[nfbcs] SQL training

[Brian Buhrow]

	hello Tracy.  I'm not an IBM expert, but my quick  refresher read of
wikipedia suggests that VSAM is a storage mechanism which has IMS or DB2
built on top of it.  If you are familiar with using DB2 then you are
familiar with a relational database.  If you are only familiar with IMS,
then you are familiar with something known as a hierarchical database.
Hierarchical databases are quite different from relational databases.  If
IMS is your forte and DB2 is something you aren't that familiar with, I
think you'll find it very useful to take a class that discusses the
design concepts of relational databases.  You'll be familiar and
comfortable with many of the concepts of the relational database model, as
it's an extension of the hierarchical model in some ways, but some of the
concepts and design philosophy will cause you to have to rethink the way
you understand certain aspects of the database landscape.  I think a class
with a practical exercise component will be a faster more efficient way for
you to make the switch.  I won't say you can't learn it from a colleague,
I'm very fond of that method of learning myself, but I think you'll get a
deeper understanding of the fundamental differences between the two models
and this will help you "up your game" with respect to database work for a
long time to come.  I don't consider myself a database expert, but I do
know enough to say that good database skills will make you a very valuable
asset in the workforce.  You'll be a little like the fabled television
repair man who came to fix a broken television one fine day.  After
considering the broken set for a few minutes, he whacked the side of the
unit.  The TV began working immediately, the repair man left and the TV
worked flawlessly for a long time.  Several weeks later, the bill arrived
from the repair man.  "$100" is what it said.  The owner, outraged, called
the vendor to complain that all the technician had done was to hit his
television.  Several weeks later, a second bill arrived.  "Total cost:
$100.  Repairs include the following items: Hitting side of television:
$5.00  Knowing where and how to hit side of television: $95.00"

-Brian
On Aug 20, 12:49pm, Tracy Carcione via nfbcs wrote:
} Subject: Re: [nfbcs] SQL training
} 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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>-- End of excerpt from Tracy Carcione via nfbcs