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Detailed Table of Contents (PDF) here
Chapter 1: Introducing SQL
SQL offers a powerful, set-oriented approach to working with data that is quite different
from the traditional FoxPro techniques of SCAN, SEEK, and SKIP. This chapter
introduces SQL and covers some database basics.
Chapter 2: Using SQL to Define Data
In VFP, as in most databases, you have to specify the structure of your data before you
can begin to store it. VFP’s SQL language offers a rich collection of data definition
commands. You can create a database, add and remove tables, and modify the structure
of a table. You can also create and modify cursors.
Chapter 3: Basic Data Manipulation
Once you define a database and its tables, it’s time to start putting data in and working
with it. This chapter begins to examine SQL commands that let you add, change, and
remove data.
Chapter 4: Retrieving Data
For most VFP developers, the prime motivator for learning SQL is the SELECT
command. It lets you collect data from one or more tables based on the data values
without the complications of opening tables, setting relations, managing record
pointers, or selecting work areas.
Chapter 5: Working with Subqueries
Performing a query within another SQL command increases the abilities of SQL
considerably. This chapter looks at the rules for forming such queries and the places
you use them.
Chapter 6: Complex Data Manipulation
Recent versions of VFP have considerably expanded the capabilities of INSERT,
UPDATE, and DELETE. This chapter looks at those additional capabilities.
Chapter 7: Optimization
FoxPro built its reputation on being the fastest database around. Used properly, VFP
processes data astonishingly fast. This chapter explores how to get that speed.
Chapter 8: Common Problems and How to Solve Them
The previous chapters in this book looked at VFP's SQL commands in a systematic way
based on the commands themselves. This chapter starts from the other side, looking at
problems you may want to solve and showing you how to apply SQL to them.
Appendix A: VFP Versions and SQL Commands
The set of SQL commands available in Visual FoxPro, as well as the capabilities of those
commands has changed with new versions of VFP. This appendix shows when different
features entered the language.
Appendix B: Dealing with Version Change
The VFP team has a well-deserved reputation for backward compatibility. But sometimes
changes are necessary. This appendix looks at changes in SQL behavior and how to
deal with them.
Appendix C: Changing from a VFP Back-end to SQL Server
The switch from VFP tables to a SQL Server database has a bit of a learning curve, but
it’s not insurmountable. While there is quite a bit to learn about the SQL Server
environment and how to access the data, one of the biggest learning curves is the subtle
differences between SQL syntax in the two systems.
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