The Definitive Guide to Using, Programming, and Administering MySQL 5.0 and 5.1

 

MySQL is an open source relational database management system that has experienced a phenomenal growth in popularity and use. Known for its speed and ease of use, MySQL has proven itself to be particularly well-suited for developing database-backed websites and applications.

 

In MySQL, Paul DuBois provides a comprehensive guide to using and administering MySQL effectively and productively. He describes everything from the basics of getting information into a database and formulating queries, to using MySQL with PHP or Perl to generate dynamic web pages, to writing your own programs that access MySQL databases, to administering MySQL servers.

 

The fourth edition of this bestselling book has been meticulously revised and updated to thoroughly cover the latest features and capabilities of MySQL 5.0, as well as to add new coverage of features introduced with MySQL 5.1.

 

“One of the best technical books I have read on any subject.”

–Gregory Haley, C Vu, The Association of C & C++ Users

 

“A top-notch user’s guide and reference manual, and in my opinion, the only book you’ll need for the daily operation and maintenance of MySQL databases.”

–Eugene Kim, Web Techniques

 

Introduction 1

 

Part I: General MySQL Use

Chapter 1: Getting Started with MySQL 13

Chapter 2: Using SQL to Manage Data 101

Chapter 3: Data Types 201

Chapter 4: Stored Programs 289

Chapter 5: Query Optimization 303

 

Part II: Using MySQL Programming Interfaces

Chapter 6: Introduction to MySQL Programming 341

Chapter 7: Writing MySQL Programs Using C 359

Chapter 8: Writing MySQL Programs Using Perl DBI 435

Chapter 9: Writing MySQL Programs Using PHP 527

 

Part III: MySQL Administration

Chapter 10: Introduction to MySQL Administration 579

Chapter 11: The MySQL Data Directory 585

Chapter 12: General MySQL Administration 609

Chapter 13: Access Control and Security 699

Chapter 14: Database Maintenance, Backups, and Replication 737

 

Part IV: Appendixes

Appendix A: Obtaining and Installing Software 777

Appendix B: Data Type Reference 797

Appendix C: Operator and Function Reference 813

Appendix D: System, Status, and User Variable Reference 889

Appendix E: SQL Syntax Reference 937

Appendix F: MySQL Program Reference 1037

 

Note: Appendixes G, H, and I are located online and are accessible either by registering this book at informit.com/register or by visiting www.kitebird.com/mysql-book.

Appendix G: C API Reference 1121

Appendix H: Perl DBI API Reference 1177

Appendix I: PHP API Reference 1207

 

Index 1225

 

Average Customer Review: ( 40 customer reviews )
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That said, the majority of the book is written in a well explained fashion, even the reference part at the end has lengthy explanations, so you will always find what you need. The reference section would be the ideal place to look at for type info, function parameters, etc. if the book would not be that heavy, but the precise explanations would not be possible otherwise.

This book tries to be everything for everybody, which is hard to accomplish. The first section provides an introduction to SQL, but there is also significant info for system administrators and a huge amount of pages on programming with C, Perl and PHP in connection with MySQL. If you are a beginner, and you are not interested in having your own server, or writing C programs, then this book might not be the best choice. However, if you would like to have a broad overview with details wherever you need, this book is advisable.

20 of 22 found the following review helpful:

Great as a reference / advanced textAug 23, 2004
By A. justo Perez
I was already developing mysql & php sites and apps when i purchased this book, so it was a good buy as a reference text, but if you intent to learn Mysql, there are better books than this one.

It is deep, slow to read, with rather small text size. For the beginner, i think it's not a good starter. But on the other hand it has almost everything you would want to know about Mysql, with lots of examples and quite well explained.

I learned Mysql and PHP from Sam's "Php and Mysql web development", and i couldn't recommend that one enough. It's a GREAT text for the beginner. I found myself writing Php/Mysql web sites in less than 3 months, starting from nothing.

