Computers Books

I have over 50+ Oracle books from the last 5 years and have also taken all of the Oracle 8i/9i DBA training courses at Oracle. I have to rank this book even though it covers Oracle 8i it still is applicable, after all 99.99% of customers and companies with Oracle are STILL on Oracle 8i and have not even touched 10G yet I would definitely get this book along with Practical Oracle 8i: Building Efficient Databases by Jonathan Lewis, Oracle One on One by Tom Kyte and Oracle 8i DBA Handbook then you can become a real Oracle guru. No other book covers such a wide range of topics on Oracle in the clear succint method that this author does. Now cant wait for an Oracle 10G title soon.

A very rare book which explains Oracle internals, more practical than academic. Advanced topics like latch contention etc are explained lucidly. This is the only book that explains hashing technique with a simple yet neat example.

This book is not just for those interested in leraning about the way in which an oracle database can be designed for being scalable, but also for those who want to learn about oracle architecture.
If you are about to build your first big oracle based application, the reading of this book will help you saving a great amount of time and money.

Excellent book that highlights the fundamental building blocks of any VLDB from all perspectives. Instead of dwelling on information that is already available in the manuals, it highlights all components for architecting a large system and is a definite read for anybody who wants to understand not only the oracle but all the building blocks that make it possible namely, OS, hardware and storage.

Now a days there are lot of Oracle books which confuses the readers with inaccurate information. But this book gives 100% accurate and pracical information. And James knows about the topics he is talking. Not that just cut and paste from Oracle documentation or some metalink notes.

Great book and I have already recommened to most of my friends.

Secrets of Computer Espionage: by Joel McNamara is a must for any PC user. Staffed with so many examples (with a conversational funny tone) the book does a really good job. The book stresses the vulnerabilities and threats, explains in details the evolution of spy tactics, network eavesdropping and provide countermeasures as well.

It's good to know what's around us and be in the know!

Recommend ****
Guzman, Dror

Judging from the title, Secrets of Computer Espionage: Tactics and Countermeasures would appear to be geared to governments, security agencies, or high-level corporations. In fact, as the author makes clear, anyone with an Internet connection is a potential target of online espionage-even by such "mundane" means as viruses, worms, and phishing attacks-and this book is addressed to that huge audience.

Just who is spying on whom? The author explains that the typical person might be a target of bosses, friends, family members, hackers, and many others. Even people with nothing confidential or of value on their computers risk getting caught up in espionage and other cyber capers. For instance, hackers can use their computers as vehicles for staging attacks or as a location for storing illicit files, such as child pornography. And as more cell phones and PDAs connect to the Internet, the risks multiply.

What may be disturbing to some readers is that every computer device and peripheral provides at least one avenue of attack. The author explains many of these schemes, such as keystroke loggers and cleartext file transfers via file transfer protocol (FTP). In addition, operating-system and application-level vulnerabilities constitute even more ways that systems can be compromised.

Despite the grim picture painted by the author, the book isn't intended to make readers paranoid, but rather to acquaint them with the many risks posed by the Internet. This excellent book shows that someone quite possibly is out to get you, but it provides the tools to protect yourself.

The "Secrets of Computer Espionage" by Joel McNamara unveils what every PC user should know before they hop on to the internet Bandwagon. If you can read this review, then you need to purchase this book. Cyber Crime is the number one precursor to identity theft and the simple thruth is -- Internet Security is YOUR responsibility.

Joel McNamara makes you walk a mile in the bad guys shoes, forcing you to see both sides of the story. You will learn the real threats behind internet worms (such as Sasser) and trojan horses (like MyDoom). Discover why Windows(tm) isn't safe and learn who's after your PII (Personally Identifiable Information).

View the world through the eyes of an internet private eye and see that everything really is an open book, it just depends on where you look. Let Joel be your guide. Buy the ticket, take the ride... then go to www.pcpitbull.com and see what's really inside.

