Best SQL Books of 2025

Wilson Cook Avatar
Wilson Cook
Last Updated: Apr 28, 2023

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SQL Books is a collection of informative and comprehensive materials designed for those who want to learn SQL, the standard programming language for managing relational databases. These books are written by experienced authors and cover various topics such as database design, data manipulation, and data analysis. They provide practical examples, exercises, and real-world scenarios that help readers understand how SQL works and how to use it effectively. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced programmer, SQL Books can help you enhance your skills and knowledge in database management.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Python Programming and SQL: 5 books in 1 - The #1 Coding Course from Beginner to Advanced. Learn it Well & Fast (2023) Cover #TOP 1
Python Programming and SQL: 5 books in 1 - The #1 Coding Course from Beginner to Advanced. Learn it Well & Fast (2023)
ftb score rating icon 9.9
SQL QuickStart Guide: The Simplified Beginner's Guide to Managing, Analyzing, and Manipulating Data With SQL (QuickStart Guides™ - Technology) Cover #TOP 2
SQL QuickStart Guide: The Simplified Beginner's Guide to Managing, Analyzing, and Manipulating Data With SQL (QuickStart Guides™ - Technology)
ftb score rating icon 9.8
Sql Guide (Quick Study: SQL) Cover #TOP 3
Sql Guide (Quick Study: SQL)
ftb score rating icon 9.6

Top 10 SQL Books

Python Programming and SQL: 5 books in 1 - The #1 Coding Course from Beginner to Advanced. Learn it Well & Fast (2023)

Reed, Mark
Independently published
Jan 10, 2023
Python Programming and SQL: 5 books in 1 - The #1 Coding Course from Beginner to Advanced. Learn it Well & Fast (2023) Cover
Python Programming and SQL: 5 books in 1 - The #1 Coding Course from Beginner to Advanced. Learn it Well & Fast (2023)

The Python Programming and SQL: 5 books in 1 is an all-in-one guide for beginners and advanced learners who want to master Python and SQL programming languages. The guide offers step-by-step instructions and practical experience, making it easy for readers to start coding in no time. It covers essential tools, strategies, and real-world applications with easy-to-understand examples and exercises. The book is an excellent resource for anyone looking to learn coding, from basic to advanced levels, and it provides excellent value for money as five books are bundled into one unique guide.

SQL QuickStart Guide: The Simplified Beginner's Guide to Managing, Analyzing, and Manipulating Data With SQL (QuickStart Guides™ - Technology)

Shields, Walter
ClydeBank Media LLC
Nov 18, 2019
SQL QuickStart Guide: The Simplified Beginner's Guide to Managing, Analyzing, and Manipulating Data With SQL (QuickStart Guides™ - Technology) Cover
SQL QuickStart Guide: The Simplified Beginner's Guide to Managing, Analyzing, and Manipulating Data With SQL (QuickStart Guides™ - Technology)

The SQL QuickStart Guide is a comprehensive and accessible beginner's guide to managing, analyzing, and manipulating data with SQL. Written by experienced mentor and SQL expert Walter Shields, this book is perfect for professionals seeking to enhance their job skills in preparation for a data-driven future, developers looking to expand their programming capabilities, and anyone who wants to take advantage of our inevitably data-driven future—even with no prior coding experience. The book includes free access to a sample database, SQL browser app, comprehension quizzes, and several other digital resources. Overall, this book is a must-read for anyone interested in the field of data warehousing and management.

#TOP 3

Sql Guide (Quick Study: SQL)

BarCharts, Inc.
QuickStudy
Jan 1, 2005
Sql Guide (Quick Study: SQL) Cover
Sql Guide (Quick Study: SQL)

The "Sql Guide (Quick Study: SQL)" is a 4-page laminated guide that covers the basics of SQL, including databases, delimiters/operators, order of operations, DDL, and DML. It is a great resource for those who are new to SQL or need a quick reference guide. The guide is easy to read and provides clear explanations of each topic. However, it may not be suitable for those who need a more in-depth understanding of SQL. Overall, this guide is a useful tool for anyone who wants to learn the basics of SQL quickly and efficiently.

Taylor, Allen G.
For Dummies
Apr 23, 2019
SQL All-in-One For Dummies Cover
SQL All-in-One For Dummies

SQL All-in-One For Dummies is a comprehensive guide for anyone who wants to learn about SQL and SQL-based relational databases. It covers everything from designing and developing databases to querying SQL-based databases in the SQL language. With the latest updates and capabilities, this book is a timely update to the popular reference for database administrators, programmers, and those who manage these functions. It also includes information on SQL with XML, data security, and database tuning overview. Overall, this book is an excellent resource for beginners and experts alike.

Learning SQL: Generate, Manipulate, and Retrieve Data

Beaulieu, Alan
O'Reilly Media
Apr 21, 2020
Learning SQL: Generate, Manipulate, and Retrieve Data Cover
Learning SQL: Generate, Manipulate, and Retrieve Data

Learning SQL: Generate, Manipulate, and Retrieve Data is an essential guide for developers seeking to master SQL fundamentals. With comprehensive coverage of SQL basics and advanced features, the latest edition includes new chapters on SQL and big data, analytic functions, and working with large databases. The author, Alan Beaulieu, delivers self-contained lessons on key SQL concepts and techniques with numerous illustrations and annotated examples. Exercises ensure readers can practice the skills they learn. This book is a must-read for anyone looking to interact with data and put the power and flexibility of SQL to work.

