SQL Queries for Mere Mortals is the easiest, most practical guide to writing modern SQL queries. Michael J. Hernandez and John L. Viescas demystify all facets of query writing with SQL. Step by step, John L. Viescas and Michael J. Hernandez guide you through creating reliable queries for virtually any modern SQL-based database. They demystify all aspects of SQL query writing, from simple data selection and filtering to joining multiple tables and modifying sets of data. Three brand-new chapters teach you how to solve a wide range of challenging SQL problems. You'll learn how to write queries that apply multiple complex conditions on one table, perform sophisticated logical evaluations, and think "outside the box" using unlinked tables. Coverage includes: Getting started: understanding what relational databases are, and ensuring that your database structures are sound; SQL basics: using SELECT statements, creating expressions, sorting information with ORDER BY, and filtering data using WHERE; Summarizing and grouping data with GROUP BY and HAVING clauses; Drawing data from multiple tables: using INNER JOIN, OUTER JOIN, and UNION operators, and working with subqueries; Modifying data sets with UPDATE, INSERT, and DELETE statements; Advanced queries: complex NOT and AND, conditions, if-then-else using CASE, unlinked tables, driver tables, and more. Practice all you want with downloadable sample databases for today's versions of Microsoft Office Access, Microsoft SQL Server, and the open source MySQL database. Whether you're a DBA, developer, user, or student, there's no better way to master SQL. - Publisher.