Chapter 4. Retrieving Data: Simple Queries

This chapter covers the basic phrases needed to survive your first few days with MySQL. Phrases for some of the most common tasks, such as sorting data or finding text that matches a particular pattern, are provided, and finding your way out of a few major pitfalls, such as the mysterious and perplexing NULL, is discussed.

For more advanced queries, including joins and subqueries, see Chapter 9,"Advanced Queries."