For all the buzz about trendy IT techniques data processing is still at thecore of our systems especially now that enterprises all over the world areconfronted ... » 

For all the buzz about trendy IT techniques data processing is still at thecore of our systems especially now that enterprises all over the world areconfronted with exploding volumes of data. Database performance has become amajor headache and most IT departments believe that developers should providesimple SQL code to solve immediate problems and let DBAs tune any bad SQLlater. In The Art of SQL author and SQL expert Stephane Faroult argues thatthis safe approach only leads to disaster. His insightful book named afterArt of War by Sun Tzu contends that writing quick inefficient code is sweepingthe dirt under the rug. SQL code may run for 5 to 10 years surviving severalmajor releases of the database management system and on several generations ofhardware. The code must be fast and sound from the start and that requires afirm understanding of SQL and relational theory. The Art of SQL offers bestpractices that teach experienced SQL users to focus on strategy rather thanspecifics. Faroults approach takes a page from Sun Tzus classic treatise byviewing database design as a military campaign. You need knowledge skills andtalent. Talent cant be taught but every strategist from Sun Tzu to moderndaygenerals believed that it can be nurtured through the experience of others.They passed on their experience acquired in the field through basic principlesthat served as guiding stars amid the sound and fury of battle. This is whatFaroult does with SQL. Like a successful battle plan good architecturalchoices are based on contingencies. What if the volume of this or that tableincreases unexpectedly? What if following a merger the number of usersdoubles? What if you want to keep several years of data online? Faroults wayof looking at SQL performance may be unconventional and unique but hes deadlyserious about writing good SQL and using SQL well. The Art of SQL is not acookbook listing problems and giving recipes. The aim is to get youand yourmanagerto raise good questions. «