14 of 15 found the following review helpful:

Outstanding organization and lucid proseJul 11, 2003

I had little experience with database creation and maintenance prior to my current project. In fact, I had been putting off getting involved in any database projects for fear of the learning curve. I'm midway through the project now, and DuBois' guide has been indespensible throughout.

Highlights:
* chapter organization -- starts with a tutorial on basic usage of MySql, and relegates installation guidance to an appendix. Too often such texts mix usage and administation in a chaotic jumble.
* comprehensive index -- I've yet to fail in finding a topic at the first entry I've searched.
* appendices (MySQL operators and datatypes, SQL, C and Perl api references) -- due to the size of this volume, these handy reference sections can be hard to thumb to, unless you glue in some post-its like I did, but they're worth finding for quick, clear descriptions of total Mysql usage.
* prose -- Terse (despite the volumes' 1200 pages), clear, and well-organized.
* author's background -- DuBois' close involvment in the ongoing efforts of the MySql project have given him a vast knowledge of the arcane differences in versions and operating systems as well as upcoming features. The 2nd edition is very uptodate at of mid-summer 2003.

MySql, BTW, has not disappointed.

13 of 15 found the following review helpful:

Truly outstanding bookSep 26, 2003

Recently I had to write a mysql demo for a tradshow. I had
never worked with mySQL before. I got this book and was
able to complete a full fledged demo in a matter of three
days, working part time. The book is very well organized,
easy to read and understand and best of all the examples
work without modifications. I highly recommend this book
for beginners. I would have done so for all levels but
I'm not an advanced user of mySQL.

If you're thinking of getting started on mySQL this is the
book.

10 of 11 found the following review helpful:

The most comprehensive reference to MySQL usage, administration, and programming currently available.Feb 08, 2006
By Michael Hillyer
If someone approached me and asked `Mike, I want to learn MySQL ad I can only afford one book, which one would you recommend?', I would have to answer MySQL by Paul DuBois.

I actually owe my involvement with MySQL and my current employment to this book. When I was taking an Oracle course in University I found a copy of the first edition of this book in a bookstore at a discount and picked it up in the hopes that since it referred to SQL on the cover it might help me with my studies. While the book did teach me a good deal about SQL, it also taught me about MySQL, an RDBMS I would use exclusively as soon as the Oracle course was over with.

At more than 1200 pages, this is certainly the most comprehensive book on MySQL available to date. This book covers everything from installing MySQL to query optimization to PHP programming, along with everything in between. The book also provides enough reference information that it serves as a nice substitute for the MySQL documentation when you do not have internet access.

Part one of this book deals with the basics. MySQL is described, and a basic SQL tutorial is provided. Later chapters describe choosing data types and performing the various tasks that are involved in using MySQL. By the time you complete part one, you should be able to access data, create tables, join tables, and optimize your queries. For a typical user these first 300 pages should be all you need to become an advanced user (not an administrator mind you).

Part two occupies the next 250 pages and is a nice introducion to programming and instructs you in the use of the C, Perl,
and PHP APIs. While not as extensive a programming introduction as you will find in a dedicated PHP, Perl, or C book, the subject of database programming with these languages is well covered, and you should be able to write a basic database application after reading part two.

In part three, Paul DuBois descibes the administration of a MySQL database. Of particular interest should be the chapters on
administration and security. Additional subjects include file maintenance, server configuration, and replication. As with part one, part three is comprehensive and should provide solutions for anything you may encounter when administering a MySQL database.

The reference information in the appendices is quite extensive, and covers everything from installation to function and syntax references. The information should be current to MySQL 5, and is an excellent resource when you do not have access to the online reference manual
with its current information.

This is without a doubt one of the finest resources available on MySQL. This was my first MySQL book and my old first edition is well worn and has served me very well. If you need a good MySQL book that can take you from being an absolute beginner to a seasoned DBA, this is the book for you.

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