SQL Clearly Explained

Although the core of the SQL language remains relatively unchanged, the most recent release of the SQL standard (SQL:2008) includes two sets of extensions: 1) support for object-relational databases and 2) support for XML. The second edition of this book included some material about the object-relational extensions. However, that set of commands has been greatly extended and the new edition takes that into account. The XML extensions are entirely new to the third edition. A chapter on basic relational concepts will be also added to broaden the audience and make the book more complete in its own right.

All of the chapters will be revised to be sure they are up to date. Chapter 10 ("Views, Temporary Tables, and Indexes") from the second edition will be expanded to include common table expression (CTEs). The material in the existing Chapter 14 ("Unimplemented SQL-92 Features 251") will be disbursed through the chapters where the particular type of operation is discussed. While the content throughout will be updated where necessary, the existing organizational structure through chapter 14 will remain largely intact because this coverage represents the stable portion of the SQL language.

There will be two NEW chapters at the beginning of the book. Chapter 1 ("The Relational Data Model") covers the relational data model conceptual material; Chapter 2 ("Manipulating Relations with Relational Algebra") covers the relational algebra material that will be pulled from the retrieval chapters. Part 5 ("Non-relational SQL Extensions") will now include the non-relational SQL extensions in three chapters. Chapter 17 (NEW) will cover XML. Chapter 18 will contain the object-relational conceptual material from the original chapter 15 and chapter 19 (NEW) will cover SQL object-relational support. (Some of chapter 19 will come from the second edition, however, a great deal of object-relational support has been added to the current standard and therefore needs to be added.) The other NEW chapter is Chapter 14, which covers triggers and stored procedures. This material was missing from previous editions. Many readers should find it a useful addition.

• Demonstrates how to formulate SQL queries and how queries are processed to maximize performance of the database management system






• Explains use of SQL to enter, modify or delete data to maintain database structural elements








• Covers in great detail new SQL application for XML to meet the growing XML usage in development of online content

Chapter 1: The relational data model

Chapter 2: Manipulating relations with relational algebra

Chapter 3: Introduction to SQL

Chapter 4: Simple SQL retrieval

Chapter 5: Retrieving data from more than one table

Chapter 6: Advanced retrieval operations

Chapter 7: Calculations and grouping queries

Chapter 8: Data Modifications

Chapter 9: Schemas and tables

Chapter 10: Views, temporary tables, CTEs and indexes

Chapter 11: Keeping the design up to date

Chapter 12: Users and access rights

Chapter 13: Users, sessions, and transaction manipulation

Chapter 14: Triggers and stored procedures

Chapter 15: Embedded SQL

Chapter 16; Dynamic SQL

Chapter 17: XML support

Chapter 18: The object-relational data model

Chapter 19: Object-relational support