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Nutshell Book Reviews
Below are excerpts from reviews of my computer book, MySQL in a Nutshell. To see the full review, click on the heading of the review you want to read. The link will take you to the publication that published the review.
It's probably safe to say that the purpose of most Nutshell books is to provide a reference you can pull from the shelf and look up the syntax for an arcane command when needed. To say that this book fulfills that function, however, is to tell only part of the story. Not only does it offer a quick reference to MySQL statements and functions, but it also covers such topics as installation (on various platforms including Unix, Linux, NetWare, Windows, and Macintosh OS X), and the basics... The author is a Perl programmer/MySQL developer, and his mastery of the material shines through. As you read through the book, and this chapter in particular, you immediately realize that this is an author who could easily spout correct syntax in his sleep without missing a breath... there are many books on MySQL filling the bookshelves, but one that you must buy in order to have the necessary documentation for MySQL is MySQL in a Nutshell.
Emmett Dulaney, July 2005
It is a very comprehensive text that reads as easily as a favorite novel yet is concise enough to be your first 'go-to' on MySQL issues you may face day-in and day-out. It is truly the 'most advanced kingfisher' (cover animal) on the topic and, like the Pied kingfisher, it is lightweight and demonstrates keenly honed survival skills. I use MySQL daily and I find it very useful and enjoyable. I don't want to become an SQL guru or even a DBA, as a programmer, I enjoy having MySQL In A Nutshell close at hand so that I can focus on writing code. Thank you Mr. Dyer (and the folks at O'Reilly) for a job well done!
Rob Wehrli, January 2006
The book starts much like any other book on any one of dozens of titles on a wide variety of products. Introduction, How to Install, Basics. It's not until we get to chapter 4, 'SQL Statements' that the fun and value of this book begins in earnest. A word of warning: This is not an SQL primer book. You are required to know and understand SQL already, but as an SQL reference in line with the nutshell ethos, this chapter is brilliant! All the commands are clearly laid out, with all the options and even useful examples! One example of this clarity is with the 'ALTER TABLE' command. The explanations cover about 4 pages and with several examples covering the major types of table alterations via this command. Lovely!
Steve McInerney, July 2005
At only just over 300 pages, this depth of detail is possible by keeping examples to the point: you don’t get waffle, you don’t get excess code blocks and you certainly don’t get picture after gratuitous picture to demonstrate a single point…We’ve waited too long for a MySQL in a Nutshell book, and this book satisfies completely.
Paul Hudson, July 2005
MySQL In A Nutshell starts off with a (very) brief introduction (I like that too), plus a short installation guide and tutorial. Then it gets right into the meat of things with the SQL reference. Next it covers functions for strings, date/time, flow control, etc. I must admit that I often use the online reference for many of these things. However, one nice thing I noticed about the book is that the SQL and function references were much more in-depth than the documentation available on mysql.com, which is sometimes a bit terse.
Andrew Brosnan, July 2005
...if you program with/for MySQL databases, then I do recommend this book as an excellent reference guide into all things programmy about MySQL. It certainly won't be spending a lot of time of my shelves gathering dust!
Steve McInerney, July 2005
Don’t let the size of the book fool you. The information it contains is well laid out into identifiable topics for easy reference. Since I have acquired this book, I have been able to find desired functions, statements and utilities more easily than before... this little powerhouse packs a punch. I definitely recommend MySQL in a Nutshell, A Desktop Quick Reference by Russell J.T. Dyer to anyone developing applications that interface with MySQL, or to anyone who wants to get to know MySQL better.
Brett Berry, June 2005
Another great 'Nutshell' book by O'Reilly for the quick desktop reference series. Starting off with a brief overview of MySQL with references to mailing lists, the packages involved and several other important aspects to consider when dealing with database software, it then goes into quick details of installation procedures. It's quick and to the point approach to me gives it a quick thumbs up as it doesn't go into too many details but outlines the basic processes with enough detail that even those that aren't familiar with MySQL installations could easily follow... This is a desktop reference book, a book to keep on your side when you don't have time to search online for the answers and from what I've read, it should help me in the time in need. It will definitely be a book I keep by my side.
trickykid, May 2005
With MySQL in a Nutshell, Dyer has provided the perfect desk reference for this powerful DB engine... The need that Dyer's book answers is the midnight-oil-burning, 'how the heck do I analyze tables again? And are they delineated with commas or semicolons?' kind of question. You know the ones I mean; if you answer right, you get to go home and sleep with your spouse for a few hours—but answer wrong, and you'll still be sweating over the database when the day shift arrives... If you use MySQL, this reference will be invaluable.
DrPat, May 2005
...if you like book documentation--and 'Nutshell' books in particular--then you will like this book. I happen to think it is a good idea to tear yourself away from the keyboard/screen every once in awhile, and the 'Nutshell' books give you a good reason for doing so. I'm not a SQL expert, so I liked the tutorial-flavored introductions at the beginning of each chapter, followed by the conversational tone of the clear and concise examples. I did not have this book when I first started programming using MySQL, and that's too bad because it could have saved me a lot of wasted time with its explanations of some of the more nefarious 'gotchas' of the language.
Larry Hannay, May 2005
Well the book certainly seems to cover MySQL's features quite comprehensively. But, as it is a reference manual, it does not attempt to teach you MySQL or the theory of relational databases. For a given MySQL command, the book's explanation is succinct and useful.
Wes Boudville, May 2005
Nutshell Book Reviews
Below are excerpts from reviews of my computer book, MySQL in a Nutshell. To see the full review, click on the heading of the review you want to read. The link will take you to the publication that published the review.
