MySQL Certification Study Guide

By Boyd E. Hemphill, Triand, Inc

The MySQL Certification Study Guide is intended for those coming from another RDBMS system, or who have job experience with the MySQL database. This book is not intended as a way for those new to databases to learn their way around MySQL.

The Study Guide is written by Paul Dubois and, like MySQL Cookbook or MySQL: The definitive guide to using, programming, and administering MySQL 4, it is of high quality in its organization, style and focus:

• Chapters group related concepts
• References to areas of the Study Guide and the MySQL reference documentation provide resources for readers who need further development of a topic.
• Use of bulleted lists give visual queues for facts necessary to the exam while paragraphs align with concepts that bring the facts together.
• The book provides details on the MySQL server relevant for the Core and Professional examinations and does not attempt to introduce concepts to readers new to RDBMS.

The first 10 of 16 chapters are excellent preparation for the Core exam. I have taken and passed, the Core examination and feel the Study Guide provided and excellent representation of the topics tested. The last six chapters cover the Professional examination. I have not taken this test, but I feel confident in my preparation after reading the Study Guide.

The open-ended questions contained at the end of each chapter range from the simple recall of facts to the relation of several concepts. This range covers the spectrum of questions experienced on the exam. Additionally, some questions point out exceptional situations with which users new to MySQL may be unfamiliar. I found it useful to read the questions even if I did not respond to all of them.

While I highly recommend the guide for people with previous experience in this type of certification, I do feel there are some things MySQL AB can provide in later editions to enhance its value as an educational text:

1. A question set in the guide formatted like those on the exam is missing. It would be very useful for MySQL AB to provide a CD of practice questions in proper exam format so that candidates are familiar with the interface and the writing style of the questions. I recommend that candidates new to the certification process use a first level Oracle practice exam to gain this experience.
2. A sample schema with a rich data set would allow for more meaningful and complex questions at the end of each chapter. Such a schema, available on CD or for download, would also provide for examples importing and exporting data.
3. As with most MySQL documentation, there are very few illustrations. Things such as memory space diagrams, relational maps or join diagrams would be very useful for readers with a more visual learning style.

About the Author

Boyd E. Hemphill worked with Oracle 8i and 9i in the energy industry for three and one half years. In February of 2004 he moved to the MySQL world with Triand, Inc. Boyd's current duties include light DBA and design work along with heavy SQL support to the Java team and small and medium scale ETL projects. He has completed the Core certification and intends to take the Professional exam in August.

Editor's note: As it is mentioned in the review, no data CD is provided with the book. However, as noted on the book's Errata page, the world database which is used in many examples may be downloaded from http://dev.mysql.com/doc/.

See other reviews