MySQL

chromatic, lord of many reviews, has come up with a review of MySQL, from the folks at New Riders. Author Paul DuBois has gone beyond the technically comprehensive MySQL documentation to produce an informative and entertaining compendium of MySQL knowledge. Requiring little prior experience ("What is a database and why should I care?"), he explains general SQL and RDBMSs, as well as the peculiarities of MySQL.

MySQL
author	Paul DuBois
pages	756
publisher	New Riders
rating	8.5
reviewer	chromatic
ISBN	07357-0921-1
summary	There's something for everyone -- user, developer, administrator -- in Paul DuBois' excellent MySQL book.

The Scoop

Paul DuBois has gone beyond the technically comprehensive MySQL documentation to produce an informative and entertaining compendium of MySQL knowledge. Requiring little prior experience ("What is a database and why should I care?"), he explains general SQL and RDBMSs as well as the peculiarities of MySQL.

What's to Like?

The prose is clear and readable. At the start, DuBois walks the reader through designing two very different database projects. After the first chapter, a normal user will be proficient at manipulating the client and issuing basic commands -- even designing her own tables. From there, the rest of the MySQL world opens up as more detail emerges. The sections on optimizing queries and table indexes will prove particularly valuable as the database grows from a hobby into a valuable project of its own.

Almost anyone working with MySQL will find appropriate information, no matter his approach. While the standard client receives ample attention, Perl and PHP Web interfaces are developed and explained in later chapters. After explaining the general ideas of the particular interface, DuBois walks through the design and evolution of programs to fill specific tasks. These programs start with basic functionality and gradually add more features until the original goal is met.

Though the book explicitly covers stable version 3.22 and development version 3.23, features introduced in newer versions are marked and features on the roadmap are mentioned. Deprecated functions and replacements are labeled, too. As well, the section on "missing features" is useful, giving suggested workarounds, when present. (Examples include subselects and transactions.) ANSI SQL receives plenty of attention -- even where the MySQL implementation strays. It's an honest approach.

DB administrators aren't left out -- a full section is dedicated to their own issues. Security and permissions receive due treatment, as does performance tuning. The section on maintenance and database relocation was particularly interesting. There's even a treatise on the structure of the database files (notable for the differences between the ISAM and MyISAM formats).

Finally, the included appendices are well-selected. Weighing in at slightly less than a third of the pages, this tome will not have time to gather dust on my bookshelf. Most pertain to programmers, but having a physical guide to the built-in MySQL functions has a certain appeal.

What's to Consider?

While filed with useful information and clear examples, the Perl chapter had a distinctive C flavor to it. As the corresponding C chapter assumes familiarity with that language and the PHP discussion starts with an introduction to PHP, the author assumedly addresses potential MySQL programmers in three categories: C programmers, Perl dabblers, and PHP initiates. While this likely reflects the makeup of his intended audience, it may also prove distracting to more experienced users. (Suggestion for these folks: read the example code and skip to the API appendix.)

A minor nitpick is the binding and cover of the book. My review copy managed to attract lots of dirt on the nice cover, and it developed a serious crack in the spine, in the middle of the Perl DBI chapter. Some of the affected pages are coming loose, after moderate usage. Hopefully this is just a defect in my copy.

Be aware that much of the example prose has a touch of free-Unix to it. Nearly all options will work on the Windows platform, but users unaccustomed to extended command line forays may feel uncomfortable. (Since this also applies to the database, it's barely worth mentioning.)

The Summary

MySQL is an excellent book, with a good balance of database introduction, believably practical examples, and technical information. Want to program, set up, or administer a MySQL system? You won't go wrong here.

Purchase the book at ThinkGeek.

Table of Contents

1. General MySQL Use
2. 1. Introduction to MySQL and SQL
   2. Working with Data in MySQL
   3. MySQL SQL Syntax and Use
   4. Query Optimization
3. Using MySQL Programming Interfaces
4. 1. Introduction to MySQL Programming
   2. The MySQL C API
   3. The Perl DBI API
   4. The PHP API
5. MySQL Administration
6. 1. Introduction to MySQL Administration
   2. The MySQL Data Directory
   3. General MySQL Administration
   4. Security
   5. Database Maintenance and Repair
7. Appendixes
8. 1. Obtaining and Installing Software
   2. Column Type Reference
   3. Operator and Function Reference
   4. SQL Syntax Reference
   5. MySQL Program Reference
   6. C API Reference
   7. Perl DBI API Reference
   8. PHP API Reference
   9. Useful Third-Party Tools
   10. Internet Service Providers

"Informative"? Please. Here's some info.

If someone wants to knock this book, fine, but to moderate someone up when they admit they haven't even read the book is silly, especially when they offer no more detailed criticism than some vague "BAD experiences."

I read O'Reilly's mSQL and mySQL when it came out. Say what you want about their other books, this was not their finest hour. The New Riders books, which I read about three months ago, is a great book on its own -- in comparision to the O'Reilly book, however, it's simply outstanding. If you want to get one book on mySQL, the New Riders one is unquestionably the book to get.

Oh, and I have no connection with New Riders -- I own a lot of O'Reilly books, and the mySQL book is the only tech book of New Riders that I own so far. So far. I'm really looking forward to their Web Application Development with PHP, which I ordered a couple of weeks ago.

