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Practical SQL, 2nd Edition: A Beginner's Guide to Storytelling with Data 2nd Edition
Purchase options and add-ons
Practical SQL is an approachable and fast-paced guide to SQL (Structured Query Language), the standard programming language for defining, organizing, and exploring data in relational databases. Anthony DeBarros, a journalist and data analyst, focuses on using SQL to find the story within your data. The examples and code use the open-source database PostgreSQL and its companion pgAdmin interface, and the concepts you learn will apply to most database management systems, including MySQL, Oracle, SQLite, and others.*
You’ll first cover the fundamentals of databases and the SQL language, then build skills by analyzing data from real-world datasets such as US Census demographics, New York City taxi rides, and earthquakes from US Geological Survey. Each chapter includes exercises and examples that teach even those who have never programmed before all the tools necessary to build powerful databases and access information quickly and efficiently.
You’ll learn how to:
- Create databases and related tables using your own data
- Aggregate, sort, and filter data to find patterns
- Use functions for basic math and advanced statistical operations
- Identify errors in data and clean them up
- Analyze spatial data with a geographic information system (PostGIS)
- Create advanced queries and automate tasks
This updated second edition has been thoroughly revised to reflect the latest in SQL features, including additional advanced query techniques for wrangling data. This edition also has two new chapters: an expanded set of instructions on for setting up your system plus a chapter on using PostgreSQL with the popular JSON data interchange format.
Learning SQL doesn’t have to be dry and complicated. Practical SQL delivers clear examples with an easy-to-follow approach to teach you the tools you need to build and manage your own databases.
* Microsoft SQL Server employs a variant of the language called T-SQL, which is not covered by Practical SQL.
- ISBN-101718501064
- ISBN-13978-1718501065
- Edition2nd
- PublisherNo Starch Press
- Publication dateJanuary 25, 2022
- LanguageEnglish
- Dimensions7.01 x 0.98 x 9.25 inches
- Print length464 pages
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From the Publisher
About the Author
Anthony DeBarros is a longtime journalist who has combined his interests in data analysis, coding, software product development, and storytelling for much of his career. He is a data news editor for The Wall Street Journal, focusing on topics such as the economy, trade, the U.S. Census, and politics. He previously held positions with USA TODAY, the Poughkeepsie Journal, and the DocumentCloud project for Investigative Reporters and Editors. His work has received multiple honors, including a prestigious Silver Baton from the Alfred I. duPont-Columbia University Awards.
About the Publisher
No Starch Press has published the finest in geek entertainment since 1994, creating both timely and timeless titles like Python Crash Course, Python for Kids, How Linux Works, and Hacking: The Art of Exploitation. An independent, San Francisco-based publishing company, No Starch Press focuses on a curated list of well-crafted books that make a difference. They publish on many topics, including computer programming, cybersecurity, operating systems, and LEGO. The titles have personality, the authors are passionate experts, and all the content goes through extensive editorial and technical reviews. Long known for its fun, fearless approach to technology, No Starch Press has earned wide support from STEM enthusiasts worldwide.
Editorial Reviews
Review
—Jakub Romanowski, LearnSQL.com
"This book is comprehensive, well organized, and contains almost everything a new developer needs to learn SQL using Postgres. Besides, the arrangement of the sections is logical, and the writing style is not complicated where information is supported by the required examples and images, in addition to evidence from the writer's practical experiences."
—Hadi Fadlallah, SQLShack
"[W]ell-written and informative . . . an extremely enjoyable book that will keep the reader engaged with interesting, thought-provoking exercises . . . I highly recommend Practical SQL, 2nd Edition to anyone wanting to learn PostgreSQL and how to tell stories with data."
—Joshua Allen Holm, Opensource.com
REVIEWS FOR THE FIRST EDITION:
"This book is comprehensive, well organized, and contains almost everything a new developer needs to learn SQL using Postgres. Besides, the arrangement of the sections is logical, and the writing style is not complicated where information is supported by the required examples and images, in addition to evidence from the writer's practical experiences."
—Hadi Fadlallah, SQLShack
“One of the best-organized travelogues we've seen into the SQL realm.”
—Newstips Bulletin
"More fun and more engaging [than Learning SQL from O'Reilly]."
