Bruce's book -- partial review

I just had to write... :-)

My copy of "PostgreSQL Introduction and Concepts" by Bruce Momjian
arrived from Amazon the other day. I've read the first 14 chapters so
far (the part specifically about SQL), and am very impressed!

This is a very good, well written, easy to understand introduction to
relational databases and SQL, and everything is illustrated using
simple, to-the-point examples. It starts with the most basic bits,
assuming no database knowledge, and teaches basic data manipulation,
aggregates, the various joins, sequences, complex queries, data types,
indexing, transactions, user controlled locking, constraints, access
control and foreign keys -- all in a clear, easily understood fashion,
and in a mere 170 pages. I wouldn't have thought it possible.

I'm also happy to see the reference manual included in the book for
easy access -- this means it actually gets consulted as one reads. ;-)

I would not hesitate to recommend to someone who wants to learn about
RDBMS-es that they install PostgreSQL on a UNIX system, and then use
this book as their learning guide. In fact, I'm sure I'll probably be
recommending just that to several people. :-)

Great work, Bruce!

-tih
--
The basic difference is this: hackers build things, crackers break them.