Release Team[oR] 2001 [x] Database - CGI, Java, MySQL ...

1 Release Team[oR] 2001 [x] Database - 2 - Sam's Teach Yourself MySQL in 21 Days by Mark Maslakowski ISBN: 0672319144 Sams 2000, 532 pages A complete course in using one of the most-popular open source databases. Table of Contents Colleague Comments Back Cover Synopsis by Stan Miastkowski For those who need a full-powered relational DBMS without the considerable expense of well-known commercial products (such as Microsoft SQL Server), MySQL has quickly become a favorite. This open source Database is available for virtually all platforms, including the various incarnations of Windows. But like many open source products, its documentation is sparse. Enter Teach Yourself MySQL in 21 Days, a book that solves the documentation dearth problem with an effective and accessible step-by-step course in the DBMS. No prior SQL experience is assumed so even beginners will benefit from this book.

2 Table of Contents Sams Teach Yourself MySQL in 21 Days - 3 Introduction - 5 Week 1 At a Glance Day 1 - What Is MySQL ? - 9 Day 2 - Getting Started - 13 Day 3 - Designing Your First Database - 21 Day 4 - Creating Your First Database - 32 Day 5 - Making Your Data Normal - 38 Day 6 - Adding Tables, Columns, and Indexes to Your Database - 43 Day 7 - MySQL Data Types - 50 Week 2 At a Glance Day 8 - Populating the Database - 58 Day 9 - Querying the Database - 71 Day 10 - Letting MySQL Do the Work Intrinsic Functions - 85 Day 11 - MySQL Table Locks and Assorted Keys - 93 Day 12 - How to Get the Data Database Interfaces - 107 Day 13 - How to Use MyODBC - 111 Day 14 - The Perl Database Interface - 139 Week 3 At a Glance Day 15 - MySQL and PHP - 156 - 3 - Day 16 - MySQL and Time - 171 Day 17 - MySQL Database Security - 185 Day 18 - How MySQL Compares - 195 Day 19 - Administrating MySQL - 204 Day 20 - Optimizing MySQL - 219 Day 21 - Putting It All Together - 225 Appendix A - ASQL Syntax and Commands - 271 Appendix B - Current MySQL Functions - 278 Appendix C

3 - Answers to Exercises - 298 List of Figures List of Tables List of Listings List of Sidebars Back Cover In just 21 days, you'll have all the skills you need to get up and running efficiently. With this complete tutorial, you'll master the basics and then move on to the more advanced features and concepts. Understand the fundamentals and master all of the key features of MySQL Learn how to effectively use the latest tools and features of MySQL by following practical, real-world examples Get expert tips from a leading authority on implementing MySQL in the corporate environment This book is designed for the way you learn. Go through the lessons day by day or just chose those lessons that interest you the most. Build robust databases from the ground up Access data easily and efficiently using Database interfaces Optimize MySQL and keep your databases secure Design efficient MySQL databases using normalization Learn how to define business rules and objects Protect access with Table Locks and Keys Make the best use of MySQL 's intrinsic fuctions such as numerical operations, string manipulations, and logical conditions.

4 About the Author Mark Maslakowski is a consultant working for Thor Systems Inc., a company specializing in systems integration. As a Senior Solution Developer. Mark has designed and created computer-based solutions for several national and international corporations on a diverse set of platforms. Originally a Windows developer who used Visual Basic and Visual C++, Mark has joined the open source revolutions and prefers using programming languages such as Perl and Tcl/Tk. Sams Teach Yourself MySQL in 21 Days Mark Maslakowski Tony Butcher Copyright 2000 by Sams - 4 -All rights reserved. No part of this book shall be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission from the publisher. No patent liability is assumed with respect to the use of the information contained herein. Although every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this book, the publisher and authors assume no responsibility for errors or omissions.

5 Neither is any liability assumed for damages resulting from the use of the information contained herein. International Standard Book Number: 0-672-31914-4 Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 99-69680 Printed in the United States of America First Printing: June, 2000 Trademarks All terms mentioned in this book that are known to be trademarks or service marks have been appropriately capitalized. Sams Publishing cannot attest to the accuracy of this information. Use of a term in this book should not be regarded as affecting the validity of any trademark or service mark. Warning and Disclaimer Every effort has been made to make this book as complete and as accurate as possible, but no warranty or fitness is implied. The information provided is on an "as is" basis. The authors and the publisher shall have neither liability nor responsibility to any person or entity with respect to any loss or damages arising from the information contained in this book or from the use of the CD or programs accompanying it.

