Foreword     xxxi

Preface     xxxiv

Chapter 1: SQL and Data     1

Chapter 2: SQL: The Basics     49

Chapter 3: The WHERE and ORDER BY Clauses     101

Chapter 4: Character, Number, and Miscellaneous Functions     133

Chapter 5: Date and Conversion Functions     189

Chapter 6: Aggregate Functions, GROUP BY, and HAVING Clauses     263

Chapter 7: Equijoins     285

Chapter 8: Subqueries     323

Chapter 9: Set Operators     377

Chapter 10: Complex Joins     399

Chapter 11: Insert, Update, and Delete     429

Chapter 12: Create, Alter, and Drop Tables     503

Chapter 13: Indexes, Sequences, and Views     571

Chapter 14: The Data Dictionary, Scripting, and Reporting     615

Chapter 15: Security     661

Chapter 16: Regular Expressions and Hierarchical Queries     695

Chapter 17: Exploring Data Warehousing Features     741

Chapter 18: SQL Optimization     803

Appendix A: Answers to Quiz Questions     839

Appendix B: SQL Formatting Guide     855

Appendix C: SQL*Plus Command Reference     859

Appendix D: STUDENT Database Schema     873

Appendix E: Table and Column Descriptions     875

Appendix F: Additional Example Tables     881

Appendix G: Navigating the Oracle Documentation     887

Appendix H: Resources     893

Appendix I: Oracle Data Types     897

Index     899

“The book...has enough depth for even a seasoned professional to pick up enough tips to pay back the price of the book

many times over.”

–Dr. Paul Dorsey, President, Dulcian, Inc., Oracle Magazine PL/SQL Developer of the Year 2007, and President

Emeritus, New York Oracle Users Group 

“This is a fascinating guide into the world of Oracle SQL with an abundance of well-collected examples. Without a doubt, this

book is helpful to beginners and experts alike who seek alternative ways to resolve advanced scenarios.”–Oleg Voskoboynikov, Ph.D., Database Architect

The World's #1 Hands-On Oracle SQL Workbook–Fully Updated for Oracle 11g

Crafted for hands-on learning and tested in classrooms worldwide, this book illuminates in-depth every Oracle SQL technique you'll need. From the simplest query fundamentals to regular expressions and with newly added coverage of Oracle's powerful new SQL Developer tool, you will focus on the tasks that matter most. Hundreds of step-by-step, guided lab exercises will systematically strengthen your expertise in writing effective, high-performance SQL. Along the way, you'll acquire a powerful arsenal of useful skills–and an extraordinary library of solutions for your real-world challenges with Oracle SQL.

Coverage includes

• 100% focused on Oracle SQL for Oracle 11 g, today's #1 database platform–not “generic” SQL!
• Master all core SQL techniques including every type of join such as equijoins, self joins, and outer joins
• Understand Oracle functions in depth, especially character, number, date, timestamp, interval, conversion, aggregate, regular expressions, analytical, and more
• Practice all types of subqueries, such as correlated and scalar subqueries, and learn about set operators and hierarchical queries
• Build effective queries and learn fundamental Oracle SQL Developer and SQL*Plus skills
• Make the most of the Data Dictionary and create tables, views, indexes, and sequences
• Secure databases using Oracle privileges, roles, and synonyms
• Explore Oracle 11 g's advanced data warehousing features
• Learn many practical tips about performance optimization, security, and architectural solutions
• Avoid common pitfalls and understand and solve common mistakes
• For every database developer, administrator, designer, or architect, regardless of experience!

The best hands-on guide to Oracle SQL - now updated for Oracle 11g and reorganized for even faster learning

--This edition will be completely updated to include the latest Oracle 11g features. 
--The book will have expanded coverage on relational database theory.
--The chapter on SQL*Plus will contain additional explanations to help inexperienced readers get comfortable with the tool more quickly.
--There will be additional discussions on alternate tools to execute SQL queries.
--The data warehousing chapter will have more examples on the newly introduced features. 
--Joins will have additional coverage with more tips and tricks, particularly with regard to multi-table joins and their optimization techniques.
--The overall layout of the book will be altered.  The labs will be de-emphasized because many of the relevant teaching points were revealed only after the exercise has been completed.  This will be reorganized to provide more upfront knowledge. The many exercises that follow will continue to reinforce the learned material. 
--The Website will be reorganized to facilitate the downloading of the end-of-chapter solutions and the sample data. Readers had previously complained about not finding information.

--The author's web site is http://www.oraclesqlbyexample.com/ and has all of the instructor materials available there.