[nfbcs] SQL training

[Tami Jarvis]

Tracy,

Since you already know how databases are organized and how they work, a 
good book or tutorial along with advice from colleagues would probably 
do you. SQL itself is relatively simple and straightforward to someone 
experienced in programming, or at least it seems to to me. Between 
database engines, the differences in syntax are slight, so it's easy to 
just learn what is different and remember that. If I'm trying to do 
something really clever and tricky, I can get hung up on the logic of 
joins or unions or whichever, especially since I'm not using it all much 
these days. But usually, once I get the logic of how the data relates, 
writing the code is then easy. You should be able to pick it up pretty 
quickly.

Tami

On 08/20/2014 09:49 AM, Tracy Carcione via nfbcs wrote:
> Hi Bryan.
> I have been working with databases for 25 years.  Our current system uses
> VSAM, but the old one used IMS, which was a lot more powerful, mainly
> because I could add indices or even whole databases..  Anyway, I think I
> have a good understanding of that kind of database.  Are relational
> databases so different that a whole class would be useful?  I'm willing to
> take one if that's so, but if I can get the same info talking to a
> colleague for an hour or so...
> 12 hours quicker, ay?  Impressive!
> Tracy
>
>> 	hello tracy.  If you're interested in taking a class to learn SQL,
>> I suggest looking around for a class on an introduction to databases
>> in general with an emphasis on the particular database you're using at
>> work.  SQL syntax isn't that hard to learn from books and the like, but
>> gaining a broader understanding of database designs, structures and use
>> cases is.  Most database engines in common use today use SQL to manipulate
>> their controls and import and export data.  I would imagine, then, that
>> you
>> might find a class at a local community college entitled something like:
>> "A
>> practical introduction to databases using MYSQL" or something like
>> that.   Such a class would be exactly what you need to get started down
>> the path of becoming a database and SQL techie.  I can tell you from
>> experience that having a good understanding of how relational databases,
>> and this is what all of them are these days, is invaluable when it comes
>> to
>> learning and using SQL syntax effectively.  Early in my career a colleague
>> gave me a 10 minute lecture about how to construct queries against
>> relational databases.  I was able to take the knowledge gleaned from that
>> discussion and rewrite a report generator we used in a production
>> environment in such a way that its execution time was  reduced by 12
>> hours.
>> That's powerful medicine and it gave me a new respect for database
>> experts.
>> 	By the way, it's worth mentioning that it would probably be best if
>> you can get a class that uses the same database engine you use at work for
>> its practical exercises, but if you can't find one that's convenient or
>> workable, taking a class that teaches the general concepts but uses a
>> different software package will still provide you a valuable benefit.  The
>> concepts will be directly transferable to the software you use at work.
>>
>> Good luck and let us know what you find.
>>
>> -Brian
>> On Aug 20, 11:09am, Tracy Carcione via nfbcs wrote:
>> } Subject: [nfbcs] SQL training
>> } I need to learn SQL.  I've got some time to do it.  I've been studying
>> } books and making some progress, but the boss has just offered to pay for
>> a
>> } course, if I find one that's worthwhile.
>> } Has anyone found a SQL course that was useful?  Or have people just
>> } learned from books and co-workers?
>> } Tracy
>> }
>> }
>> }
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>>> -- End of excerpt from Tracy Carcione via nfbcs
>>
>>
>>
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