PHP & MySQL: Server-side Web Development

Duckett, Jon
Wiley
Feb 15, 2022
PHP & MySQL: Server-side Web Development Cover
PHP & MySQL: Server-side Web Development

This full-color book, PHP & MySQL: Server-side Web Development, written by best-selling author Jon Duckett, is an excellent guide for learning how to build modern database-driven websites using PHP. The book is packed with inspiring code examples, infographics, and photography that not only teach the PHP language and how to work with databases but also show how to build new applications from scratch. It demonstrates practical techniques that readers will recognize from popular sites like Facebook and Wikipedia, and it includes online support with code samples and practical exercises. Overall, this book is a must-read for anyone interested in web development.

SQL for Data Analysis: Advanced Techniques for Transforming Data into Insights

Tanimura, Cathy
Oct 19, 2021
SQL for Data Analysis: Advanced Techniques for Transforming Data into Insights Cover
SQL for Data Analysis: Advanced Techniques for Transforming Data into Insights

"SQL for Data Analysis: Advanced Techniques for Transforming Data into Insights" is a practical book that provides new and hidden ways to improve your SQL skills, solve problems, and make the most of SQL as part of your workflow. It covers both common and exotic SQL functions such as joins, window functions, subqueries, and regular expressions in new, innovative ways. The author, Cathy Tanimura, has over 20 years of experience analyzing data with SQL across most of the major proprietary and open source databases. This book is a must-have reference for anyone who works with SQL databases.

#TOP 8

SQL in 10 Minutes a Day, Sams Teach Yourself

Forta, Ben
Sams Publishing
Dec 10, 2019
SQL in 10 Minutes a Day, Sams Teach Yourself Cover
SQL in 10 Minutes a Day, Sams Teach Yourself

Sams Teach Yourself SQL in 10 Minutes a Day is a practical guide for anyone who needs to interact with databases, from web designers to mobile app developers. The book covers all the essential parts of SQL, from simple data retrieval to more advanced topics such as joins, subqueries, and triggers. Written by Ben Forta, a seasoned expert in the computer industry, this book is a great resource for those who want to learn SQL quickly and efficiently. Overall, Sams Teach Yourself SQL in 10 Minutes a Day is a well-organized and straightforward guide that delivers what it promises.

Practical SQL, 2nd Edition: A Beginner's Guide to Storytelling with Data

DeBarros, Anthony
No Starch Press
Jan 25, 2022
Practical SQL, 2nd Edition: A Beginner's Guide to Storytelling with Data Cover
Practical SQL, 2nd Edition: A Beginner's Guide to Storytelling with Data

Practical SQL, 2nd Edition is a beginner-friendly guide to SQL, the standard programming language for organizing and exploring data in relational databases. The book features real-world datasets, exercises, and examples that teach readers how to create databases, clean up data, analyze spatial data, and automate tasks. The second edition has been updated with the latest SQL features and includes two new chapters on system setup and using PostgreSQL with JSON. Written by journalist and data analyst Anthony DeBarros, Practical SQL is an easy-to-follow approach to teach readers the tools they need to manage their databases.

SQL: 3 books 1 - The Ultimate Beginner, Intermediate & Expert Guides To Master SQL Programming Quickly with Practical Exercises

Reed, Mark
Jul 10, 2022
SQL: 3 books 1 - The Ultimate Beginner, Intermediate & Expert Guides To Master SQL Programming Quickly with Practical Exercises Cover
SQL: 3 books 1 - The Ultimate Beginner, Intermediate & Expert Guides To Master SQL Programming Quickly with Practical Exercises

The "SQL: 3 books in 1" bundle is a comprehensive guide that covers beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels of SQL programming. The book is ideal for anyone looking to improve their programming skills, manage data or gain a deeper understanding of our data-driven future. The guide is designed to make learning SQL simple with an easy-to-follow approach that builds on each chapter. The book is not just a theoretical guide, but also offers practical experience with interactive exercises. Overall, this bundle is an excellent resource for those looking to master SQL programming quickly and easily.

Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the best book on SQL?

To summarize, here is the list of the best SQL books:. “Sams Teach Yourself SQL in 10 Minutes” By Ben Forta.“Learning SQL” By Alan Beaulieu.“SQL: The Ultimate Beginners Guide: Learn SQL Today” By Steve Tale.“SQL: QuickStart Guide – The Simplified Beginner's Guide To SQL” By Clydebank Technology.

2. How many days it will take to learn SQL?

Because SQL is a relatively simple language, learners can expect to become familiar with the basics within two to three weeks. That said, if you're planning on using SQL skills at work, you'll probably need a higher level of fluency.

3. Can you learn SQL in 2 weeks?

Everyone's different, but learning basic SQL statements can take anywhere from a couple of hours to a couple of weeks. It can take months to master them, but once you understand the concepts behind statements like INSERT, UPDATE, and DELETE, you'll be very well placed to use those statements in the real world.

Editor's Notes

During our sql book research, we found 1,200+ sql book products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 12,269 customer reviews through our big data system to write the sql books list. We found that most customers choose sql books with an average price of $21.13.

Written by
Wilson Cook Avatar

Wilson Cook is a talented writer who has an MFA in creative writing from Williams College and has published more than 50 books acquired by hundreds of thousands of people from various countries by now. He is an inveterate reading lover as he has read a vast amount of books since childhood.