Oh yeah, and as for the info that I mentioned in the subject line. I just noticed that ComputerBookstore.com [computerbookstore.com] just extended their 41% off sale on all New Riders books until April 30. (The deadline had been April 16th, but I got inundated with tax-paying and forgot to order my books.) Heh, and as I check the above link to make sure it works, I noticed that they've also now got a 41% off sale on all Wrox books, too. Argh, pity me and my credit card....

Cheers,
[e-mail]

P.S. Heh, I noticed that they've even got Jon Katz's Geeks at 41% off, too.

My review so far....

This is scary. As I lay in bed last night I was reading the book in question. After bieng sucked into the book for over an hour I finally put it down to sleep. Hmm, maybe Slashdot would be interested in a review when I finish. Doh! Oh well.

Anyways, I can't comment too extensivly on the book, I've only made it through a couple chapters.

So far this has got to be the best technical book I've ever read. Paul DuBois's writing style fit me perfect. I often have a hard time reading technical books. My mind starts to wonder and I lose track of the trail most tech books seem to lead you down.

With MySQL is was different. Everytime I started thinking about a "whatif" scenario Paul DuBois was there explaining the answer. It sort of startled me as I found my own logic following the books.

Too often I find myself struggling to keep up with some of the Orielly books. Most of thier books seem to already assume some level of proficiency with the topic on hand. I love they're books, I just have to read them a couple of times. Once to get an overview and once to put it all together.

So far I'm only a couple chapters deep in MySQL. I bought this book because it had some good reviews at Amazon (I bought it local) and I literaly had no experiences with databases. Withing this first couple chapters I find myself understanding the concept fairly good (IMO). Unless this book takes a drastic turn for the worse I can't imagine not getting my money's worth (I paid retail $59.95).

While I can't guarantee your train of thought will follow the authors like mine did. I still highly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in MySQL. Even if you have no experience with databases Paul makes it easy to start off and learn the basics.

LiNT

Re:Avoid New Riders...

Paul DuBois seems to be very active in MySQL circles and the book manuscript was reviewed by the primary developer of MySQL.

check out what the MySQL folx say about this book here [mysql.com]

Maybe in the past.....

and on other subjects but the mySQL book and the Linux firewalls book I purchase from new riders were excellent. I got the Linux Firewalls book for a reference when changing to ipchains. I'm a Systems Administrator and I have MANY O'Reilly books that are great. I would recomment AGAINST getting the O'Reilly mySQL book ( a friend of mine has both and I've taken a look at the O'Reilly book ) it does not cover as much information and the information it does cover is not done as well.
Anyone reading this should seriously consider this New Rider Title. Especially since xtal didn't read it and I did.
Gary

Re:Avoid New Riders...

I have copies of both O'Reilly's mSQL/MySQL book and the New Riders' MySQL book. Had I not acquired them in that order, I would have never purchased the former.

The latter is much more comprehensive than the first especially with regard to examples. I consider it the essential reference for MySQL while the O'Reilly book is more of an introduction to MySQL. My O'Reilly book is now a loaner for folks in my department who have a passing interest in MySQL, however, I keep a short leash on the New Riders' book because it is an indispensable resource.

insipid

One to Buy

I picked up the Oreilly book just after it came out last summer. It disappointed me. While I really enjoyed the "intro-to-databases" chapters in the ORA book, I thought that it was much more of a "here's how to program databases; by the way we are gonna talk about MySQL some." The coverage of database programming in many different languages was a defintie plus, though some chapters, notably rhe Java chapter, were really sparse (even if you don't count the missing Guestbook example!)

The problem with the ORA book was that it didn't get into MySQL enough. It certainly got me to a point where I could start doing good database programming, but it didn't accelerate me to being really good with MySQL.

The NewRiders book does just that. I picked it up last week and I just love it. It has a weak introduction to database design; if you don't know how to design a database, you'll want to pick up something else first. However, if you are already familiar with designing databases, this book simply shines.

The first section is simply marvelous. It does a good bit of hand holding, getting you used to using MySQL and its utilities. Chapter 3 is really good; it goes into detail about some of the MySQL language extensions, and how and why you use them. Chapter 4 is a plus also; while MySQL is already fast, optimization of your queries is important for any database application.

The second section is quite good also, giving an indepth review of how to program the engine with 3 popular languages. DuBois' treatment of C is refreshing; too often the old-standby language is ignored, with all the hype of the RAD/Web languages. However, the omission of Java and Python (as other /.ers have noted) is disappointing.

The third section is astonishing. FINALLY someone explained how to use the goofy user management scheme in MySQL! I also really enjoyed the mention of database administration, including the hows and whys of isamchk. DuBois points out a lot of subtle gotchas or hangups; a real plus to someone who has never administered anything like a RDMBS before.

All in all, this is a great book to buy. It gets you to understand just about everything there is to know about MySQL. The ORA book is good if you need reference for more languages and want a simple introduction to database design, but the NewRiders book can't be beat for breadth of topics and accuracy. Having Monty as the technical reviewer surely helped!

If you are currently programming MySQL, or are thinking about it, you will want this book. I know I'm glad I purchased it.