—Giles McMullen-Klein, Python Programmer, YouTuber
“Practical SQL will take you from an absolute databases beginner towards becoming a database and SQL master. This book is one of those books that you feel like [you're] reading a novel, not a technical book. It uses an easy to follow and [understandable] approach that makes it easy to read for people from all backgrounds.”
—Sara A. Metwalli, Towards Data Science
"I recommend reading Practical SQL by Anthony DeBarros for a more in-depth look on how to implement regression analysis and other analytical tools using SQL."
—Michael Grogan, Towards Data Science
"One of the most interesting books about SQL I've ever read. At first glance, it looks like a guide for complete rookies. But the author raises topics that will interest advanced users."
—Jakub Romanowski, LearnSQL.com
About the Author
Product details
- Publisher : No Starch Press
- Publication date : January 25, 2022
- Edition : 2nd
- Language : English
- Print length : 464 pages
- ISBN-10 : 1718501064
- ISBN-13 : 978-1718501065
- Item Weight : 1.85 pounds
- Dimensions : 7.01 x 0.98 x 9.25 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #53,036 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #1 in Computer Programming Structured Design
- #3 in SQL
- #9 in Data Mining (Books)
- Customer Reviews:
About the author

Anthony DeBarros is a longtime journalist who has combined his interests in data analysis, coding, software product development, and storytelling for much of his career. He is a data news editor for The Wall Street Journal, focusing on topics such as the economy, trade, the U.S. Census, and politics. He previously held positions with USA Today, the Poughkeepsie Journal, and the DocumentCloud project for Investigative Reporters and Editors. He holds a Master of Science degree in Information Systems from Marist College, and his work has received multiple honors including a Silver Baton from the Alfred I. duPont-Columbia University Awards.
Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Generated from the text of customer reviewsSelect to learn more
Top reviews from the United States
- 5 out of 5 stars
Great book, well worth the money
Reviewed in the United States on September 2, 2024This is one of the better computer manuals for the beginner/general public that I have encountered. The pace is good and fast but he explains everything you need to know in detail -- once. With a big bold heading so you don't miss it. The examples and the writing are crisp and to the point. The code is easy to download and obtain.
I first worked through this book on my public library's subscription to the online edition when I realized this was one I needed to buy because I go back to it so much.
I also want to add that the physical book is very well made. It holds up to a lot of abuse, has thick pages, good type, and is very well bound. You can spill a full cup of coffee on the thing, you can bend it backwards while reading on the couch with one hand, you can write in black ink all over the pages -- I have done all these things and the book is very much intact. Tough paper and very tough, nearly waterproof cover. I usually feel ripped off when I buy a new book, but not this time.
13 people found this helpfulSending feedback...Sending feedback...HelpfulThank you for your feedback.Sorry, we failed to record your vote. Please try againThanks, we'll investigate in the next few days.Sorry, We failed to report this review. Please try again - 5 out of 5 stars
Outstanding for learning SQL
Reviewed in the United States on March 28, 2024I tried several "beginner" SQL books, and this one is a keeper. Of all the books out there, this one has practical exercises throughout that are easy to follow and logically progress, and best of all they work flawlessly! The writer of this book took the time and effort to clearly document the steps necessary to install and use PostgreSQL, and consequently I was able to easily install my PostgreSQL instance and do all the practical exercises, which is essential to learning.
12 people found this helpfulSending feedback...Sending feedback...HelpfulThank you for your feedback.Sorry, we failed to record your vote. Please try againThanks, we'll investigate in the next few days.Sorry, We failed to report this review. Please try again - 5 out of 5 stars
A Great Book for Learning PostgreSQL
Reviewed in the United States on August 1, 2024I appreciate the way DeBarros has written this book in such a way that it breaks down complex concepts into manageable and clear explanations. DeBarros offers numerous real-world examples that demonstrate how SQL can be used to solve everyday data problems. Each chapter builds on the previous one, gradually introducing more advanced topics while reinforcing foundational skills.
Definitely recommend for those interested in learning SQL.
