Search for books, people and lists
Read This Twice
HomePeopleBooksSonaLibrariesSign in

Best SQL Books

Master the art of database management with this collection of the best SQL books, favored by programming experts and tech bloggers. Their ranking reflects how often they've been highlighted as essential readings for both novice and professional users alike.

Recommendations from 42 articles.
66 books on the list
Sort by
Number of Articles
Layout
SQL in 10 Minutes a Day, Sams Teach Yourself book cover
SQL in 10 Minutes a Day, Sams Teach Yourself
Ben Forta - 2004-01-01 (first published in 1999)
Goodreads Rating
This book is the ultimate guide for beginners to learn SQL in just 10 minutes a day. With 22 easy-to-follow lessons, you'll understand how to use SQL to its full potential. You'll be able to work with multiple databases, including IBM DB2, Microsoft SQL Server and SQL Server Express, MariaDB, MySQL, Oracle and Oracle express, PostgreSQL, and SQLite. The book features full-color code examples, helpful tips to avoid common mistakes, and detailed explanations of concepts. By the end of the book, you'll be able to construct complex SQL statements, summarize data, join tables, and much more.
SQL Cookbook book cover
SQL Cookbook
Query Solutions and Techniques for Database Developers (Cookbooks (O'Reilly))
Anthony Molinaro - 2006-01-24 (first published in 2005)
Goodreads Rating
This helpful guide is perfect for those looking to enhance their SQL skills in the database. Experienced developer Anthony Molinaro shares his favorite techniques and features, including using window functions and powerful, database-specific features like SQL Server's PIVOT and UNPIVOT operators. You'll also learn how to create histograms and perform advanced data warehousing techniques. Written in a Problem/Solution/Discussion style, the SQL Cookbook is a quick and efficient way to take your SQL skills to the next level.
SQL For Dummies book cover
SQL For Dummies
Allen G. Taylor - 1998-07-30 (first published in 1997)
Goodreads Rating
This comprehensive guide will teach programmers and web developers how to use SQL to build relational databases and retrieve valuable information from them. Covering key topics such as database design, security, and information retrieval, this updated bestseller is a must-have for anyone wanting to harness the power of SQL. Regardless of your level of experience or the type of relational database management system you're using, SQL For Dummies makes learning easy and accessible.
SQL Queries for Mere Mortals book cover
SQL Queries for Mere Mortals
A Hands-On Guide to Data Manipulation in SQL
John Viescas - 2007-01-01
Goodreads Rating
This guide teaches SQL query writing through step-by-step instruction and includes the newest SQL standards and database applications. With sample databases, the book covers the basics of SQL, drawing data, creating expressions, sorting information, and filtering data. The book also covers advanced SQL topics such as subqueries, unlinked tables, and driver tables. In two new chapters, the book covers how to perform complex calculations and how to partition data. This guide is perfect for developers, DBAs, students, and users.
SQL Practice Problems book cover
SQL Practice Problems
57 beginning, intermediate, and advanced challenges for you to solve using a “learn-by-doing” approach
Sylvia Moestl Vasilik - 2016-11-16
Goodreads Rating
Improve your SQL skills and gain confidence with real-world practice problems that teach you how to think and analyze data problems like a pro. This book offers 57 challenging and well-designed problems to bring your skills to the next level. You'll get step-by-step guidance and targeted hints, as well as alternative answers and tips on good programming practice. Perfect for beginners and experienced programmers alike, and written by a top database programmer with over 15 years of experience. Get started with free downloads of MS SQL Server Express Edition 2016 and SQL Server Management Studio 2016, and a customized sample database.
SQL QuickStart Guide book cover
SQL QuickStart Guide
The Simplified Beginner's Guide to Managing, Analyzing, and Manipulating Data With SQL
Walter Shields - 2015-03-05
Goodreads Rating
Learn the most widely used and reliable programming language for managing and interpreting expansive databases in the modern world. The SQL QuickStart Guide is perfect for professionals looking to enhance their job skills or job seekers who want a durable edge, beginners with zero experience, and developers looking to expand their capabilities beyond the full stack. This guide will show you how to retrieve and understand data, important queries, and professional applications of SQL, along with how to “sell” your newfound skills to your employer or business. You'll also have free lifetime access to multiple online resources, including workbooks, cheat sheets, and reference guides. Start adapting to the inevitably data-driven future and buy SQL QuickStart Guide today!
Learning SQL book cover
Learning SQL
Master SQL Fundamentals
Alan Beaulieu - 2005-09-01
Goodreads Rating
