SQL in a Nutshell

A Desktop Quick Reference for SQL Syntax Across Major Database Platforms

Look up any SQL syntax, clause, or function across Oracle, SQL Server, MySQL, PostgreSQL, and DB2 in under a minute.

B Brand Hunt D Daniel Kline K Kevin Kline

SQL in a Nutshell is the authoritative desk reference for developers and data professionals who work with SQL every day. Covering ANSI SQL alongside platform-specific syntax for Oracle, SQL Server, MySQL, PostgreSQL, and DB2, it gives you fast, reliable answers when you need to know exactly how a function behaves or how a clause differs across databases. At 592 pages, it packs real depth without padding — precise, scannable, and built for the workbench, not the classroom.

Buy on Amazon →

About this book

Every developer who touches a database eventually hits the same wall: you know what you want to do, but you can't remember the exact syntax, or you're not sure whether that clause behaves the same on SQL Server as it does on PostgreSQL. SQL in a Nutshell exists to end that wall.

Written by Kevin Kline, Brand Hunt, and Daniel Kline, this O'Reilly reference covers the full SQL language from SELECT basics to advanced analytic functions. It follows the ANSI SQL standard as the baseline, then clearly documents how Oracle, Microsoft SQL Server, MySQL, PostgreSQL, and IBM DB2 each diverge. You get precise, side-by-side comparisons rather than a lowest-common-denominator summary that glosses over the differences that actually trip you up.

The book is organized for fast lookup, not linear reading. Every major SQL statement, function category, and data type gets its own entry, with syntax diagrams, parameter descriptions, and short working examples. You can open it at the right page in ten seconds and close it when you have your answer.

Complete coverage of DML, DDL, DCL, and TCL statements
Detailed function reference: string, numeric, date/time, conversion, and aggregate functions for each platform
Platform-specific extensions: stored procedures, window functions, and proprietary syntax
Data type mappings across all five databases
Transaction control, isolation levels, and locking behavior compared across platforms

SQL in a Nutshell suits the developer who already knows how to write a query and needs a reliable second opinion on the details. It is equally useful for DBAs maintaining schemas across multiple database products and for analysts who move between environments and can't afford to guess at syntax.

This is the book you keep within arm's reach, not the one you read once and shelve.

🎯 What you'll learn

Locate the exact syntax for any SQL statement or clause across five major database platforms in one place.
Identify how Oracle, SQL Server, MySQL, PostgreSQL, and DB2 differ in their implementation of the same SQL feature.
Apply string, numeric, date, and aggregate functions correctly on your specific platform using verified syntax and examples.
Understand data type equivalences and conversions when migrating or porting queries between databases.
Use window functions and analytic extensions available on each platform with confidence.
Navigate transaction isolation levels and locking semantics across different database engines without guessing.
Read and write DDL and DCL statements — schema creation, permissions, and constraints — correctly for your target database.

👤 Who is this book for?

Backend developers who write SQL against multiple databases and need a fast, authoritative syntax reference at the workbench.
Database administrators managing Oracle, SQL Server, or PostgreSQL instances who need to verify platform-specific behavior quickly.
Data analysts who switch between environments and can't afford to rely on memory alone for function signatures and edge-case behavior.
Software engineers onboarding to an unfamiliar database platform who want a precise reference rather than a tutorial.
Technical leads and architects comparing SQL feature support across platforms before committing to a database choice.

01

SQL Fundamentals and Standards

Establishes the ANSI SQL standard as the reference baseline and explains how platform documentation is structured throughout the book. You learn how to read syntax diagrams and understand the notation used in every subsequent entry.
02

SELECT and Query Construction

Covers the full SELECT statement from simple column retrieval through subqueries, joins, and set operations. Each clause is documented with syntax, options, and cross-platform notes so you can build and debug queries on any supported database.
03

Data Manipulation Statements

Documents INSERT, UPDATE, DELETE, and MERGE with complete syntax for all five platforms. You see exactly where proprietary extensions like SQL Server's OUTPUT clause or MySQL's REPLACE diverge from the ANSI standard.
04

Data Definition and Schema Objects

Covers CREATE, ALTER, and DROP for tables, indexes, views, sequences, and other schema objects. Platform differences in constraint syntax and index types are called out precisely so you can translate DDL between environments.
05

Functions Reference

Provides an A-to-Z reference for string, numeric, date and time, conversion, and aggregate functions on each platform. Every entry includes the function signature, a description of its behavior, and a working example.
06

Transactions, Locking, and Concurrency

Compares COMMIT, ROLLBACK, SAVEPOINT, and isolation level syntax across all five databases. You get a clear picture of how each platform handles concurrency so you can write correct transaction logic regardless of the engine.
07

Access Control and Security Statements

Covers GRANT, REVOKE, and user management DDL with platform-specific privilege models explained side by side. You learn how to express the same permission intent correctly on Oracle, SQL Server, MySQL, PostgreSQL, and DB2.
08

Platform-Specific Extensions

Documents proprietary features including stored procedures, window and analytic functions, and vendor-specific query hints that have no direct ANSI equivalent. Each extension is placed in context so you understand when and why to reach for it.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need prior SQL experience to use this book?

Yes. SQL in a Nutshell is a reference, not a tutorial. It assumes you can already write basic queries and want fast, authoritative answers about syntax and cross-platform behavior rather than an introduction to the language.

Which database platforms does this edition cover?

The book covers Oracle, Microsoft SQL Server, MySQL, PostgreSQL, and IBM DB2, alongside the ANSI SQL standard as a baseline. Each platform is documented consistently so you can compare behavior directly.

Is the content still relevant given that this edition was published in 2009?

Core SQL syntax covered here remains accurate for the versions in scope, and the cross-platform comparison structure is still uniquely useful. For very recent features added after 2009 you should supplement with official vendor documentation.

Is this a book to read cover to cover or use as a lookup reference?

It is designed for lookup, not linear reading. Entries are organized by statement and function so you can open the right page quickly, get your answer, and return to your work.

Does the book include code examples or companion files?

Each function and statement entry includes short, working SQL examples inline. There are no separate companion files or downloadable code packages associated with this reference.