Joel McNamara's book is one of the very, very, few books that I classify as a "Must Read" for anyone involved in business or technology. This book does an amazing job of avoiding the "paranoia for paranoia's sake" tone seen so often in computer security books while still taking the issues seriously and discussing them intellegently.

The conversational tone is fun and often quite funny while not making the user feel talked down to. And Mr. McNamara does an equally great job of explaining very complex topics in way that works for both extremely sophisticated computer technology professionals and non-techies alike. I've brought this book around for side-discussions in the seminars I've given since it came out and my students, ranging from small business owners to 30+ year professional tech veterans in Fortune 50s have learned new and important lessons from it. For a book to address all these audiences is rare. For a book to succeed and be invaluable for all of them is virtually unheard of. This book succeeds amazingly well.

I've not only read the book through in one sitting, I keep referring back to it and it's incredibly useful web site on a regular basis.

Joel, thank you for writing one of the key books of the year!

You and your computer face a dizzying array of security threats, writes tech consultant Joel McNamara. Competitors, cops, crooks and even disgruntled kin would love a peek at your hard drive. But don't hyperventilate just yet. If you calmly analyze the desirability and vulnerability of your secrets, you can figure out how to protect yourself. McNamara's prose is surprisingly clear given the degree of difficulty of his topic, and he offers a number of useful sidebars, charts and examples from inside the tech business to juice up his instructional tome. We suggest this practical book to managers charged with protecting corporate data, and to people who are unsure just how safe their computers are.

The first book by Gina Lynn, SexRev 2.0 is an amazing look at the many possibilities of sexuality with the tools of the modern world. Her prose style is very easy to read. Her writing is to the point and direct, as is her attitude toward sex and relationships. This book is a very good introduction to the new technology of this century, and how it can be used to enhance your love life. After reading Gina's column for some time, it is nice to hear her 'voice' in a longer narrative context. I love the fact that you can look at her writing and say to yourself "I know she is speaking from experience."

Regina Lynn's book starts with an interesting and believable thesis ... that a new technology (the internet) has caused as much of a change in contemporary sexual patterns and practices as another new technology (the pill and other means of effective birth control) did a generation earlier.

As the Sex/Tech editor for Wired Magazine (in itself a respected distribution point for information about things new and technical), Ms. Lynn is in an almost unique position to keep up with the latest in this field. She brings much of this expertise to bear in this book.

With chapters dealing with everything from meeting people on line to women's access to pornography, she covers many aspects of the intersection of these two domains ... one ancient and one as modern as can be. Computers make possible powerful searches, which can bring people "together" who probably never could have met by chance in an earlier era. And women who would rather die than get caught sneaking down to Sam's Smut Shack to buy a dirty book from some pimply-faced clerk who went to school with their son can (and, the evidence suggests, do) go on line and download reading and viewing materials that suit their intersts.

She goes on to deal with things like sex toys, breaking up in the internet age, and a whole host of other issues.

But in the end, the end is (as Ms. Lynn says, optimistically, at the end of her book) much the same as the beginning:

"The future of sex is just that: sex, only better.
"Dig it."

There is no doubt that sex and tech are forever linked in our world and Regina Lynn's Sex Rev 2.0 is an entertaining, educational, and provocatively personal account of where these two fundamental forces in our lives currently stand. Regina does a marvelous job guiding the reader through the complexities, not only explaining the technology involved, but also the do's and don'ts to bring this material into your real life in a positive, healthy, and exciting way! In these times of extreme sexual oppression in this country, Regina should be recognized as sexual freedom fighter. I can't wait to see what version 3.0 has in store for us.

A smart savy guide to life love aqnd the internet. This is the real sex and web. It is both inteligent and entertaining and , well written . It's an easy guide to usiing texh to best advantage in social setting.. When left on a table necver fails to ignite conversation.

