engines.In our current forrest of database technologies, Gulutzan and Pelzer have given us the rosetta stone for unraveling and understanding it all. Every developer in SQL, ODBC, or any database claiming to be relational, will find clarity and understanding here. It is a welcome addition to my library and has already improved the quality of database work coming from my company.
Title: Professional SQL Server 2000 Database Design
Publisher: Wrox Press
Authors: Louis Davidson, Wrox Author Team
Rating: 4/5
Este libro no es solo para profesionales, tambi?n sirve para aquellas personas que poseen conocimientos b?sicos de SQL Server 2000 y de Dise?o de Base de Datos y desean ampliar sus conocimientos.Te lleva de la mano en todo momento, desde el momento de la toma de informaci?n y las entrevistas con el cliente hasta el proceso de Dise?o de la Base de Datos como tal en SQL Server 2000.Adem?s utiliza un lenguaje muy cotidiano, lo cual hace el libro un poco particular.
Title: Professional PHP4 Programming
Publisher: Wrox Press
Authors: Deepak Thomas, Wankyu Choi, John Coggeshall, Ken Egervari, Martin Geisler, Zak Greant, Andrew Hill, Chris Hubbard, James Moore, Devon O'Dell, Jon Parise, Harish Rawat, Tarique Sani, Christopher Scollo, Chris Ullman, et al
Rating: 5/5
I learnt PHP3 from Leon Atkinson's Core PHP programming, but i had to refer to the manual and the list archives for several problems.I came across this book recently from KY's review corner - I have been able to raise my level of PHP knowledge after reading through this book.This book is an asset for Professional PHP developers who can refresh their PHP knowledge with the excellent case studies. For beginners there are several examples throughout the book that will help them understand how to use PHP to create fully featured active sites.This book also has extensive database treatment - using PHP with MySQL,PostgreSQL and ODBC.
It is a must for anyone wanting to use PHP or make the move from PHP3 to PHP4!
Title: Oracle Performance Troubleshooting: With Dictionary Internals, SQL & Tuning Scripts (Oracle In-Focus series)
Publisher: Rampant Techpress
Authors: Robin Schumacher
Rating: 5/5
This book is another in the series of technical volumes published by "Rampant Techpress," published by Don Burleson. The purpose of this book by Robin Schumacher is to suggest and illustrate a robust, comprehensive performance tuning methodology. With this methodology in hand, the author then provide examples and scripts to show how this works in practice. Robin points out the importance of proactively monitoring a database, and modeling database performance. He shows the difference between two key ways to approach performance tuning: Ratio based versus Bottleneck Analysis. Each have their place, he shows. For instance, he notes that Ratios are good for getting a quick "bird's eye" view of the performance. He correctly cautions the reader, in the section entitled "The Dangers of Blanket Ratios," about overly simplistic reliance on simple ratios.I found the discussion of the V$Sql_Plan view especially helpful. I admit that I have not used this in my own performance troubleshooting. After reading this book, I see that I have really missed out on a powerful tactic! Robin shows how to use this view to best effect. He includes numerous scripts, which are available from the Rampant website (I successfully downloaded all the scripts without a hitch). For example, in the script "9iCartSql" Robin shows how easy it is to find completed queries that used Cartesian Products as part of the execution plan. He points out that this could be an indication of improper join syntax. In another script, he shows how to get a list of the exact SQL that caused scans of large tables. In another example, he introduces the new view V$Sql_Plan Statistics, and illustrates a way to obtain the exact statistics for each step in the execution plan for all SQL executed on the instance.Do you get the idea? A lot of good ideas, along with the exact scripts to use. All in all, an impressive volume to add to your DBA "Tool Kit." I found the discussions clear and to the point, and intend to use many of the the numerous, practical scripts provided with this book. As Mr Schumacher points out in Chapter 1, "The IT consultants who make the really big money are the ones who can take a lethargic system and quickly turn it into one that runs as fast as greased lightning." Thank you, Robin, for heading us in the right direction!
Title: Transact-SQL Programming
Publisher: O'Reilly
Authors: Lee Gould, Andrew Zanevsky, Kevin Kline
Rating: 1/5
Since the book says it was published in 1999, I don't understand why it doesn't cover SQL Server 7.0 better. It should not have been published w/out decent 7.0 coverage. Worse, the cover claims it covers 7.0, but the only real 7.0 coverage is in a single appendix. This borders on false advertising. Had I known this when I first looked at it, I would not have bought it.
Title: Oracle SQL High-Performance Tuning (2nd Edition)
Publisher: Prentice Hall PTR
Authors: Guy Harrison
Rating: 5/5
I had a nagging and peculiar performance problem with a specific query involving a quirk in the Oracle optimizer which I had been trying to solve on and off for months. With the help of this book, I resolved the problem. It has a level of detail in query optimization way beyond other "highly recommended" books. The explanations are clear, *complete* (completeness was lacking in the other books), and easy and enjoyable to read. I finally have the understanding of these Oracle internals that I have been seeking!
Title: SQL for Dummies
Publisher: For Dummies
Authors: Allen G. Taylor
Rating: 1/5
This book assumes you already know the basics of SQL and programming. Feh! I sent it back and got PL/SQL 101...a book that REALLY understands how to teach beginners with no prior experience in SQL.
Title: Inside Microsoft SQL Server 7.0
Publisher: Microsoft Press
Authors: Ron Soukup, Kalen Delaney
Rating: 4/5
I have not read this book cover to cover, nor could I. This book is a very good reference book (although I wish DTS was covered), but not exciting reading material. If you are a SQL Server programmer,I would definitely recommend you have this book on you shelf.

