Hi. I just wondering what is the best book I can buy about MySQL. Also what software do you recommend using to write MySQL code?

Thank you

best book for mysql? no idea, but if you are new to SQL in general, you could try mine

as for software to write queries, try HeidiSQL

It's not a specific MySQL book but I would recommend what I consider to be my bible: Fundamentals of Database Systems by Elmasri / Navathe. The new editions are rather pricy, but the earlier editions are still relevant (I've got one from the beginning of the 2000's).

It goes deep into the best practices of relational databases and also has a good section on SQL that you can implement in MySQL.

to write queries
theres also the MySQL query browser from MySQL which comes as part of the MySQL GUI tools downloadable from the MySQL website

Does anyone have a good place to see basic variables? I'm looking to do queries and have only been able to find ways to query exact matches. Is there a mway to query data in a field that say begins with PB-? Or is there a way to use wildcards?

... WHERE somecolumn LIKE 'PB-%'

Can someone suggest tools for working with my database? I have access to PHPMyAdmin, but I find that I need more functionality and when I have a large database, I run into problems with import/export feature.

Thanks!

There are many ebooks and MySql for Dummies as standard. I say just keep on pratice. You won't break anything.

try HeidiSQL

Thanks r937, I just logged onto your site and I'll probably buy your book.

Cheers again

I have to say moving between different projects incorporating different vendors of SQL is really annoying given that each one makes up its own keywords... Why cant they use the same keywords?!

I think you can simply get a lot of information about MYSQL via google search.

Thanks for this information, I am struggling with MySQL and have been confused as to where to start. I thought I could just jump in but I was sure wrong about that!!

did you try the tutorials on the mysql.com site?

Hi Demis.

Try MySQL :: MySQL 5.0 Reference Manual :: 3 Tutorial

Hope this helps.