Refs for Advance Data Base Books ( My Turn )

[WWGD]

Hi all, I guess now I am at the different end, after having replied to many requests for info on books. I do not have access ( ha-ha) to a library, though I do have access to a bookstore.

I am looking for an intermediate-to-advanced book in Database. I have covered the basics: Normalization,
QBE's, some intro SQL queries in Access : update, select from , count/avg/sum ( aggregates), etc. Integrity Constraints, Indexes, ERDs (Entity-Relation Diagrams) using Microsoft Vicio. Now looking at the next level, which, from what I found involves triggers, more advanced queries (e.g., find the n-th highest salary ).

Any suggestions for a book?
Thanks.

 

[pbuk]

What is your goal? Do you want to understand how databases work in order to:

1. get a job as a database administrator; or
   
2. learn how databases are used in practical applications; or
3. some other reason (what)?

In any case you need to get away from Microsoft Access IMHO (unless you are targeting a job supporting legacy applications using Access); where to go and the resources you need depend on what your goal is.

 

[WWGD]

Thanks Mr Anchovy. Basically both, though finding a job is the priority at this point. But I am taking classes, so I am sort-of tied up with their (professor's) choice of platform. I have been looking for a database job for a while now, though, and I have not seen any specs for specific platforms. Still, I would appreciate your comments. Is it the case that if I understand the concepts, that the platform/environment does not matter?

 

[pbuk]

Well most DBA jobs are for MS SQL Server or Oracle and getting into these platforms is not easy - to get a job you need experience, but to get experience you need a job.

Application programming is a bit easier - you can practice by developing a portfolio, and then at some stage of the interview there will be a coding test where you can demonstrate your skills. Don't restrict yourself to one language, you can learn .NET and C# with the free edition of Microsoft Visual Studio, also learn Java (I'd recommend NetBeans or IntelliJ IDEA over Eclipse) and if you already know some Python or PHP then build on that - again the JetBrains IDEs are useful.

 

[pbuk]

... sorry that doesn't actually answer the question, but books are generally geared towards a specific platform so unless you can narrow down your interest a bit it is difficult to recommend any!

 

[WWGD]

Thanks again, Mr Anchovy, let me think it through more carefully and I will come back with a clearer, more focused question.