How to make sense of it all? 1

[xomp]

I'm interested in programming in SQL but find a few key area's to be unexplained. First off I would like to design/code databases but don't know where to start to do this!

Would I need MS SQL Server 2005 to do this or just notepad or something?

Thanks

 

[AlexCuse]

If you need to create tables, etc... on the SQL side set up a pass-through query. This allows you to run commands such as DDL and stored procs kind of directly, rather than having to go through Jet.

I'd advise you to just do your table creations, etc... in SSMS or Query Analyzer.

[small]----signature below----[/small]
Majority rule don't work in mental institutions

My Crummy Web Page

 

[xomp]

So I'm thinking of taking a course in MCTS for SQL 2005. Thing is, it's going to cost me $3,075 to take this course and get the certification.

My question to everybody here is, should I pursue this? Or just study up on SQL 2005 and take the certification when I'm ready? Possibly saving more money this way?

Thanks

 

[SQLSister]

I wouldn't take the course. But the last time I took a training course like that (one that was Microsoft approved) it was a total waste of time and money. Didn;t cover anything but the most basic stuff that i already knew and none of the tricky stuff that might be on a cert test. I'm not a fan of cert tests anyway and I haven;t noticed that they give a career edge in the database world.

"NOTHING is more important in a database than integrity." ESquared

 

[xomp]

Yeah, I was afraid that it would be wasting my time as well. Since being laid off some 5 months ago, money is tight and if it doesn't give me any edge then I'd rather not go for it.

I still want to learn SQL badly though and possibly get a job involving it. What would be a good starting place to learn SQL?

 

[JoeAtWork]

Quite frankly my philosophy has been that if you buy a book (or several books) and can't learn from them, then a course isn't going to much more helpful. That may be my personal learning style, however.

I've always found the best way to learn is a combination of self-directed research and experimentation. On the first day of the job, chances are your assignment will not be of the "textbook" kind studied in the course (unless you work at video rental store that is still using a paper-based system and they want to upgrade to a computerized system - then just maybe). Just about every project I've ever worked on required me to learn something new, so if you are not already a self-learner then this career is probably not for you.