Further Reference
In this book, the database server of choice is Microsoft’s SQL Server 2005, but as we mentioned earlier, it is not the only kid on the block and there are a number of different free versions of the major databases to tide you over while you learn. They all have a lot of good documentation installed with them as well, making them well worth a read.
SQL Server 2005 Express Edition (http://www.microsoft.com/express/sql/)
Oracle 10g Express Edition (http://www.oracle.com/technology/software/products/database/xe/htdocs/102xewinsoft.html)
MySQL Community Server (http://dev.mysql.com/downloads/mysql/5.0.html#win32)
Likewise, there are many good books and websites to teach you a lot more about database design and SQL queries than you’ll ever need (probably). For example:
Head First SQL by Lynn Beighley (O’Reilly), a cracking beginner’s guide to SQL
SQL Visual Quickstart Guide by Chris Fehily (Peachpit), a slimmer alternative to Head First SQL
SQL Queries for Mere Mortals by John L. Viescas and Michael J. Hernandez (Addison-Wesley), the book to look at once you’ve got the basics of SQL in your head
Professional SQL Server 2005 Programming by Rob Vieira (Wrox), the book to take you outside of just writing SQL and into thinking about SQL Server as a whole programming platform
Expert Oracle Database Architecture: 9i and 10g Programming Techniques by Thomas Kyte (Apress), the equivalent to Vieira’s book for Oracle users
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