Learning SQL

N00bie

N00bie

N00bie

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Joined
10 Mar 2007
Posts
750
Location
Milton Keynes
Hey Guys,

Learning SQL at the moment i have watched TrainSignal videos and now have the software however i have no database to import :(

Can i produce one VIA SQL and then start using Queries to learn the language?

And any sites or books people can recommend would be highly welcomed also

Regards
 
Which SQL server are you using? MySQL, MSSQL, PostgreSQL etc.

If you're using Microsoft's SQL Server then you can get a full featured sample database, AdventureWorks, from here.
 
Sweet im using Microsofts 2008 R2 edition atm.....so ill download these.

So once i have downloaded these samples i guess i can start learning all the commands and then once im competant enough with this i could do the Certification?
 
Yep I should think so. Pretty much all Microsoft examples use the AdventureWorks database anyway, and probably the exams (I haven't done them.. should get onto my boss really).

AdventureWorks is great becaues it contains a whole sales system, so you have tonnes of stuff to look through.
 
Are you looking to become a DBA or similar? If so you'll need to know SQL inside out.

If you're looking to become a developer, you'll only really need to know the basic syntax for UPDATE, INSERT, SELECT, JOIN, UNION etc, how to create stored procedures/triggers and how to create/restore backups.
 
Spunkey said:
Are you looking to become a DBA or similar? If so you'll need to know SQL inside out.

If you're looking to become a developer, you'll only really need to know the basic syntax for UPDATE, INSERT, SELECT, JOIN, UNION etc, how to create stored procedures/triggers and how to create/restore backups.
Click to expand...

If you're looking to become a developer I'd argue that you need to know SQL inside out! The amount of time wasted by ridiculous SQL queries I've seen written by "developers" is quite amazing.
 
jamief said:
If you're looking to become a developer I'd argue that you need to know SQL inside out! The amount of time wasted by ridiculous SQL queries I've seen written by "developers" is quite amazing.
Click to expand...

I'd agree tbh. As a web developer I'd say you need to know SQL as well as html/css.
 
jamief said:
If you're looking to become a developer I'd argue that you need to know SQL inside out! The amount of time wasted by ridiculous SQL queries I've seen written by "developers" is quite amazing.
Click to expand...
I agree. I think maybe I phrased my first post incorrectly.

As a developer you need to know how to get data out of a SQL server database. You need to know how to write the most efficient SELECTs, UPDATEs, etc and you need to know about data normalisation. You need to know the implications of running sub-queries and how to optomise them, and where and how to set up indexes.

As a DBA you need to know how to setup the database to make it run the fastest it possibly can, replication, synchronisation etc.
 
As a DBA I think the developers should keep the ~@:! away from my databases :D

The ideal (i.e. fantasy) situation is that developers provide their data requirements to DBAs who then provide an interface via stored procedures or WebServices. This means developers need know very little about the database and SQL.

Back in the real world, if you are going to do the development work and write your own queries then you really do need to know SQL pretty well. Not just your standard SELECT UPDATE INSERT DELETE but also security/permissions, SQL injection attacks, Schemas, Backup types and all that good stuff.

Basically if you have a DBA get them to do it all for you, if not then no half measures - you need to be the DBA. It's not just poor queries you see, it is poor database design, ill-thought out back up solutions, lack of security, no redundancy, etc. If you do the training and get certification your well on your way and it will be well worth the time investment.

Anyway DBA rant over. :)
 
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