Is mysql 5 that much different than 4.0+? Q Re: Certification

[jbh]

Hello,

I was considering getting a study guide to help with the mysql certification exam. At first I see one for what seems to be mysql 4+. AN older version that rates highly on amazon.

However, I later found on another site the mysql 5 certification book. Now, do you feel it is best to just learn mysql 5 and study that? Or would my 4+ knowledge be acceptable in today's world? I don't use mysql 5 and have no idea what the differences are.

Thank you

[r937]

mysql 5 is a lot different from mysql 4, lots more features

[longneck]

also, the course tracks have changed. if you're the kind of student that needs specific study guidelines to take a specific test, then the mysql 4 cert books won't help you.

[stymiee]

What's new in MySQL 5

[jbh]

Hi,

I am not focused on 'new things' such as transactions and what not (surely I am not capable of testing for those topics). What I want to know is if the things in Mysql 4 that one can master (such as joins, select, inserts, create - any type of actual syntax)....all become irrelevant or stay the same in mysql 5. Because if select statements/queries are different, I might as well learn mysql 5 and prepare for the future.

That's my concern.

[stymiee]

AFAIK the SQL syntax should remian unchanged.

[r937]

no, the stuff you would learn in 4 is all still valid in 5

if you are not yet familiar with joins, for example, it doens't much matter whether you learn them from a 4 book or a 5 book

[jbh]

Ok, terrific. So if I take the 4 certification, the core basic stuff stays the same, just more advanced features seem to be added (thanks to the link posted above)

Since my clients and most job opportunities seem to rely on 4, I guess it's best I take that first and in a few months, if I am comfortable, take 5.0

Does that sound logical? or is 5.0 really becoming mainstream now?

Thank you VERY much for your time. All of you.

[r937]

version 5 is in production status, but you won't find many people on it (some hosts don't even offer it yet)

so i would go with the 4 training for now

[longneck]

my opinion: if you have the mysql 4 cert books already then go for it, but if you have to go buy something then get the 5 books.

[jbh]

Hrm. Yeah, I don't have any of the books yet. I know I can get the 5.0 sent faster.

I might just get the 5 and bone up on the things that are not deprecated I guess and practice 5.0 on my pc as my host doesn't have it available.

Thank you so much.