The unexpected pleasure of reading books about databases is that they are often written by authors with highly organized minds. Paul DuBois and his editors at New Riders have assembled MySQL with a clarity and lucidity that inspires confidence in the subject matter: a (nearly) freely redistributable SQL-interpreting database client/server primarily geared for Unix systems but maintained for Windows platforms as well. What isn't "free" about MySQL (the application) is its server's commercial use; all clients and noncommercial server use are free. DuBois's tome isn't free either, but its list price is modest in light of its value and the value of its namesake.
The volume is superbly organized into 12 chapters and 10 appendices and contains a concise table of contents and a comprehensive 50-page index. It is peppered with references to the online HTML documentation that comes with the source and binary distributions (which are available and easy to install in stable rpm and tar releases.)
The first third of MySQL is an excellent instruction tool for database newbies; the second third is a detailed reference for MySQL developers; and the last third consists of clearly annotated appendices, including C, Perl (but not Python), and PHP interfaces.
Perhaps as an indication of the collective will of the developers of MySQL, DuBois does not separate Windows 95/98/NT design or development specifics from its main discussions. Platform-independent design is a goal, not a reality, and users will have to rely on newsgroups and mailing lists for details. Moreover, security issues are addressed in a mere 18 pages, a large part of which is devoted to standard Unix file and network-access permissions. Next to nothing is mentioned about defense against common hacking strategies, the use of secure shell interfaces, or access encryption.
Although it is nearly 800 pages in length, DuBois's book is thankfully not encyclopedic. It is a valuable précis of the MySQL database, and its easy-to-skim look and feel will make it an excellent browse for database experts who want to know what is and is not possible within MySQL, the application. --Peter Leopold --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
MySQL (4th Edition)
Thursday, January 15, 2009
High Performance MySQL: Optimization, Backups, Replication, and More
High Performance MySQL is the definitive guide to building fast, reliable systems with MySQL. Written by noted experts with years of real-world experience building very large systems, this book covers every aspect of MySQL performance in detail, and focuses on robustness, security, and data integrity. High Performance MySQL teaches you advanced techniques in depth so you can bring out MySQL's full power. Learn how to design schemas, indexes, queries and advanced MySQL features for maximum performance, and get detailed guidance for tuning your MySQL server, operating system, and hardware to their fullest potential. You'll also learn practical, safe, high-performance ways to scale your applications with replication, load balancing, high availability, and failover. This second edition is completely revised and greatly expanded, with deeper coverage in all areas. Major additions include:
* Emphasis throughout on both performance and reliability
* Thorough coverage of storage engines, including in-depth tuning and optimizations for the InnoDB storage engine
* Effects of new features in MySQL 5.0 and 5.1, including stored procedures, partitioned databases, triggers, and views
* A detailed discussion on how to build very large, highly scalable systems with MySQL
* New options for backups and replication
* Optimization of advanced querying features, such as full-text searches
* Four new appendices
The book also includes chapters on benchmarking, profiling, backups, security, and tools and techniques to help you measure, monitor, and manage your MySQL installations.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
PHP and MySQL: Create - Modify - Reuse
* Packed with ready-to-use projects for PHP and MySQL, this book guides readers through several real-world projects that are complete, tested, and ready to be implemented, so that readers can learn by doing
* Clearly explains to readers all aspects of design, such as portability, design flow, and integration, and shows them how to properly secure their applications for real-world implementation
* Authored by a PHP expert who is in tune with common tasks and the various problems faced by developers in everyday circumstances
* Application topics include user management, Web forums, and an image gallery
* Although PHP and MySQL can each be used independently, when they are used together, they open up dynamic options for Web site development
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
PHP 6 and MySQL 5 for Dynamic Web Sites: Visual QuickPro Guide
It hasn't taken Web developers long to discover that when it comes to creating dynamic, database-driven Web sites, MySQL and PHP provide a winning open source combination. Add this book to the mix, and there's no limit to the powerful, interactive Web sites that developers can create. With step-by-step instructions, complete scripts, and expert tips to guide readers, veteran author and database designer Larry Ullman gets right down to business: After grounding readers with separate discussions of first the scripting language (PHP) and then the database program (MySQL), he goes on to cover security, sessions and cookies, and using additional Web tools, with several sections devoted to creating sample applications. This guide is indispensable for intermediate- to advanced level Web designers who want to replace their static sites with something dynamic. In this edition, the bulk of the new material covers the latest versions of both technologies: PHP 6 (due out in 2008) and MySQL 5 (available now). The book's publication date is likely to beat the official release of PHP 6, making it one of the first books available on the subject.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
MySQL in a Nutshell
When you need to find the right SQL keyword or MySQL client command-line option right away, turn to this convenient reference, known for the same speed and flexibility as the system it covers so thoroughly. MySQL is packed with so many capabilities that the odds of remembering a particular function or statement at the right moment are pretty slim. With MySQL in a Nutshell, you get the details you need, day in and day out, in one concise and extremely well organized book.
The new edition contains all the commands and programming information for version 5.1, including new features and language interfaces. It's ideal for anyone using MySQL, from novices who need to get up to speed to advanced users who want a handy reference. Like all O'Reilly Nutshell references, it's easy to use and highly authoritative, written by the editor of the MySQL Knowledge Base at MySQL AB, the creator and owner of MySQL.