SQL Fundamentals deserves praise because it documents the implementation of Structured Query Language (SQL) in Oracle databases and Access databases simultaneously. Readers find out how to do simple single-table queries, more complicated multitable queries, table creation, joins, unions, and calculations in both environments in a variety of circumstances. For those who've never worked with SQL before and plan to use one of the two covered platforms, this book will make a fine starting point, since it explains elementary SQL concepts too.
Here's the approach: Author John J. Patrick sets out a task--for example, writing a statement that yields a left outer join of two databases. Then he proceeds to accomplish the task in both Access and Oracle, presenting the platforms' respective SQL statements side by side. The differences between the two implementations of SQL are obvious, making it easy for someone familiar with one of the two environments to adapt to the other. The reader will also find the numbered and highlighted key passages, which include details on the facing page, very helpful.
Patrick, who based this book on a university course he teaches, knows the value of practical experience--he's loaded SQL Fundamentals with exercises in addition to the tasks he completes himself. He leaves most of these to the reader but provides solutions to some of the more interesting ones. Databases for the illustrations and exercises are included on the companion CD-ROM. --David Wall
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