MySQL & mSQL Book

MySQL and mSQL provides the essentials to programming with these two popular Unix freeware database packages in C/C++, Perl, Python and Java. The book begins with a fine introduction to databases that covers tables, fields, indexes and normalisation. Then it explains the history of the freeware MySQL and mSQL packages which offer better performance than commercial relational database management system (RDBMS) packages although they don't support transactions or other features. Next the authors look at SQL as used within MySQL and mSQL and clarify where to download these packages and how to install them. Examples of how to programme with MySQL/mSQL in C/C++ follow. One of the best parts of this book is its introduction to using Common Gateway Interface (CGI) and Perl to power a Web site with a MySQL/mSQL database. This section offers complete information on using mSQL Perl--and the emerging Database Independent (DBI) standard--for developing CGI database scripts in Perl and includes clear examples (including a student database). The book then moves from Perl on to other programming languages such as Python and Java. Reference material to all the relevant APIs is featured for each language. Whatever programming API you choose MySQL and mSQL are ready to meet the needs of the small- to moderate-size Web site. This book delivers essential information on these packages and will help both Web masters and programmers get the most out of these powerful freeware database tools. -- Richard DraganRead More