Preface

Since its first incarnation in the 1970s, the Structured Query Language (SQL) has been developed hand in hand with the information boom, and as a result, is the most widely used database manipulation language in business and industry. A number of different software companies and program developers, including those in the open source movement, have concurrently developed their own SQL dialects in response to specific professional needs. All the while, standards bodies have developed a growing list of common features.

SQL in a Nutshell, Second Edition, describes the latest ANSI standard, SQL2003, version of each SQL command, and then documents each platform's implementation of that command. In this book, you will find a concise explanation of the Relational Database Management System (RDBMS) model, a clear-cut explanation of foundational RDBMS concepts, and thorough coverage of SQL syntax and commands.

Most importantly, at least if you're a programmer or developer, is that SQL in a Nutshell, Second Edition, provides a concise guide both to the most popular commercial database packages on the market (Microsoft SQL Server, IBM's DB2 Universal Database, Sybase Adaptive Server, and Oracle), and to two of the best-known open source (http://www.opensource.org) database products (MySQL and PostgreSQL). SQL in a Nutshell's attention to open source SQL platforms is an affirmation of the growing importance of the open source movement within the computing community.

The database platforms covered in this book include:

• IBM DB2 UDB Version 8.0 for Linux, Unix, and Windows

• MySQL Version 4

• Oracle Database 10g

• PostgreSQL Version 7.0

• Microsoft SQL Server 2000

• Sybase Adaptive Server Version 12.5