Uncover the secrets of SQL and start building better relational databases today!

This fun and friendly guide will help you demystify database management systems so you can create more powerful databases and access information with ease. Updated for the latest SQL functionality, SQL For Dummies, 8th Edition covers the core SQL language and shows you how to use SQL to structure a DBMS, implement a database design, secure your data, and retrieve information when you need it.

• Includes new enhancements of SQL:2011, including temporal data functionality which allows you to set valid times for transactions to occur and helps prevent database corruption
• Covers creating, accessing, manipulating, maintaining, and storing information in relational database management systems like Access, Oracle, SQL Server, and MySQL
• Provides tips for keeping your data safe from theft, accidental or malicious corruption, or loss due to equipment failures and advice on eliminating errors in your work

Don't be daunted by database development anymore - get SQL For Dummies, 8th Edition, and you'll be on your way to SQL stardom.

Allen G. Taylor is a 30-year veteran of the computer industry. He lectures nationally on databases, innovation, and entrepreneurship, and teaches database development internationally through a leading online education provider. He has written more than 20 books, including all editions of SQL For Dummies.

Introduction 1

Part I: Getting Started with SQL 3

Chapter 1: Relational Database Fundamentals 5

Chapter 2: SQL Fundamentals 21

Chapter 3: The Components of SQL 51

Part II: Using SQL to Build Databases 79

Chapter 4: Building and Maintaining a Simple Database Structure 81

Chapter 5: Building a Multitable Relational Database 105

Part III: Storing and Retrieving Data 137

Chapter 6: Manipulating Database Data 139

Chapter 7: Handling Temporal Data 157

Chapter 8: Specifying Values 171

Chapter 9: Using Advanced SQL Value Expressions 197

Chapter 10: Zeroing In on the Data You Want 211

Chapter 11: Using Relational Operators 243

Chapter 12: Delving Deep with Nested Queries 267

Chapter 13: Recursive Queries 285

Part IV: Controlling Operations 295

Chapter 14: Providing Database Security 297

Chapter 15: Protecting Data 313

Chapter 16: Using SQL within Applications 333

Part V: Taking SQL to the Real World 347

Chapter 17: Accessing Data with ODBC and JDBC 349

Chapter 18: Operating on XML Data with SQL 359

Part VI: Advanced Topics 381

Chapter 19: Stepping through a Dataset with Cursors 383

Chapter 20: Adding Procedural Capabilities with Persistent Stored Modules 393

Chapter 21: Handling Errors 411

Chapter 22: Triggers 423

Part VII: The Part of Tens 429

Chapter 23: Ten Common Mistakes 431

Chapter 24: Ten Retrieval Tips 435

Appendix: SQL: 2011 Reserved Words 439

Index 443