Unix Review
It's probably safe to say that the purpose of most Nutshell books is to provide a reference you can pull from the shelf and look up the syntax for an arcane command when needed. To say that this book fulfills that function, however, is to tell only part of the story. Not only does it offer a quick reference to MySQL statements and functions, but it also covers such topics as installation (on various platforms including Unix, Linux, NetWare, Windows, and Macintosh OS X), and the basics... The author is a Perl programmer/MySQL developer, and his mastery of the material shines through. As you read through the book, and this chapter in particular, you immediately realize that this is an author who could easily spout correct syntax in his sleep without missing a breath... there are many books on MySQL filling the bookshelves, but one that you must buy in order to have the necessary documentation for MySQL is MySQL in a Nutshell.Emmett Dulaney, July 2005
Amazon.com
It is a very comprehensive text that reads as easily as a favorite novel yet is concise enough to be your first 'go-to' on MySQL issues you may face day-in and day-out. It is truly the 'most advanced kingfisher' (cover animal) on the topic and, like the Pied kingfisher, it is lightweight and demonstrates keenly honed survival skills. I use MySQL daily and I find it very useful and enjoyable. I don't want to become an SQL guru or even a DBA, as a programmer, I enjoy having MySQL In A Nutshell close at hand so that I can focus on writing code. Thank you Mr. Dyer (and the folks at O'Reilly) for a job well done!Rob Wehrli, January 2006
Groklaw
The book starts much like any other book on any one of dozens of titles on a wide variety of products. Introduction, How to Install, Basics. It's not until we get to chapter 4, 'SQL Statements' that the fun and value of this book begins in earnest. A word of warning: This is not an SQL primer book. You are required to know and understand SQL already, but as an SQL reference in line with the nutshell ethos, this chapter is brilliant! All the commands are clearly laid out, with all the options and even useful examples! One example of this clarity is with the 'ALTER TABLE' command. The explanations cover about 4 pages and with several examples covering the major types of table alterations via this command. Lovely!Steve McInerney, July 2005
Linux Format
At only just over 300 pages, this depth of detail is possible by keeping examples to the point: you don’t get waffle, you don’t get excess code blocks and you certainly don’t get picture after gratuitous picture to demonstrate a single point…We’ve waited too long for a MySQL in a Nutshell book, and this book satisfies completely.Paul Hudson, July 2005
WhiteMountain Perl Monger
MySQL In A Nutshell starts off with a (very) brief introduction (I like that too), plus a short installation guide and tutorial. Then it gets right into the meat of things with the SQL reference. Next it covers functions for strings, date/time, flow control, etc. I must admit that I often use the online reference for many of these things. However, one nice thing I noticed about the book is that the SQL and function references were much more in-depth than the documentation available on mysql.com, which is sometimes a bit terse.Andrew Brosnan, July 2005
Groklaw
...if you program with/for MySQL databases, then I do recommend this book as an excellent reference guide into all things programmy about MySQL. It certainly won't be spending a lot of time of my shelves gathering dust!Steve McInerney, July 2005
Phoenix MySQL User Group
Don’t let the size of the book fool you. The information it contains is well laid out into identifiable topics for easy reference. Since I have acquired this book, I have been able to find desired functions, statements and utilities more easily than before... this little powerhouse packs a punch. I definitely recommend MySQL in a Nutshell, A Desktop Quick Reference by Russell J.T. Dyer to anyone developing applications that interface with MySQL, or to anyone who wants to get to know MySQL better.Brett Berry, June 2005
LinuxQuestions.org
Another great 'Nutshell' book by O'Reilly for the quick desktop reference series. Starting off with a brief overview of MySQL with references to mailing lists, the packages involved and several other important aspects to consider when dealing with database software, it then goes into quick details of installation procedures. It's quick and to the point approach to me gives it a quick thumbs up as it doesn't go into too many details but outlines the basic processes with enough detail that even those that aren't familiar with MySQL installations could easily follow... This is a desktop reference book, a book to keep on your side when you don't have time to search online for the answers and from what I've read, it should help me in the time in need. It will definitely be a book I keep by my side.trickykid, May 2005
Blogcritics.org
With MySQL in a Nutshell, Dyer has provided the perfect desk reference for this powerful DB engine... The need that Dyer's book answers is the midnight-oil-burning, 'how the heck do I analyze tables again? And are they delineated with commas or semicolons?' kind of question. You know the ones I mean; if you answer right, you get to go home and sleep with your spouse for a few hours—but answer wrong, and you'll still be sweating over the database when the day shift arrives... If you use MySQL, this reference will be invaluable.DrPat, May 2005
Amazon.com
...if you like book documentation--and 'Nutshell' books in particular--then you will like this book. I happen to think it is a good idea to tear yourself away from the keyboard/screen every once in awhile, and the 'Nutshell' books give you a good reason for doing so. I'm not a SQL expert, so I liked the tutorial-flavored introductions at the beginning of each chapter, followed by the conversational tone of the clear and concise examples. I did not have this book when I first started programming using MySQL, and that's too bad because it could have saved me a lot of wasted time with its explanations of some of the more nefarious 'gotchas' of the language.Larry Hannay, May 2005
Amazon.com
Well the book certainly seems to cover MySQL's features quite comprehensively. But, as it is a reference manual, it does not attempt to teach you MySQL or the theory of relational databases. For a given MySQL command, the book's explanation is succinct and useful.Wes Boudville, May 2005