relational databases

I like the tool coverage in this MySQL book -- it covers a lot of features which I haven't read about elsewhere, and appears to focus on practical solutions. Based on the three weeks I have been referring to this book, I would say it is the best MySQL book available.

Since it ostensibly covers version 4, the author should have covered secure socket connections in greater detail and given examples of its use. I would also have liked to see references to the text in the otherwise valuable appendix B. Overall, it seems very free of fluff and the examples seem to focus on the case in point.

Excellent book.

While I am not new to databases, I am new to mysql and always spend the most time learning new syntax, processes and "features". The MySQL manual is very clear but left some questions unanswered for me. Mastering MySQL left me with no such gaps, and the numerous in-depth examples (including output) in this book help clarify commands and proper syntax. The book covers everything from installation to administration and includes syntax and function/operator references. These references are clearly detailed and contain a generous number of examples as well.

The book is written from a hands-on point of view which is how I learn best. One very nice aspect of the book is that it provides information for Windows and UNIX environments as opposed to focusing on one or the other.

There are very handy sections on several of the programming APIs, including PHP, Perl, Python, Java, C, ODBC and .NET.

Database beginners will find the sections on Understanding Relational Databases, Database Normalization and Database Design very helpful in understanding database terminology and functionality.

Finally, there is a very detailed index in the back of the book - I really dislike not being able to locate a topic in an index, especially when I know I read it somewhere in the book.

This is a very good overall book for the MySQL database and I'd recommend it to anyone looking to learn about MySQL.