12 Best MySQL Books of 2024 [Learn MySQL ASAP]

Today we’re looking at the best MySQL books for beginners and beyond.

🧠 Did you know? According to SplendorNet, MySQL first appeared May 23, 1995.

What is MySQL?

MySQL is a relational database management system.

It’s open-source and is used to add, access and process data that’s stored in a computer database.

MySQL is considered to be fast, reliable, scalable and easy to use.

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TLDR: Best MySQL Books

🔥 Best Overall 🔥
PHP & MySQL: Server-side Web Development

💥 Best for Newbies 💥
Learn SQL Using MySQL in One Day and Learn It Well

💸 Best Value 💸
PHP & MySQL in Easy Steps

Best MySQL Books

Now let’s dive into some of the best MySQL books of this year.

📌 Books 1-7 are for beginner MySQL developers.

📌 Books 8 and 9 are for intermediate developers.

📌 And books 10-12 are for advanced developers.

You’ll discover their:

• features
• core concepts
• layout
• comparisons

And more.

1. PHP & MySQL: Server-side Web Development

↘️ Ideal for: MySQL newbies, PHP newbies
↘️ Topics covered: MySQL, PHP

Ahh, the lastest release by the renowned best-selling author Mr. Jon Duckett!

Strap in and get ready for the most visually stimulating MySQL book you’ll probably ever find.

➡️ In our opinion, PHP & MySQL is one of the best MySQL books overall.

This book is filled to the brim with code examples, infographics and lucious photographs.

After learning the fundamentals of PHP, you’ll learn how to use it alongside MySQL to create web pages and build applications from scratch.

You’ll learn practical techniques to:

✅ upload images and files

✅ like and comment on posts

✅ automatically receive email notifications

In addition, you’ll learn how to create articles and posts that are saved in a database.

Throughout PHP & MySQL, you’ll build a complete content management system.

What MySQL develops are saying about PHP & MySQL:

… Like his previous releases, PHP & MySQL is truly a cut above the vast majority of web development books…

– RealToughCandy

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2. Learn SQL Using MySQL in One Day and Learn It Well

↘️ Ideal for: MySQL newbies, SQL newbies
↘️ Topics covered: MySQL, SQL

Learn SQL Using MySQL is different than PHP & MySQL because you’ll learn MySQL using SQL instead of PHP.

➡️ Learn SQL using MySQL in One Day and Learn It Well is perhaps one of the best MySQL books for beginners.

While this book is intended primarily to teach SQL to beginners, you first have to learn the essentials of MySQL.

So to start out, you’ll learn how to:

✅ install MySQL applications

✅ launch MySQL workbench

✅ write your first MySQL code

Then, you’ll learn how to create, use and delete the database.

Finally, you’ll dive into the fundamentals of SQL.

What MySQL developers are saying about Learn SQL using MySQL:

This book is recommended for beginners. It is a very good quick reference of MySQL…

– Denis Rodriguez

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3. PHP & MySQL in Easy Steps

↘️ Ideal for: MySQL newbies, PHP newbies
↘️ Topics covered: MySQL, PHP

PHP & MySQL in Easy Steps is similar to PHP & MySQL, but it’s a little easier on the wallet.

➡️ We think PHP & MySQL in Easy Steps is one of the best MySQL books for developers on a budget.

This book is ideal for developers who want to:

✅ add database interaction to their web sites

✅ create scripts to upload to their own ISP

✅ learn the fundamentals of server-side programming

And beyond.

Starting with the basics, you’ll discover how to install a free web server, the PHP interpreter, and MySQL database server.

Then you’ll learn how to write server-side scripts using PHP and make MySQL database queries.

In this easy-to-follow guide, you’ll find ample examples showing you how to produce data-driven web pages using PHP and MySQL.

What MySQL developers are saying about PHP & MySQL in Easy Steps:

Great book, easy to follow and includes lots of tips.

– Barr Howard

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4. Murach’s MySQL, 3rd Edition

↘️ Ideal for: MySQL newbies
↘️ Topics covered: MySQL, designing databases, professional skills

Murach’s MySQL is similar to Learn SQL using MySQL because you’ll learn MySQL through the scope of SQL.

But this book focuses more on MySQL instead of SQL.

➡️ We believe Murach’s MySQL is one of the best MySQL books for learning MySQL under the umbrella of SQL.

There is a wealth of MySQL information where you’ll learn about:

✅ triggers

✅ security

✅ functions

✅ summary queries

✅ stored procedures

And that’s just for starters.

You’ll also dive into newer MySQL features such as window functions and Common Table Expressions (CTE).

Then you’ll learn how to design a database.

Finally, you’ll have the option of learning about database administration.

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5. Learning MySQL: Get a Handle on Your Data

↘️ Ideal for: new and experienced MySQL developers
↘️ Topics covered: using MySQL, deploying databases, designing database infrastructures

Learning MySQL is a bit different than the other MySQL books on our list so far.

While the book does cover the basics of SQL, it’s only a small portion. The rest is dedicated to MySQL.

➡️ Learning MySQL is one of the best MySQL books for new and experienced MySQL developers.

You’ll get a detailed overview on how to set up and design a database using MySQL.

Starting with the basics, you’ll learn how to get started with MySQL and use it in production.

Then you’ll discover how to:

✅ code efficient queries

✅ design database infrastructures

✅ monitor and troubleshoot MySQL databases

✅ deploy MySQL databases on virtual machines and in the cloud

And much, much more.

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6. PHP and MySQL for Dynamic Web Sites

↘️ Ideal for: PHP and MySQL newbies
↘️ Topics covered: MySQL, PHP 7

PHP and MySQL for Dynamic Web Sites is similar to PHP & MySQL and PHP & MySQL in Easy Steps.

