Help and Advice re: SQL Training Options

DampCat

DampCat

DampCat

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Hi.

I'm looking to get a qualification with regards to SQL, and perhaps XML on a lesser scale. Ideally it'd be industry recognised, rather than some bloke teaching people in his kitchen, knaw mean?

I've done some research online and i'm concerned with a few things.

1. Cost. A couple of course are offering 1 or 2 day courses with prices exceeding £3,000. I appreciate that a qualification will cost money, but I could do a masters at University for less than that. If i was going to be investing that much money, wouldn't it make more sense to do a longer, more reputable (?) course at a college or learning centre?

2. Time. I work full time and reducing those hours is not an option. I could possibly negotiate a day off per week, but i'm unsure what salary remifications that would come with, and i wouldn't want to take a loss too heavy. Evening courses are clear winners here.

What would you qualified people reccomend? I honestly have no real idea what i'm looking for. I'm only really interested in the afforementioned SQL and XML, but would it make more sense to look at courses with more options included? Do microsoft offer just like an SQL section of the MCSE? Is working full time and not wanted to spend a fortune really limiting me and making it unrealistic?

Any help or advice here would be greatly appreciated. I know the obvious thing would be to learn by myself, but honestly i would greatly benefit from having an industry recognised qualification and i'd be willing to invest in one.

thanks
 
£3,000 for a 2 day course? Outrageous.

Get yourself a book called "SAMS teach yourself SQL in 21 days" you get a free 120-day licence for the software, work on that for a couple of hours a night and you will be a lot better off (in every way) than the clowns who spend 3K.
 
I wouldn't have thought being qualified in SQL is that important in terms of job prospects. You can learn SQL easily enough, surely thats what matters when it comes to putting it on your CV?
 
Indeed, the knowledge and practical ability is what's important, at the end of the day... it's just i dont have any qualifications to offer, and i feel it's going to restrict me before i get the chance to haggle at interviews.

I'll be moving abroad at some point, and i'd like to stay in the sort of place where i am now. SQL and general database management/implementation would be a ncie area to work in, and i'd kinda like a certificate to be proud of.

Thanks for the idea Jock Dodds. Luckily i have SQL Server 2005 Professional under the microsoft student offer :)
 
When you say SQL what do you mean? MSSQL? MySQL? Postresql?

Also do you mean as a developer or administrator? A DBA can command quite a high salary for not really doing a lot *ahem :D*
 
DampCat said:
Thanks for the idea Jock Dodds. Luckily i have SQL Server 2005 Professional under the microsoft student offer :)
Click to expand...

Well that's all you need. Look around for the best book (there is always one which stands out) and use it. Microsoft SQL is not hard to learn, it can take a while to master but you can pick up enough to blag your way through in under a month. Take it from me.
 
JBod said:
When you say SQL what do you mean? MSSQL? MySQL? Postresql?

Also do you mean as a developer or administrator? A DBA can command quite a high salary for not really doing a lot *ahem :D*
Click to expand...

I dont know! This is exactly what i mean!

MSSQL would be it's most basic form right? So perhaps i should aim for this. Offshoots or variants can be learned afterwards in my own time. As for developer or administrator... i dont really know what the difference is. At the moment part of my job is to basically make databases to assist in statistical analysis. I'm pretty good at making databases but i'm using Access, and VB. I know Access is a joke when it comes to real programmers so i'd like to actually know something worthy of respect (read: pay rise).

Again with the teaching myself, i'm fine with that, but i'd really like an actual qualification if i can get one, and i'm wondering if someone would point me in a direction to explore.
 
Well MySQL, Postgres etc... are not offshoots of MSSQL.

A developer (in this sense) is someone that programs in something such as PERL, PHP etc... and uses a database backend for whatever applications they are writing.

A DBA (Database Administrator) manages the database server(s)/cluster on a daily basis (backups, optimisation, capacity planning etc..).

If you simply want to learn simple SQL syntax it is pretty much the same across all different types with just a few variations.
 
Microsoft do a certified DBA course, similar to the MCSE.

For future reference MSSQL = Microsoft SQL, aka SQL Server, comes in flavours such as 97, 2000, and 2005.
 
There's a lot more to MSSQL than just just learning T-SQL, and it's certainly not just a means to becoming a php/asp/.net developer. I've known a few guys who were full time SQL developers.

Sure you can get by learning the basics and running Selects and Inserts and the odd Stroed Procedure, but if you want to be a SQL god you need to know how best to setup the server, performance monitoring, security, clustering, backups, data design and normalisation and so on.

OP - are you looking to become a web/application developer or a SQL developer? If the former, don't bother with a course, just learn the basics with a book as 99% of the time it's all you'll need.
 
What does "making databases" mean? I think you need to clarify what you want to be able to do. Program in T-SQL? Optimise T-SQL produced by others (which would be a DBA type job), administer databases?
 
I'm really just interested in database management, rather than develping web or applications. I was advised (perhaps poorly?) that if i want to get into database management as a career (i only dabble in it right now to make my life/co workers lives easier. i dont really know much) it'd be useful to learn SQL.

It sounds like something i would be interested in so i'd like to pursue it. I honestly don't know what SQL language i should use, or stuff like that, which is why i'm after advice ;)

Should i stick to access? :( it sucks so much :( Some of my databases have hundreds of thousands of records in and grind and grind to produce the stats i want them to. I cant help but think that if i had knowledge of a more advanced database system or programming i coul dbe way more efficient. I also dont want to stay in this job forever and figured database development would would be a decent career path for future endeavours.
 
jamief said:
What does "making databases" mean? I think you need to clarify what you want to be able to do. Program in T-SQL? Optimise T-SQL produced by others (which would be a DBA type job), administer databases?
Click to expand...

by "making databases" i was referring to what i do currently, not what i want to do with SQL. As far as OPtimising or Administering, wouldn't i need the same knowledge for both?
 
Ok, thanks. I'm going to grab a couple of books also and start having a fiddle. fnarr.

Perhaps if i have some understanding of the product, it would make it easier to make an informed decision on what i want to do with it.
 
Spunkey said:
Sure you can get by learning the basics and running Selects and Inserts and the odd Stroed Procedure, but if you want to be a SQL god you need to know how best to setup the server, performance monitoring, security, clustering, backups, data design and normalisation and so on.
Click to expand...

You are referring to a DBA not a "SQL developer". Personally I am a MySQL DBA. You may refer to me as God if you wish.
 
Do you want to hire me then and provide on the job training? Here's a Mini CV:


Rhys Cartwright.
No Relevent Skills.
Poorly Dressed.
Will probably leave the country in less than 3 years.



How'd i do? ;)
 
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