The 5 Best SQL Books of 2022

SQL Cookbook

This is an excellent book for those wanting to understand SQL as a whole or sharpen their knowledge of particular SQL strengths. Each topic, or recipe, is a code-demonstrated “how-to” for solving a common problem or accomplishing a general SQL task, making strong use of real-word cases and examples to build its readers knowledge of SQL code. Clear and well-written, each recipe is clearly addressed and illustrated with a solution and the rationale behind it.

This book aims to show its readers what can be done with SQL while improving their skills at the same time. Complex as well as simple recipes are provided, covering five different databases (DB2 v.8, Oracle Database 10g, PostgreSQL8, SQL Server 2005 and MySQL5). This book is an ideal complement to a “ground-up” beginners book as a learner can bounce between the two on their journey to master the language. Read more..

SQL Pocket Guide

As the title suggests, this book is a solid attempt at cramming the most useful information about SQL into an extremely helpful pocket-sized guide. This book’s pages are straight to the point and packed with examples, always making sure to be clear on the key differences between different flavors of SQL (DB2, Oracle, SQL Server, & MySQL). It was not written with the intention to teach newcomers SQL, instead acting as a “go-to pocket guide” by succinctly covering important SQL topics (DML, SQL functions, NULLs, CASE expressions, datatype conversions, etc.). The book is well organized with a clear table of contents, allowing its readers to quickly locate information on the topic they need to reference. Read more..

The Art of SQL

As the name suggests this book offers best practices that teach experienced SQL users to focus on the ‘art’ and strategy of SQL database development and coding rather than specifics. Not for beginners, it is written to enhance the skills of those already familiar with SQL, and assumes an advanced foundation in SQL and DBMS. It explains how to think about SQL, schema design, and DBMS operation in general, while focusing on the practical reasons and thought-process behind best-practices and real-world examples.

Many query requirements are discussed, including tree/hierarchy-based data structures, name/value pair tables, and various common types of selection filtering and aggregation. Differing implantation options are described and evaluated, with the pros and cons of each explained. Read more..

Head First SQL: Your Brain on SQL – A Learner’s Guide

What “best insert language books” list would be complete without its relevant Head First title? Packed with diagrams, questions, exercises and quirky pictures, this ‘noob-friendly’ book grabs and holds the attention of its readers with eye-opening simplicity and friendly humor. It is ideal for teachers or students alike, and will successfully introduce even the most uncomfortable or amateur readers to SQL. Like the rest of the books in this series, this SQL book is well-written and practical, has a clean and friendly layout, and breaks down any real or perceived barriers between its readers and their ability to begin learning SQL. Read more..

Joe Celko’s SQL for Smarties, Fourth Edition: Advanced SQL Programming

The final SQL book on this list requires some familiarity with the language. Even those who think they know all there is to know about SQL will likely find new techniques or information that will enhance their current skills. It is well-written but follows a textbook style, naturally containing fewer exercises and diagrams than earlier books. Some of the foundational key topics covered includes data types, NULLS, implementation and the set theory basis of SQL. Read more..