Regina Lynn does what so few manage to do: explain the basics about online sexuality without throwing her readers into a panic. Lynn provides a landscape of some of the ways that the Internet can *enhance* one's sexuality and sex life while most other books instill fear about this phenomenon in the average person. Sure, people become addicted to cybersex; people also become addicted to Twinkies. But most people are able to eat their Hostess products in moderation. And most people who choose to engage in online sexual activities -- or at least explore their options -- will do so to improve an in-person relationship, or use it to explore an aspect of their sexual identity they want to "try on" in a safer environment. Lynn writes with the notion that most people are simply curious about sex and the Internet as she paves the way for people to learn how the virtual world can improve their romances ans sex lives in the physical one. And she educates with compassion, humor, and savvy.

It is a very thorough and well written book. Authors have introduced idea of perspectives (viewpoints related to cross-cutting concerns) and I totally agree with authors on benefits of using perspectives rather than treating them as viewpoints. My AD of new project is based on viewpoints and perspectives separation suggested by authors.

If you are a software architect or aspire to be one, you should read this book. Rozanski and Woods do an excellent job of explaining the whys and hows of creating software architectures. Their pragmatic, no-nonsense approach makes this book extremely readable. The book is divided into two main sections: an explanation of the viewpoints and perspectives concepts (208 pages) and a catalog of viewpoints and perspectives (195 pages). This makes the book a relatively quick read, but also very useful as a day-to-day reference. If only every software architect would read this book, we might not have as many software quality issues as we have today!

This is a really great book. Rozanski and Woods bring together in one text the information that is most important to know about software architecture. It is not filled with opinion but is based on research and ideas that have been proven in practice and that are widely accepted in the field. The ideas are straighforward and presented clearly and concisely. As a practicing software architect, author and professor on the subject, this is my recommendation as the first book on software architecture you should purchase for your collection.

I was impressed with this book's unique perspective of blending the business and technical needs into a single focus, and it continued to maintain the human considerations. It does an excellent job of describing how to support business decisions through architecture at a macro level in a style where "the rubber hits the road."

If you are a systems analyst or a software development manager, this shouldn't be on your book shelf - it should be on your desk for regular reference.

The authors give the reader detailed and useful suggestions about designing a software system. It should be made clear that this is not a programming book. Coding particulars are at a finer level outside the book's scope.

The book is addressed to the software architect. Which can be rather a vague job role. One merit of the book is that it can be used to define what a software architect does. While the authors might not claim to encompass everything in your job description, perhaps what is given here is your core responsibility.

So the text shows how to identify and use scenarios, to build sets of scenarios. And yet be able to construct inherently different scenarios. A vital feature of making the scenarios is how it involves the stakeholders very early in the design. Vital in preventing misunderstandings about undesigned or unneeded functionalities, before they get built into the system.

Then, given a system, the text explains how to document it using UML. The latter is extremely useful. Both for programmers who might have to design to it, and for the stakeholders. The visual nature of UML helps make it understandable to both parties.

This book wasn't at all what I thought it would be, but I loved it. I finished it within a day.

Don't buy this book if you are expecting someone to tell you the steps involved in making an RPG. There are many better books for that. S&C doesn't tell you how to make a game. It tells you how to THINK when making a game. It also goes quite in-depth about what it's like to be in the role of a game designer.

So the two scenarios in which this book would be most useful are:

1. You have a game already designed in your head and just want to make it more fun or more professional.

2. You are considering whether you want to become a game designer as a career.

If you fit one of these two, buy this book right away. If not, it might still be worth a look. It's interesting, well-written, and you may just learn a thing or two.

First and foremost I have to say this book is very well written and easy to read. The only real mistakes I noticed were with release dates on some of the games in a timeline.

The concepts covered in this book will help not only individuals trying their hand at designing RPGs, but other games as well. The information is also presented in an interesting and entertaining way to keep the reader doing just that, reading.

Having recently entered the video game industry, I would recommend this book to anyone seeking to get a start in the industy or anyone just curious about game design in general.

