I use queries on the job and know some programming so I am ready to give a shot to getting my dba cert. I like the approach the book takes because it starts out pretty easy and progresses logically to more advanced concepts. The book uses several different business scenarios which helps give an understanding as to why you would need to do xyz in the real world.

The flaws of the book are that it seems intentionally technical for the sake of being technical. An inexperienced person isn't usually up on what aggregate functions are, and some in-context definitions would be nice. I'm from the school that says big words are what we use to confuse management who normally won't ask questions lest they appear to know less than the underling :-) So.... personally I'd rather spend brain power learning the concept instead of deciphering overly technical (imho) text.

BUT, if you have a reasonable grasp on the english language and are a little bit tech savvy you should be able to work with it. I plan on taking the exam in Dec of 2003 or Jan of 2004, so I'll try to post how I did if anyone is interested.

Happy Landings