Learn SQL quickly with this easy-to-follow guidebook updated for the latest database management systems including MySQL 6.0, Oracle 11g, and Microsoft's SQL Server 2008. Master all the SQL fundamentals, including creating database structures, manipulating data, and generating reports. Each chapter presents a self-contained lesson on a key SQL concept or technique, with numerous illustrations and annotated examples. Practice your skills with end-of-chapter exercises. Get started with Learning SQL and put the power and flexibility of this language to work.
Practical SQL book cover
Practical SQL
A Beginner's Guide to Storytelling with Data
Anthony Debarros - 2018-05-01
Goodreads Rating
This fast-paced guide to SQL takes an approachable approach to exploring data in relational databases. Using popular open-source database PostgreSQL and the pgAdmin interface, Practical SQL teaches you how to create and manage powerful databases with exercises and real-world examples. From defining the right data types to advanced statistical functions, this book covers everything you need to know to find the story your data tells. Even those with no programming experience will gain the tools necessary to access information quickly and efficiently.
The Art of SQL book cover
The Art of SQL
Stephane Faroult - 2006-03-01
Goodreads Rating
The Art of SQL by Stephane Faroult is a must-read for experienced SQL users seeking to elevate their skills and solve database performance problems. Faroult argues that quick fixes are only temporary solutions and encourages readers to focus on strategy and adopt a military-like mindset to design optimal solutions. Best practices are presented through basic principles that have been tried and tested in the field. This insightful book guides readers through the process of writing efficient and fast SQL code that will stand the test of time.
SQL Antipatterns book cover
SQL Antipatterns
Avoiding the Pitfalls of Database Programming (Pragmatic Programmers)
Bill Karwin - 2017-07-10 (first published in 2010)
Goodreads Rating
SQL Antipatterns is an expert guide to identifying and correcting the most common errors that developers make in SQL, whether you're a beginner or an experienced programmer. With practical examples covering everything from logical and physical database design to queries and application development, this book will help you avoid and fix common mistakes like Index Shotgun and Keyless Entry. You'll also learn the latest techniques for full-text search and SQL injection attack resistance. With SQL Antipatterns, you'll gain unparalleled insight into the playbook of an SQL expert and become a master of relational database design.
SQL Performance Explained Everything Developers Need to Know about SQL Performance by Markus Winand
Head First SQL by Lynn Beighley
SQL Pocket Guide by Jonathan Gennick
SQL for Data Analytics by Upom Malik
Getting Started with SQL by Thomas Nield
Joe Celko's SQL for Smarties by Joe Celko
Microsoft SQL Server 2019 by Dusan Petkovic
SQL Performance Tuning by Mary O'Brien, Peter Gulutzan, Trudy Pelzer
T-SQL Fundamentals by Itzik Ben-Gan
SQL by Lcf Publishing
Murach's SQL Server 2019 for Developers by Joel Murach
Effective SQL by John Viescas
SQL by James R. Groff
SQL in a Nutshell by Kevin Kline
SQL by Steve Tale
High Performance MySQL by Baron Schwartz
SQL Server 2017 Query Performance Tuning by Grant Fritchey
SQL for Data Scientists by Renee M. P. Teate
Oracle PL/SQL Programming by Steven Feuerstein
MySQL Cookbook by Paul Dubois
SQL by Chris Fehily
MySQL Explained by Mr. Andrew Comeau
MCTS Self-Paced Training Kit by Mike Hotek
Data Analysis Using SQL and Excel by Gordon S. Linoff
SQL Server MVP Deep Dives, Volume 2 by Kalen Delaney
Murach's MySQL by Joel Murach
SQL Server 2019 Revealed by Bob Ward
Joe Celko's SQL Puzzles and Answers by Joe Celko
Learning MySQL by Vinicius M. Grippa, Sergey Kuzmichev
SQL Server Internals by Kalen Delaney
SOLVING BUSINESS PROBLEMS USING SQL by Hafizur Rahman
Joe Celko's SQL Programming Style by Joe Celko
Professional SQL Server 2012 Internals and Troubleshooting by Christian Bolton
Sams Teach Yourself Microsoft SQL Server T-SQL in 10 Minutes by Ben Forta
SQL Server MVP Deep Dives by Paul Nielsen
Inside Microsoft SQL Server 2008 by Itzik Ben-Gan
S Q L by Peter Adams
Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Bible by Paul Nielsen, Parui, Uttam
MCTS Self-Paced Training Kit by Tobias Thernstrom
Troubleshooting SQL Server - A Guide for the Accidental DBA by Jonathan Kehayias
Delivering Business Intelligence with Microsoft SQL Server 2016 by Brian Larson
SQL by Felix Alvaro
Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Administrator's Pocket Consultant by William Stanek
T-SQL Querying by Itzik Ben-Gan
Training KitQuerying Microsoft SQL Server 2012 by Dejan Sarka
Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Step by Step by Patrick Leblanc
MCTS Self-Paced Training Kit by Erik Veerman
Training Kit by Orin Thomas
SQL for Beginners by Preston Prescott
Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Administration by Tom Carpenter
Expert Scripting and Automation for SQL Server DBAs by Peter A. Carter
MySQL 8 Cookbook by Karthik Appigatla
SQL Database Programming by Chris Fehily
Pro SQL Server Internals by Dmitri Korotkevitch
SQL for Data Analysis by Cathy Tanimura
Applied Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Reporting Services by Teo Lachev