I really don't know where to begin in thoroughly recommending this book. If you have any interest in designing RPG games (or any game at all, for that matter) this is the best book for your bank. Neal Hallford lays it all right out in front. From story design to gameplay mechanics to writing your pitch documents, this book will show you the most important stages of game development. More importantly, this book is down to earth and easily digestible. The chapters and subsections were written in a very clear and concise manner. I've seen other game design books that failed to educate or even entertain.

Neal Hallford writes this book not only from the point of view of a veteran game designer (Betrayal at Krondor, Dungeon Siege, and others), but also from the point of view of a GAMER. It is from that point of view that really makes this title stand out. You can tell how much he enjoys his work, and his excitement for the focus medium (RPGs) is infectious as you read. He really helps you to craft a world in your own mind (and helps you think `outside of the box' as you design). Each chapter is complete with a handful of exercises to help the budding game designer expand the way in which they think about games

This title is also rife with interesting tidbits and trivia about past games and game development. Neal Hallford never forgets that, even though this is a billion-dollars-a-year industry, we make GAMES. Even though the process should be taken seriously, you should work very hard at both doing it well, and having fun while you do it. The process itself is, in fact, one of the strongest aspects of this title. Neal takes you through every step of the process including writing your design document (the game designer's bible, as it were). He points out critical features, and common oversights. Again, he does all of this in a way that is very easy to understand.

Finally, the appendix to this title is a treasure trove itself. Included in the back of the book are interviews with some of the top game developers in the business. And while many other books have included `fluff' interviews with game designers, this book actually focuses on the critical topic: game design. You learn about how different game designers work, how they approach certain problems, and where they get their inspiration. In addition to these interviews, you can also find sample design documents, descriptions of levels, and charts for gameplay mechanics.

I don't recommend this book. I demand that you buy it. If you have even a passing interest in game design, this book was written for you. Professionals should own it. This is even a great resource for mod authors who are looking for help in creating their own worlds within other game titles. You won't be sorry.

Neal and Jana Hallford, Swords and Circuitry (Prima, 2001)

A word to prospective buyers: Swords and Circuitry is not a book about coding games. If that's what you're looking for, Prima has a number of other titles you can go to. This one's about designing games, and there's nary a line of code to be found.

Okay, now that that's out of the way, this book does have a lot to offer both for those who plan to specialize in game design and those who are running (or trying to run) one-man shops. The Hallfords offer a good deal of advice regarding the whole process of game design, from defining what it is (and having others interviewed by Neal Hallford do so as well) to details of design documents, proposals, etc. The benefits for the aspiring game designer are obvious; to the one-man shop, reading this may help clarify some things that will help when programming time comes, or shed a different light on things that may not have been thought of in quite that way. Definitely worth checking out, but know what you're getting. *** ½

This book provides a clear outlook of how to design an RPG though I wish there was a reference book to go with it. It even could be used as a text book for a class. It does everything it says. Includes other designers perspectives to broaden your perspective on design including designers from Might & Magic, Neverwinter, Star-Trek, and a few others.

Tales From the Networking Community provides a pragmatic, common sense approach to the art,and skill,of effective networking. Using anaologies, stories and "tales" Dan Williams does a very good job of laying out the basic concepts required to develop and leverage business relationships. A good,quick read!

This book shows readers the importance of establishing a business relationship with other business owners and promoting another business. How better can we live our lives in "Faith, Hope, and Charity" than by promoting a friend's business. A referral for another comes back to you one-hundred fold. This book is a must read for every Home-Based-Business or regular business owner that wishes to make money in the marketplace. Thanks, Dan for showing us the way. Read the book and succeed!

What a terrific job Dan Williams has done to create an essential guide for doing business in the 21st Century. Williams' understanding of the importance of relationship building and networking in today's marketplace is right on target.
For anyone interested in building a successful and enduring business, this little ditty is a must read.

Any person serious about networking in the business world must read this book and memorize certain passages. There is no reason to re-invent networking when you have this book in hand. Thanks to Dan for a marketing masterpiece written for the layman. Everything I ever learned about networking is covered and placed in proper perspective in this powerful book.

