[nfbcs] SQL training

Wed Aug 20 17:52:51 UTC 2014

If we're not careful, we're going to get into the old debate over 
whether a Comp Sci degree is valuable or not.

I'm with Bryan on this one. I have a story similar to his. I got on the 
mysql list and asked for advice on writing a particular query. This 
query was part of a web app so it had to be fast, almost instantaneous. 
  Several people told me it couldn't be done. It took me about a day and 
it ended up being about a hundred lines of SQL (no kidding) but it works 
fine. I couldn't have done it if I didn't understand relational 
databases so well.

If I was your boss, I'd want you taking a course, preferably at the 
local community college or tech school. Or even at a university if 
possible. A poorly designed relational database can cost the company a 
lot of money. On the other hand, I don't think it's a huge deal. A lot 
of people are totally self-taught and they do just fine. Even so, if it 
was my company, I'd want you to take a really good on-line course  or a 
course at a brick & mortar school.

PS: The query I mentioned returns classes in the course timetable that 
overlap in time based oninstructor and categories of classes. The 
instructor part isn't so hard. Obviously, you can't have an instructor 
teach two classes at the same time. But if, for example,  you don't want 
certain math courses taught the same time as certain physics courses, 
that's a little harder. Imagine a query that retrieves that information 
fast enough to be part of a live web app.

On 08/20/14 11:49, 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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