Peter Robson – författare

For all the buzz about trendy IT techniques, data processing is still at the core of our systems, especially now that enterprises all over the world are confronted with exploding volumes of data. Database performance has become a major headache, and most IT departments believe that developers should provide simple SQL code to solve immediate problems and let DBAs tune any "bad SQL" later.

In The Art of SQL, author and SQL expert Stephane Faroult argues that this "safe approach" only leads to disaster. His insightful book, named after Art of War by Sun Tzu, contends that writing quick inefficient code is sweeping the dirt under the rug. SQL code may run for 5 to 10 years, surviving several major releases of the database management system and on several generations of hardware. The code must be fast and sound from the start, and that requires a firm understanding of SQL and relational theory.

The Art of SQL offers best practices that teach experienced SQL users to focus on strategy rather than specifics. Faroult''s approach takes a page from Sun Tzu''s classic treatise by viewing database design as a military campaign. You need knowledge, skills, and talent. Talent can''t be taught, but every strategist from Sun Tzu to modern-day generals believed that it can be nurtured through the experience of others. They passed on their experience acquired in the field through basic principles that served as guiding stars amid the sound and fury of battle. This is what Faroult does with SQL.

Like a successful battle plan, good architectural choices are based on contingencies. What if the volume of this or that table increases unexpectedly? What if, following a merger, the number of users doubles? What if you want to keep several years of data online? Faroult''s way of looking at SQL performance may be unconventional and unique, but he''s deadly serious about writing good SQL and using SQL well. The Art of SQL is not a cookbook, listing problems and giving recipes. The aim is to get you-and your manager-to raise good questions.

For all the buzz about trendy IT techniques, data processing is still at the core of our systems, especially now that enterprises all over the world are confronted with exploding volumes of data. Database performance has become a major headache, and most IT departments believe that developers should provide simple SQL code to solve immediate problems and let DBAs tune any "bad SQL" later.

In The Art of SQL, author and SQL expert Stephane Faroult argues that this "safe approach" only leads to disaster. His insightful book, named after Art of War by Sun Tzu, contends that writing quick inefficient code is sweeping the dirt under the rug. SQL code may run for 5 to 10 years, surviving several major releases of the database management system and on several generations of hardware. The code must be fast and sound from the start, and that requires a firm understanding of SQL and relational theory.

The Art of SQL offers best practices that teach experienced SQL users to focus on strategy rather than specifics. Faroult''s approach takes a page from Sun Tzu''s classic treatise by viewing database design as a military campaign. You need knowledge, skills, and talent. Talent can''t be taught, but every strategist from Sun Tzu to modern-day generals believed that it can be nurtured through the experience of others. They passed on their experience acquired in the field through basic principles that served as guiding stars amid the sound and fury of battle. This is what Faroult does with SQL.

Like a successful battle plan, good architectural choices are based on contingencies. What if the volume of this or that table increases unexpectedly? What if, following a merger, the number of users doubles? What if you want to keep several years of data online? Faroult''s way of looking at SQL performance may be unconventional and unique, but he''s deadly serious about writing good SQL and using SQL well. The Art of SQL is not a cookbook, listing problems and giving recipes. The aim is to get you-and your manager-to raise good questions.

Scots law on housing has altered in many ways during the 20th and early 21st centuries, and the rights of individuals to buy and rent housing have changed radically. While the picture is still scarred by homelessness, poor-quality housing and various forms of exploitation, the majority of Scottish residents in the 21st century have far greater protection than their forebears enjoyed at the start of the 20th. This book explains the extent and nature of these changes and sets out the current law relating to housing in Scotland. In addition to the constraints of the Rent Acts and the Housing Acts, there is now legislation to protect citizens from some forms of discrimination and abuse of their recognised human rights.

First published in 1968, this reissue is a study of contemporary international economic policy, with particular emphasis upon economic integration as a means of bringing about a faster rate of economic progress and of helping to overcome poverty. Peter Robson’s book is a study of the rationale of common markets and other forms of economic integration among African states and of their operation in practice.

The book will be of great value to those concerned with administering or assessing integration schemes in Africa and indeed in less developed areas throughout the world. In addition, it is an important contribution to the field of development economics.

First published in 1968, this reissue is a study of contemporary international economic policy, with particular emphasis upon economic integration as a means of bringing about a faster rate of economic progress and of helping to overcome poverty. Peter Robson’s book is a study of the rationale of common markets and other forms of economic integration among African states and of their operation in practice.

The book will be of great value to those concerned with administering or assessing integration schemes in Africa and indeed in less developed areas throughout the world. In addition, it is an important contribution to the field of development economics.

This reissue, first published in 1969 brings together structural and analytical studies of seven single African countries, together with two studies of groups of countries which, although politically separate, have in the past had close economic links. These countries are Algeria, Cameroon, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Nigeria and the Sudan. The groups are East Africa, comprising Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania; and Central Africa, comprising Rhodesia, Malawi and Zambia.The countries have been chosen to bring out the main contemporary economic issues arising in the efforts of the independent African States to achieve economic growth. The book will be invaluable to students and practicing economists concerned with Africa and the developing economies generally.

This reissue, first published in 1969 brings together structural and analytical studies of seven single African countries, together with two studies of groups of countries which, although politically separate, have in the past had close economic links. These countries are Algeria, Cameroon, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Nigeria and the Sudan. The groups are East Africa, comprising Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania; and Central Africa, comprising Rhodesia, Malawi and Zambia.The countries have been chosen to bring out the main contemporary economic issues arising in the efforts of the independent African States to achieve economic growth. The book will be invaluable to students and practicing economists concerned with Africa and the developing economies generally.

This reissue, first published in 1983, is an authoritative study of economic integration among the states of West Africa, focusing upon the issues and experience of the four main initiatives for regional integration in West Africa, namely the Economic Community of West African States, the Mano River Union, the Communauté Economique de l’Afrique de l’Ouest, and the recent initiative for the establishment of an economic and monetary union between Senegal and the Gambia.

This reissue, first published in 1983, is an authoritative study of economic integration among the states of West Africa, focusing upon the issues and experience of the four main initiatives for regional integration in West Africa, namely the Economic Community of West African States, the Mano River Union, the Communauté Economique de l’Afrique de l’Ouest, and the recent initiative for the establishment of an economic and monetary union between Senegal and the Gambia.