Written in a step-by-step format, this practical guide covers methods that can be used with any database, including Microsoft Access, MySQL, Microsoft SQL Server, and Oracle. You'll learn about relational database components, database queries, SQL, the database life cycle, logical database design using normalization, and physical database design. Data and process modeling, database security, Online Analytical Processing (OLAP), and XML are also covered. Detailed examples and concise explanations make it easy to understand the material, and end-of-chapter quizzes and a final exam help reinforce learning.

This fourth edition is updated to include SQL Notebooks as well as up-to-date syntax and features for T-SQL on-premises and in the Azure cloud. Exercises and examples now include the WideWorldImporters database, the newest sample database from Microsoft for SQL Server. Also new in this edition is coverage of JSON from T-SQL, news about performance enhancements called Intelligent Query Processing, and an appendix on running SQL Server in a container on macOS or Linux.

Step by step, Viescas guides you through creating reliable queries for virtually any current SQL-based database. He demystifies all aspects of SQL query writing, from simple data selection and filtering to joining multiple tables and modifying sets of data.

Building on the basics, Viescas shows how to solve challenging real-world problems, including applying multiple complex conditions on one table, performing sophisticated logical evaluations, and using unlinked tables to think “outside the box.”

Please read:
Chapter 1: Database Fundamentals
Chapter 2: Exploring Relational Database Components
Chapter 5: The Database Life Cycle

This fourth edition is updated to include SQL Notebooks as well as up-to-date syntax and features for T-SQL on-premises and in the Azure cloud. Exercises and examples now include the WideWorldImporters database, the newest sample database from Microsoft for SQL Server. Also new in this edition is coverage of JSON from T-SQL, news about performance enhancements called Intelligent Query Processing, and an appendix on running SQL Server in a container on macOS or Linux.

Please read:
Chapter 2: Exploring Relational Database Components
Chapter 7: Data and Process Modeling

Please read:
Chapter 6: Logical Database Design Using Normalization
Chapter 7: Data and Process Modeling

Please read:
Chapter 7: Data and Process Modeling
Chapter 8: Physical Database Design

Please read Appendix B: Using SSMS

Please read Chapter 10: Manipulating Data

Please read:
Chapter 15: Updating Sets of Data
Chapter 16: Inserting Sets of Data
Chapter 17: Deleting Sets of Data

Please read:
Chapter 3: Writing Simple SELECT Queries
Chapter 9: Advanced WHERE Clauses

Please read:
Chapter 4: Creating a Simple Query
Chapter 6: Filtering Your Data

Please read:
Chapter 4: Using Built-in Functions and Expressions
Chapter 7: Grouping and Summarizing Data

Please read:
Chapter 12: Simple Totals
Chapter 13: Grouping Data

Please read Chapter 5: Joining Tables

Please read:
Chapter 7: Thinking in Sets
Chapter 8: INNER JOINs
Chapter 9: OUTER JOINs

Please read Chapter 6: Building on Subqueries, Common Table Expressions, and Unions

Please read:
Chapter 10: UNIONs
Chapter 11: Subqueries

Please read Chapter 6: Building on Subqueries, Common Table Expressions, and Unions