5 ms·

Ask HN: Best Databases book?

5 points by redxblood 13y ago

I'm preparing a website, and i need to create a database to hold data for when users "register" on the site. What's the best book (or video maybe?) to learn databases from scratch?

tjr 13y ago
Assuming a standard relational database, you might find interest in the relevant portions of: http://philip.greenspun.com/sql/ http://philip.greenspun.com/sql/ and http://philip.greenspun.com/seia/ http://philip.greenspun.com/seia/
RollAHardSix 13y ago
http://www.amazon.com/Beginning-SQL-Paul-Wilton/dp/0764577328 http://www.amazon.com/Beginning-SQL-Paul-Wilton/dp/076457732... My favorite SQL book period.
mfruhling 13y ago
I really like Joe Celko. "Thinking in Sets" opened my mind up quite a bit. http://www.amazon.com/Joe-Celkos-Thinking-Sets-Management/dp/0123741378 http://www.amazon.com/Joe-Celkos-Thinking-Sets-Management/dp...
ScottWhigham 13y ago
I think there's a difference between "someone who wants to learn databases" and "someone who has a specific project to implement in a specific time frame". If you are in the former, then stay at the high level - learn what SQL is, what RDBMS' are, and then learn a little about logical database design. If, though, you want to build a product, you need to (a) pick the product, and (b) start with books/videos on that subject matter. You can pick up the basics along the way.
akg_67 13y ago
Are you trying to write user registration from scratch? There are already these components available with most frameworks in Python, PHP. You don't need to reinvent. These framework come with appropriate DB tables, primarily in MySQL or PostgreSQL. Most books on database driven website will give you enough to get started.
brudgers 13y ago
Why do you think you need a database to hold user registration information? Why won't CSV, XML, JSON or text files formatted some other way work? Keep in mind that "learning databases" is not like "learning wordprocessors" or "learning spreadsheets", but if your serious this self paced course from Coursera might be a place to start. https://www.coursera.org/course/db https://www.coursera.org/course/db
- lazyfunctor 13y ago
  I'd also suggest the course along with sections of http://www.amazon.com/Database-Systems-Complete-Book-Edition/dp/0131873253 http://www.amazon.com/Database-Systems-Complete-Book-Edition...
taf2 13y ago
Hacking in WordPress code base is a great way to learn MySQL IMO... it does a very nice job of neatly organizing content using and tags being polymorphic to represent categories and tags. Really helps to have code samples... otherwise, reference manuals are great for answering questions about how some specific syntax works...

5 points by redxblood 13y ago

I'm preparing a website, and i need to create a database to hold data for when users "register" on the site. What's the best book (or video maybe?) to learn databases from scratch?

tjr 13y ago

Assuming a standard relational database, you might find interest in the relevant portions of: http://philip.greenspun.com/sql/ http://philip.greenspun.com/sql/ and http://philip.greenspun.com/seia/ http://philip.greenspun.com/seia/

RollAHardSix 13y ago

http://www.amazon.com/Beginning-SQL-Paul-Wilton/dp/0764577328 http://www.amazon.com/Beginning-SQL-Paul-Wilton/dp/076457732... My favorite SQL book period.

mfruhling 13y ago

I really like Joe Celko. "Thinking in Sets" opened my mind up quite a bit. http://www.amazon.com/Joe-Celkos-Thinking-Sets-Management/dp/0123741378 http://www.amazon.com/Joe-Celkos-Thinking-Sets-Management/dp...

ScottWhigham 13y ago

I think there's a difference between "someone who wants to learn databases" and "someone who has a specific project to implement in a specific time frame". If you are in the former, then stay at the high level - learn what SQL is, what RDBMS' are, and then learn a little about logical database design. If, though, you want to build a product, you need to (a) pick the product, and (b) start with books/videos on that subject matter. You can pick up the basics along the way.

akg_67 13y ago

Are you trying to write user registration from scratch? There are already these components available with most frameworks in Python, PHP. You don't need to reinvent. These framework come with appropriate DB tables, primarily in MySQL or PostgreSQL. Most books on database driven website will give you enough to get started.

brudgers 13y ago

Why do you think you need a database to hold user registration information? Why won't CSV, XML, JSON or text files formatted some other way work? Keep in mind that "learning databases" is not like "learning wordprocessors" or "learning spreadsheets", but if your serious this self paced course from Coursera might be a place to start. https://www.coursera.org/course/db https://www.coursera.org/course/db

lazyfunctor 13y ago
I'd also suggest the course along with sections of http://www.amazon.com/Database-Systems-Complete-Book-Edition/dp/0131873253 http://www.amazon.com/Database-Systems-Complete-Book-Edition...

taf2 13y ago

Hacking in WordPress code base is a great way to learn MySQL IMO... it does a very nice job of neatly organizing content using and tags being polymorphic to represent categories and tags. Really helps to have code samples... otherwise, reference manuals are great for answering questions about how some specific syntax works...