This latest edition of the best-selling implementation guide to the Structured Query Language teaches SQL fundamentals while providing practical solutions for critical business applications. "The Practical SQL Handbook, Fourth Edition" now includes expanded platform SQL coverage and extensive real-world examples based on feedback from actual SQL users. "The Practical SQL Handbook" begins with a step-by-step introduction to SQL basics and examines the issues involved in designing SQL-based database applications. It fully explores SQL"s most popular implementations from industry leaders, Oracle, Microsoft, Sybase, and Informix. Highlights include: Detailed coverage of SQL commands for creating databases, tables, and indexes, and for adding, changing, and deleting data; Using the SELECT command to retrieve specific data; Handling NULL values (missing information) in a relational database; Joining tables, including self joins and outer joins (ANSI and...