Newbie to SQL - Need to learn

[fallout1]

I've been given the opportunity to work in concert with our database programmer at work to assist in basic SQL queries and data pulls. He's willing to teach and help me a great deal but I think I need to do some work on my own as well to get some background (we'll be using MS SQL).

I currently have almost no understanding of RDMS principles outside of some rudimentary items I remember from taking MS Access in college (tables, rows, primary key,etc). That being said, I am at a loss for where to begin.

The books on Amazon seem hit or miss, the free courses on Coursera and Udacity say previous programming knowledge is necessary. What's the best way anyone can recommend I get started?

Thank you

 

[stlcardinals]

Get a book and setup a test enviornment.

This book, I believe, starts at no prior experience.

Head First SQL

 

[Blueoak]

If the database programmer has existing stored procedures, study those and look up terms you're unfamiliar with. You'll also get familiar with the database at the same time.

Book-wise: Look up Itzik Ben-Gan's books on Amazon. The one I cut my teeth on was Inside SQL Server 2005: T-SQL Querying. The most recent comparable edition is probably Microsoft SQL Server 2012: T-SQL Fundamentals. For a 2nd book Inside SQL Server 2005: T-SQL programming further increased my knowledge, but I don't know what the most recent edition is these days.

 

[Markbnj]

You can get SQL Server 2008 Express for free here...

http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=22973

And here's an article about how to install the Northwind and Pubs sample databases in SQL Server 2008 Express...

http://www.codeproject.com/Articles/42837/HowTo-Install-the-Northwind-and-Pubs-Sample-Databa

This is an interesting tool that you can use to create a database and experiment with queries in a browser window...

http://sqlfiddle.com/

 

[Broheim]

unless you'll be in charge of optimizing SQL queries or designing databases all you really need to get started is a RDBMS and a premade database for you to dump in there and dick around with. CRUD is stupid easy, a few joins are also easy, triggers and stored procedures are generally also easy to do but with a few caveats depending on database engine, views are generally also easy to do.

SQL is very easy what makes it hard is bad database design *thinks back to his "30 joins of doom query"* and optimizing your design.

 

[Broheim]

And here's an article about how to install the Northwind and Pubs sample databases in SQL Server 2008 Express...

heh, I remember using the northwind sample in school

 

[fallout1]

Thank you all for the replies--this is most helpful. I'll dive in and see what I can pick up--appreciate all the advice.

 

[Train]

You can get SQL Server 2008 Express for free here...

http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=22973

And here's an article about how to install the Northwind and Pubs sample databases in SQL Server 2008 Express...

http://www.codeproject.com/Articles/42837/HowTo-Install-the-Northwind-and-Pubs-Sample-Databa

This is an interesting tool that you can use to create a database and experiment with queries in a browser window...

http://sqlfiddle.com/

Unless there is a good reason to go with the 2008 version, I'd recommend 2012. Slightly improved in all aspects.

 

[ringtail]

consider looking into your local community college, see if it offers a database course.

important: start by learning how to structure a database (the subject is called "normalization"), which is a pencil & paper & reading exercise.

For my personal learning style, I found the books by rdbms genius Rick van der Lans best, even better than the O'Rielly books.

 

[cytg111]

just one little addition, i'd go with postgresql, open source and very advanced .. but for CV'in your experience sqlserver might be a better pick, it is just not very, "standardish".

 

[ringtail]

`


.

 

[ringtail]

just one little addition, i'd go with postgresql, open source and very advanced .. but for CV'in your experience sqlserver might be a better pick, it is just not very, "standardish".

Nay.

A N Y T H I N G like sqlserver that's hostage to the Microsoft monolith (evil galactic empire) is NOT "very advanced."

ALL the Microsoft stuff is designed to funnel users into Microsoft's empire...to CATCH YOU~into the Microsoft revenue-stream-farm!!!! Gotta catch-em-all pokemon!

As a "user" you're not a farmer, but you are one of Microsoft's millions of TURNIPS, smouldering under (no swearing in the technical forums) fertilizer.

Hey what can I say... I use Win7, haven't upgraded to Linux yet...no good excuse except, it's not about breaking out of the comfort zone, but rather it's that I just flat don't have time to re-learn old habits. So I can claim "too busy to learn linux" as my plausible defense. Shame on me. Hey smokemirrors bullshit it worked for clinton & obama...the plebes are so stuuuuupid.

Yea, the tired old dialog of "postgre or mysql" has been thor's-hammered-to-death and in the end, MySQL won, this whole Gaia earth runs MySQL, that's a fact...so if you wanna cling by yer last fingernail to some "postgre-is-better" foggy ideal, more power to 'ya....you are in the rear view mirror...the Fact IS: this world runs on MySQL. Simply over & done. MySQL is IT!

Except of course pitiful corporate cubefarmers who MUST use the Microsoft proprietary stuff---mssql....hahaha

No swearing in the technical forums, please. I would like to also say "lucidity required in the technical forums," but I am not sure that's actually true.

Markbnj
Programming mod

 

[cytg111]

Wtf ..


ill just wait till you get around to deleting that post too ;-).

 

[exloser]

A lot of people don't like this site but I think its good anyways - W3Schools. good starting point before moving on.

 

[Tweak155]

A lot of people don't like this site but I think its good anyways - W3Schools. good starting point before moving on.

I use this site whenever I can. Great resource.

 

[Bulldog13]

I liked this book: Database Design for Mere Mortals
http://www.amazon.com/Database-Desig...e+mere+mortals

It's kind of old, so you can get it cheap used.

 

[Jaydip]

I love this one, fascinating book
http://www.amazon.com/Introduction-D...words=c+j+date