4 people found this helpfulSending feedback...Sending feedback...HelpfulThank you for your feedback.Sorry, we failed to record your vote. Please try againThanks, we'll investigate in the next few days.Sorry, We failed to report this review. Please try again - 5 out of 5 stars
Actually practical and makes learning easy
Reviewed in the United States on February 6, 2023I just completed my master's program in Data Science and I can honestly say that this is the BEST text book I have read throughout my ENTIRE collegiate career. I wish I had read Chapter 11 on statistics in the start of my career because now I completely understand it. Ugh, you live and you learn.
26 people found this helpfulSending feedback...Sending feedback...HelpfulThank you for your feedback.Sorry, we failed to record your vote. Please try againThanks, we'll investigate in the next few days.Sorry, We failed to report this review. Please try again - 4 out of 5 stars
Good book
Reviewed in the United States on August 11, 2022I am almost done with reading this book and I am giving it 4 stars instead of 5 because it is very wordy. Which ends up making the text seem boring in a sense. However, I do not think this book was written for people like me who would have preferred the text to go through more of the database design process than data manipulation. Hence I assume that this book would fit a data science quite well but a dev trying to quickly learn a stack before graduation not so much.
Would I buy it again? => Nope, I would go for a thinner quicker read. But I am going to keep it and use it as a reference to any future data manipulation.
14 people found this helpfulSending feedback...Sending feedback...HelpfulThank you for your feedback.Sorry, we failed to record your vote. Please try againThanks, we'll investigate in the next few days.Sorry, We failed to report this review. Please try again - 5 out of 5 stars
Great for beginners!
Reviewed in the United States on February 12, 2025Great book learned so much!
One person found this helpfulSending feedback...Sending feedback...HelpfulThank you for your feedback.Sorry, we failed to record your vote. Please try againThanks, we'll investigate in the next few days.Sorry, We failed to report this review. Please try again - 5 out of 5 stars
Great book
Reviewed in the United States on November 15, 2022This book is excellent for beginners to SQL. I already had a solid foundation, but reading through from beginning to end, I learned quite a lot. The author explains concepts in great detail with clear examples.
I highly recommend this to anyone who wants to learn SQL, or just to have as a quick reference for any of the concepts within.
15 people found this helpfulSending feedback...Sending feedback...HelpfulThank you for your feedback.Sorry, we failed to record your vote. Please try againThanks, we'll investigate in the next few days.Sorry, We failed to report this review. Please try again - 5 out of 5 stars
Beginner friendly
Reviewed in the United States on October 15, 2024Excellent book, specially if you are looking for a career in Cybersecurity.
One person found this helpfulSending feedback...Sending feedback...HelpfulThank you for your feedback.Sorry, we failed to record your vote. Please try againThanks, we'll investigate in the next few days.Sorry, We failed to report this review. Please try again
Top reviews from other countries
G.kannadasan5 out of 5 starsAbout book
Reviewed in India on July 26, 2025Very good
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Azzoug Smail5 out of 5 starsGarage
Reviewed in Belgium on October 1, 2025Great
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Yvonne Gregory5 out of 5 starsSQL
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 4, 2026We know it's old but still relevant
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Tim Morrow4 out of 5 starsExcellent Reference
Reviewed in Australia on February 1, 2025Well written
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cesar ayala vargas5 out of 5 starsExcellent for beginners and those who like to reinforce the basics in SQL
Reviewed in Mexico on February 14, 2023The book is very easy to read and follow. Although it uses PosgresSQL (which is very good and I recommend to use) the author uses examples for SQL Standard which makes this book a good source of information for any SQL language such as MYSQL.
In case you don't use PostgresSQL I recommend you to review at the same time the documentation of the other language you are using, so it will be easier for you to associate the concepts that come in the book.
If you already have some experience in school and want to go deeper into databases, this book will give you a very good foundation or at least serve to revisit it every time you want to reinforce a topic.
The book is very easy to read and follow. Although it uses PosgresSQL (which is very good and I recommend to use) the author uses examples for SQL Standard which makes this book a good source of information for any SQL language such as MYSQL.
In case you don't use PostgresSQL I recommend you to review at the same time the documentation of the other language you are using, so it will be easier for you to associate the concepts that come in the book.
If you already have some experience in school and want to go deeper into databases, this book will give you a very good foundation or at least serve to revisit it every time you want to reinforce a topic.
In general, it is a good book for beginners or people who want to reinforce their basics.
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