6 Associate Publisher Michael Stephens Executive Editor Rosemarie Graham Acquisitions Editor Shelley Johnston Development Editor Clint McCarty Gus A. Miklos Managing Editor Matt Purcell Project Editor Andy Beaster Copy Editor Pat Kinyon Indexer Sandy Henselmeier Proofreader Matt Wynalda Technical Editor Pierre Boutquin Team Coordinator Pamalee Nelson Software Development Specialist Jason Haines Interior Design Gary Adair Cover Design Aren Howell Copy Writer Eric Borgert Production Brandon Allen Cheryl Lynch About the Authors Mark Maslakowski is a consultant working for Thor Systems Inc., a company specializing in systems integration. As Senior Solutions Developer, Mark is responsible for developing solutions that fit clients' needs, no matter what the platform. He has been involved in developing large multi-tier applications for - 5 -several major corporations. Mark started his career in the Army and has been on the move since.

7 He has filled of many roles, including Database Administrator, Senior Developer, and Senior Systems Analyst. Mark can be reached at Tony Butcher is a consultant specializing in the design of interactive and Database -driven Web sites. As Technology Director for Tribal Internet in the UK, he creates solutions based on MySQL in combination with Perl and PHP3. He has designed Web sites as front-ends to vast data mines searchable by sophisticated user queries and has created dynamic virtual communities of thousands of people with loyalty systems and personalized publishing of information. Although he has had a varied career, he has implemented databases in almost every job he has ever had. "We shouldn't be worried about information overload," he might say, "What matters is how we phrase our questions." Dedication I would like to dedicate this book in loving memory of my Father who left this world early but gave those he touched a lifetime of memories and teachings.

8 Mark Acknowledgments First and foremost I'd like to thank Ken Robertson for giving me the time, the insights, and the opportunity to make this book a reality. I'd also like to thank Carla Maslakowski. Without her push and direction, I would not have had the career I've enjoyed. Also, I'd like to thank David Smith of Cornerstone Information Systems, for giving me a chance when no else would. To all my friends at the club for helping me blow off steam when I needed to the most. I can't forget my family for being there when I needed them most and for putting up with my bad habits. I'd also like to thank the team at Sams Publishing, especially Shelley Johnston for making this experience a pleasurable one. Mark Maslakowski Tell Us What You Think! As the reader of this book, you are our most important critic and commentator. We value your opinion and want to know what we're doing right, what we could do better, what areas you'd like to see us publish in, and any other words of wisdom you're willing to pass our way.

9 As an Associate Publisher for Sams, I welcome your comments. You can fax, email, or write me directly to let me know what you did or didn't like about this book as well as what we can do to make our books stronger. Please note that I cannot help you with technical problems related to the topic of this book, and that due to the high volume of mail I receive, I might not be able to reply to every message. When you write, please be sure to include this book's title and author as well as your name and phone or fax number. I will carefully review your comments and share them with the authors and editors who worked on the book. Fax: Email: Mail: Michael Stephens Sams Publishing 201 West 103rd Street Indianapolis, IN 46290 USA Introduction Since before the dawn of the computer age, people have been using databases.

10 Before computers, a Database may have been a Rolodex containing phone numbers of the important people you knew, or it was a filing cabinet that contained all the personnel records for the company. Today, databases are computer-based and are found virtually everywhere. From desktop databases of your record collection to Web-enabled databases that run large corporations, - 6 -databases come in all shapes and sizes. Because of this fact, the Database industry has grown as fast and as large as the rest of the computer industry. Until recently, most high-powered databases cost an arm and a leg. They could provide all the tools and functionality to run a business but at a very high price. So most companies would use a Database that was cheaper and sacrifice functionality. Additionally, the Internet has spawned a new need for databases that can be accessed via the Web. This need has led software manufacturers to create products that can take advantage of this technology.