Business professionals would do well to read this insightful and helpful look into business networking from an author with extensive experience both here in the Washington DC market and in other states as well.

Dan provides an easy read that draws the reader into real life experiences noted first hand from a thought leader of networking.

Jeff Arnette, Professional Networkers Alliance, Chair

I found this book very detailed, especially on Ch3 which will basically take you by the hand and explain slowly how subnetting and subnet masks work. In addition, The author will summarize after all the facts that were presented and use a real-life experience to help you understand. Very good book.

While this book alone will not help you pass the TCP/IP exam, I still recommend it whole-heartedly for understanding the material on the exam. This book provides a truly rich, no-nonsense, brief, but detailed explanation of the subject. I suggest supplementing this book with a practice exam (Transcenders, or Measureup.com). That should be all that you need. One thing for sure is that you WILL understand subnetting by the time you read through this book. It sure beats reading those 700 page door stomps, in my humble opinion.

Study Guide? -I'm not so sure; The book doesn't ha ve a Glossary, or questions at the end of each chapter. For anyone wanting to understand subnetting, the author has devoted no less than 70 pages toward this subject(Chap. 3). The author has a clear and concise writng style, for easy transition from "page to brain". But I will still give it 5 stars!

The title of this book is misleading, you cannot and WILL not pass Exam 70-059 by studing this book alone. That's the bad part...

What you'll get though, is an astonishing detailed, accurate, and REAL world examples of how TCP/IP and Subnetting/Mask truly work. How many books have you read but only to be disappointed by lack of Subnet/Mask explaination?

I personally have read through more than a dozens of them but NONE can really explain TCP/IP, They CLAIM they know -- BUT where are the explaination and notes? Two pages? Get real! None comes EVEN CLOSE to this book. Some of the books just explain the "concepts" rather than any real world knowledge how it actually works.

For the first time in my life, I TRULY understand how TCP/IP, Subnetting, Subnet Masks, and Router all work together, Dave Kinnaman deserves the highest recoginition for his work. You've earned my respect for life. Please keep up the excellent work.

Even though the TCP/IP exam is being retired, this book is a classic that should be republished. (Maybe with a new name --"Everything You Need to Know about TCP/IP".) I used this book while setting up a network with two subnets. It has real-world advice, not just exam-cram factoids. My copy is dog-eared, highlighted, and well-used.

Subnetting is not easy to learn. Read and re-read Chapter 4, "Subnets and Subnetting." It is the heart of this book, and an excellent tutorial. If you're having trouble getting a handle on subnetting, this book is for you.

As a christian, computer programmer, having a family and enjoying all things tech, including having a home automation system with interactive voice, I identified with Ethan Hamilton and Jefferson Scott immediately became my favorite author. And I love rpg gaming, as does my oldest son who's 5. I encourage Mr. Scott to pursue kludge wholeheartedly!! I was sad (am still) when years had passed and no new books were written regarding Ethan Hamilton, thus I reread the trilogy once a year or so. Highest praise for Jefferson Scott!

Jefferson Scott's techno-thriller trilogy is a great series, one which I would recommend to anyone. It is set in the near future, and is very inventive. The books are Christian in nature, but are not overly "preachy." An interesting aspect brought out in all three is the balance which can be found between faith with science. Most Christian books I have read are seriously lacking in depth. In some cases, they're downright "hokey." Not these books, though. They are well-written, they have good story lines, and they'll keep you turning pages until the end. And once you've read the last page, you'll be eager to get the next book in the series

I think I'll forever be partial to Terminal Logic because it was the first of the three that I read. The plot is just as tight as the first book in the series, and (wonder of wonders) a fair amount of time has passed...giving the changes in scenery and character more credence.

Jefferson Scott tackles the problem of artificial intelligence nicely in this book. Ethan Hamilton and his family are back, along with Special Agent Mike Gillette, and a few other secondary characters from Virtu@lly Eliminated. There is a murderous avatar out on Globenet...bots are escaping into cyberspace...and out of their gameworlds. Only mahem can follow.

