Head First SQL

Databases are essential nowadays to create dynamic web sites both internally and for commercial purposes. Taking a database course is a must for any Computer Science undergrad and Head First SQL is a great place to start to learn the basics. Usually, the recommended book for a typical undergrad Database course will be as big as a phone book and boring to read. Head First SQL does a great job to teach the complete beginner the how to perform queries with fun examples.

After using SQL for the last few years, I have skimmed through a lot of the chapters but I really enjoy the one on table normalization. Writing fast queries is great but ensuring that the tables are properly normalized will make your life easier.

Is this book for you?

1. Beginner: If you plan to take a Database course next term, study this book 2 weeks before school start. You will be able to breeze through assignments quickly.
   
2. Intermediate: It s a good refresher if you have not done some SQL in a while.
   
3. Advance: You might want to skip this book.