But it’s a little older, so uses earlier versions of PHP and MySQL. This can be beneficial if your team isn’t using the most up-to-date versions.

➡️ PHP and MySQL for Dynamic Web Sites is arguably one of the best MySQL books for learning PHP 7.

With step-by-step instructions, you’ll find a bevy of complete scripts and tips to guide you.

Naturally, you’ll first digest introductions to both PHP and MySQL.

Next, you’ll learn about core concepts like:

✅ jQuery

✅ session management

✅ object-oriented programming

And beyond.

Throughout the book, you’ll walk through sample applications to illustrate concepts.

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7. PHP and MySQL Web Development

↘️ Ideal for: PHP and MySQL newbies
↘️ Topics covered: PHP 7 and MySQL

PHP and MySQL Web Development and PHP and MySQL for Dynamic Web Sites both focus on PHP 7.

But this book has a bigger emphasis on larger projects.

➡️ We think PHP and MySQL Web Development is a rock solid choice for intermediate developers.

You’ll learn how to combine the powers of these tools to build interactive web applications.

After learning the setup of PHP and MySQL, you’ll learn how to work with a MySQL database. Then you’ll learn how PHP interacts with the database and the server.

Focusing on hands-on projects, you’ll build the following:

✅ user authentication

✅ web-based email

✅ social media integration

And a shopping cart.

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Best MySQL Books: Intermediate

Now let’s take a look at a couple of intermediate MySQL books.

8. Efficient MySQL Performance: Best Practices and Techniques

↘️ Ideal for: intermediate MySQL developers
↘️ Topics covered: best practices and techniques

Rarely is there an intermediate book for MySQL developers. In our opinion, Efficient MySQL Performance does an excellent job at hitting that sweet spot between the fundamentals and higher-level internals of MySQL.

➡️ Efficient MySQL Performance is possibly one of the best MySQL books for intermediate developers.

Learning best practices and techniques, you’ll learn how to improve performance by:

✅ optimizing data access

✅ analyzing query execution

✅ understanding MySQL metrics

And more.

You’ll also learn how various elements like replication and the cloud influence MySQL’s performance.

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9. MySQL 8 Query Performance Tuning

↘️ Ideal for: intermediate MySQL developers
↘️ Topics covered: improving execution speeds

MySQL 8 Query Performance Tuning is unlike any other book on our list. That’s because it focuses exclusively on improving execution speeds.

➡️ We believe MySQL 8 Query Performance Tuning is one of the best MySQL books for improving MySQL’s functionality.

Using a wide range of strategies, you’ll learn how to:

✅ improve slow queries

✅ analyze queries using tools

✅ choose queries to optimize

✅ monitor query performance

✅ deploy indexes and histograms

And beyond.

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Best MySQL Books: Advanced

Now let’s take a look at three MySQL books for advanced developers.

10. High Performance MySQL: Proven Strategies for Operating at Scale

↘️ Ideal for: advanced MySQL developers, database administrators
↘️ Topics covered: advanced techniques, scaling applications

High Performance MySQL is different than any other book on our list so far because it shows you advanced strategies for scaling your applications.

➡️ In our opinion, High Performance MySQL is one of the best MySQL books for advanced MySQL developers.

You’ll explore advanced techniques for tuning your server, designing schemas and beyond.

In addition, database administrators will learn how to scale applications through:

✅ failover

✅ replication

✅ load balancing

And more.

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11. Advanced MySQL 8

↘️ Ideal for: advanced MySQL developers, database administrators, data architects, database developers
↘️ Topics covered: scaling operations, database solutions

Advanced MySQL 8 is similar to High Performance MySQL because both show you how to scale operations.

But this book also shows you database solutions and how to reduce overhead business costs.

➡️ We believe Advanced MySQL 8 is one of the best MySQL books for learning advanced MySQL 8 concepts.

After exploring the new features of MySQL 8, you’ll learn how to analyze and optimize large MySQL queries.

You’ll also:

✅ monitor large distributed databases

✅ explore database recovery methods

✅ discover how to help critical data reach its full potential

And much, much more.

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And now, the last book in our list of best MySQL books…

Let’s take a look at the last (but not least) advanced MySQL book on our list.

12. MySQL 8 Cookbook

↘️ Ideal for: advanced MySQL developers, database administrators
↘️ Topics covered: MySQL recipes

MySQL 8 Cookbook is different than any other MySQL book on our list.

That’s because this book contains 150 recipes for improving administration and high-performance database querying.

➡️ MySQL 8 Cookbook is possibly one of the best MySQL books for learning methods for improving your MySQL abilities.

You’ll learn how to maximize your performance while:

✅ recovering data

✅ performing backup tasks

✅ setting up replication topologies

In addition, you’ll learn how to analyze slow queries using performance schema and various tools.

Finally, you’ll uncover how to manage and monitor your MySQL instance.

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Best MySQL Books: Conclusion

Today we looked at the best MySQL books including:

🔥 Best Overall 🔥
PHP & MySQL: Server-side Web Development

💥 Best for Newbies 💥
Learn SQL using MySQL in One Day and Learn It Well

💸 Best Value 💸
PHP & MySQL in Easy Steps

So whether you’re a beginner, intermediate or advanced, we think these are the best MySQL books of this year.

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Readers of Best MySQL Books are also reading:

• 15 Best SQL Books
• Best SQL Courses
• DataCamp: Introduction to SQL Course
• Joshua Otwell Interview: Back-end Web Developer
• 15 Best PHP Books
• 6 Best PHP Courses

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