There is no shortage of action and movement, that's for sure. And during it all, the grace of God shines through. I've heard it said that the cover art for Terminal Logic is uninspired...well please, don't judge the book by its cover (even though I happen to _like_ the cover :) ; you'd be missing a treasure.

This Technological Thriller is perhaps one of the best books I have yet read. Its fast-paced action in the not too distant future of computers and over-the-internet murders and harassment, along with Jefferson Scott's wonderful story-telling make this a book that I could not put down. This is undoubtedly a wonderful book, by one of the greatest up and coming authors. My advice to you: buy it. If you like a good story, with plenty to think about, great characters along with your action, you won't be dissapointed.

When I began reading this book, primarily to sample the genre, I expected to become bogged down in technical details. What I didn't expect was that after the first couple of pages, I would be unable to stop until I had followed Ethan Hamilton and his family through a real crisis created in a virtual world.

The writing is crisp and refreshing, seasoned neatly with subtle humor. Never preachy, the Christian message shines through with clarity.

This was my first Jefferson Scott book. I look forward to reading the other two in the series.

I'm sad I waited so long to read this excellent book. "Troubleshooting Campus Networks" (TCN) was published in Jul 2002, and it belongs on every network administrator's shelf -- now! This is the best networking book since Scott Haugdahl's "Network Analysis and Troubleshooting" and Eric Hall's "Internet Core Protocols." TCN will truly test your networking knowledge; you'll quickly validate the truth and discard the fiction.

So many books discuss networks, but somehow distort subtle points. Authors Oppenheimer and Bardwell know their material inside-out and explain key points in clear, concise prose. Ever hear of the "37% utilization rule for Ethernet?" It's false. Think that TCP sequence numbers count packets? Wrong -- they count bytes of data. And why are sequence numbers seemingly "off by one?" Look at the difference between ordinal and cardinal numbers, described in ch. 9.

TCN displays an uncanny ability to include just the information that is needed. "Reversible half-ASCII," which accounts for odd-looking NetBIOS traces, appears in ch. 12. The sections on Windows networking are first-rate, with helpful comparisons of NetBIOS with IPX, TCP, and NetBEUI. Even theoretical but damaging attack methods, like corrupting Hot Standby Router Protocol messages (ch. 8), are illuminated.

I have two complaints. I would have liked more attention paid to the mechanics of analyzing traffic, including the use of taps. Also, the Windows chapter seemed to end abruptly, just when the dynamics of Windows 2000 networking and port 445 should have appeared.

TCN is designed to educate protocol analysts. People with this skill set can administer LANs, analyzer network-based IDS traffic, and deploy network infrastructure. I thank the authors for their efforts and look forward to their next endeavor.

I have had this book for about 10 days. It is excellent, destined to become a bestseller in its category. But this will not be surprising because Oppenheimer's previous book has received a stamp of approval in its category (Top Down Network Design, Cisco Press, ISBN: 1578700698). For those privileged to have Top Down Network Design, we know what I am talking about: a self-contained book that delivers beyond a Cisco Certification test.

It is in this very light that I rate Troubleshooting Campus Networks: it is a an extremely valuable reference book for network administrators, but it will also help you pass the Cisco CCNP Support exam.

Briefly going through the contents, Chapter 1 describes the book itself and its audience. Chapter 2 details formal network troubleshooting methods, including the Cisco Troubleshooting Method, protocol analysis, network traffic types and the various troubleshooting tools. Above all, it emphasizes the importance of proactive network management.

Chapter 3 provides in-depth knowledge on troubleshooting and Analyzing Ethernet Networks. And Chapter 4 will be even more appreciated: about 55 pages dedicated to troubleshooting and analyzing IEEE 802.11 Wireless Networks. This chapter alone will be of great assistance to those preparing for Certified Wireless Network Administrator (CWNA) from Planet3 Wireless, Inc. It provides an excellent introduction for those who want to know what Wireless LANs are all about.

Chapters 5 and 6 provide indepth knowledge on troubleshooting and analyzing the Spanning Tree Protocol and Virtual LANs respectively. Chapters 7 and 8 do the same for Campus IP Networks and Campus IP Routing Protocols.

What I have found to be of equally great value is Chapter 9, detailing TCP, UDP, and Upper Layer protocols' troubleshooting and analysis. Here, one would find the answers to the questions he may have had about HTTP, FTP, SMPT protocol analysis and the like.

Chapters 10, 11, 12 and 13, respectively provide the skills needed for troubleshooting and analyzing Campus IPX Networks, AppleTalk Networks, Windows Networking and Wide Area Networks.

In all, this is a powerful tool from which you will not only find the answers to day-to-day networking issues, but will also empower you to become a better network administrator.

If you are in network administration, a networking professional generally or preparing for Cisco CCNP Support exam, this is the book!

Good book for anyone who is having problems with their networks. Author makes things easily understandable and the book is a great reference.

Many books have I read where authors speak of Ethernet or TCP/IP or other subjects. This book fills in the gaps without being too vendor biased. Cisco and WildPackets are excellent companies, but the book really focuses on enhancing your network to it's fullest. I learned that just because my network "works", there may be many things ready to break that had not been troubleshot before. Now I really feel able to properly "fix" my troubles and not just make my network magically work when there is trouble behind the scenes waiting for a Friday night to break.
The two authors have been in the industry since it's inception and bring a passion for networking to the table with a focus on teaching those of us who do not have 20+ years in the trenches.
This book is not only a reference book, but a well written, easy to read explanation of networking and troubleshooting. With real-life scenarios from the authors and practical situations played out. I felt as though I had a mentor walking me through the logical steps of analysis.
Buy reference books and keep them on your selves for when you need them. Buy this book, read it and keep it close because you will need it!

My overall impression was that this is a great book. I felt that the first chapter was unnecessary detail, and sort of seemed like chest thumping to me. I find this book to be an excellent reference about just about all aspects of LAN communications. I was not impressed with the WAN protocols however. I sort of expected more of that, as you might find in a Campus network. I keep this book handy, and often find myself using it as a reference when I am unsure of a conclusion I have drawn. I recommend this book to anyone looking for reference material.

I repeat, this book saved my job. I'm now in DBA training

I've owned this book for only 48 hours and have read it from cover to cover and I am starting with it all over again!

The Author covers ANSI SQL clearly and in-depth with good examples!

I would recommend this for anyone who wants to learn SQL and have an accurate reference.

It's for beginner to advanced SQL folks!

As a professional Visual Basic, SQL, and Pascal developer, I really needed a reference manual like this one! You know, for those times when you're in the middle of writing some SQL code and ask yourself a question like: "Now how do I format that 'Select' statement?"

I've tried a couple of the "SQL For Dummies" books and returned each of them! I really did not think that a book like this existed, but here it is!

Get this book!

I'm a newbie to SQL, and borrowed a copy of this book from a coworker a few weeks ago. I was hooked from chapter 1. I'm already creating and dropping tables and manipulating data, and understanding everything! This book is wonderful, and I urge anyone who wants a good solid understanding of SQL to get a copy and just sit down and start reading. The examples are easy to follow but not patronizingly so, and there are short quizzes at the end of each chapter to reinforce the main concepts. This is going to be an invaluable resource for me as I continue down this path. Five stars aren't enough!

As a full-time student, I was after a book to compliment course notes that I recieve and get a better understanding of more advanced SQL. The other customer reviews swayed my decision to choose this book and it was everything and more than I expected. Keep those reviews coming.

This book offers the basics to the first part of advanced. It is great in that all of the explinations are followed by many examples on a working database (downloadable). It is quite an amazing and very much worth while book for both reference and beginning SQL