The Basics of SELECT-SQL 1

[AndrewMozley]

I am looking for a book or downloadable document or pdf-file describing the basics of the SELECT-SQL statement : Syntax and how to use it. Grateful for any recommendations.

Tamar Granor’s book “Taming Visual Foxpro’s SQL” has been recommended. How can I obtain a copy (paper or pdf) ?

Thanks - Andrew

 

[Koen Piller]

Hi,

http://www.hentzenwerke.com/catalog/tamingvfpsql.htm

and the help file with VFP is also very helpful, look for Select - SQL command

Regards,

Koen

 

[AndrewMozley]

Thanks Koen

I have followed your link and been able to download a zip file which contains a pdf file of Tamar’s book. However that file is password-protected. Do you know how I can obtain a password - I am happy to pay.

I have spent a little while navigating the Hentzenweke site but have not been able to discover how to buy the book. Do you know how one does that?

Thanks again. Andrew

 

[Olaf Doschke]

Following the link from Koens link...

http://www.hentzenwerke.com/buy/zbuy.htm

Bye, Olaf.

Olaf Doschke Software Engineering

https://www.doschke.name

 

[Mike Lewis]

Andrew,

Much of the information in Tamar's book can also be found in her articles and conference papers. Here are a few links to get you started:

http://www.tomorrowssolutionsllc.com/ConferenceSessions/Learn to use SQL.PDF

http://www.tomorrowssolutionsllc.com/ConferenceSessions/Making the Most of SQL-SELECT.pdf

http://www.tomorrowssolutionsllc.com/Articles/SEEK vs.PDF

http://www.tomorrowssolutionsllc.com/Articles/Do More with VFPs SQL Commands.PDF

The first of those is a particularly good introduction.

Mike

__________________________________
Mike Lewis (Edinburgh, Scotland)

Visual FoxPro articles, tips and downloads

 

[Mike Lewis]

Andrew, I would also suggest that you don't necessarily restrict yourself to VFP's implementation of SQL SELECT. As of VFP 9.0, VFP closely follows the ANSI standard for SQL, for which there is a great deal of information available on-line and in print. Look for articles about Microsoft's SQL Server, for example (but those focusing on the language rather than the tools or development environment).

And here's an article by yours truly which compares the SQL Server version of the language (which is called T-SQL) with VFP's:

http://www.ml-consult.co.uk/foxst-38.htm

Mike

__________________________________
Mike Lewis (Edinburgh, Scotland)

Visual FoxPro articles, tips and downloads

 

[Olaf Doschke]

There also is a section called "SQL Syntax" in the FAQ of this forum. It's not very comprehensive and basic and handles some topics multiple times, like finding duplicates.

I agree with Mike you find a lot explained in the net, what's mainly different in VFP is you can make use of VFP functions, including user-defined functions. And of course VFPs multi-line concatenation with semicolons, what's the end of a command in many other languages including many SQL dialects.

Bye, Olaf.

Olaf Doschke Software Engineering

https://www.doschke.name

 

[AndrewMozley]

Thanks, Mike, for the suggestion of Tamar’s article. Have downloaded and printed the first one, which is pretty comprehensive, although there is quite a lot of background on other dialects of SQL - it is maybe intended for a wider audience. But I am finding it useful.

And thanks for the suggestion of the Hentzenweke site for getting a copy of the ‘Taming SQL’ book. I may be reading it wrong, but that site suggests that – even for the pdf file - you should download an order form, print it out and send it by post with a cheque in US$, which is not quite so simple. Have you bought a book from Hentzenwerke recently – is there a way of completing the transaction on-line? The book does not apppear to be available from Amazon.

Thanks, Olaf for mentioning the SQL section of the FAQs for VFP. As you mention, it is quite specialised, but may come in useful.

Andrew M.

 

[Koen Piller]

Andrew,
to order an E-book with Hentzenwerke, which is preferable, as than you will also have lots of example codes to your disposal, is quite easy. The site says:

If you absolutely, positively need just an ebook, you can order the old-fashioned way by downloading a paper order form (.DOC file) here, filling it in and sending it to books /at/ hentzenwerke.com after zipping it up.

Payment? No, we don't take PayPal (they're still EVIL), our ebook-only customers have had good success with using an Amazon gift card. Use this 'books /at/ hentzenwerke.com' email address.

Regards,
Koen

 

[Mike Lewis]

Andrew,

I see Tamar's book is available for download here:

https://www.scribd.com/document/84160547/Taming-Visual-Foxpro-SQL-Real-World-Data-Solutions-for-Vfp

I'm not sure how the site works, but it appears that you need to sign up for a free trial in order to read it.

As far as Mr. Hentzen is concerned, I think what he is saying is that you can order the e-book from him, and pay with an Amazon gift card. You will need to download the DOC order form, fill it in, and email it back. You then order the gift card from Amazon (note: that's Amazon.com , not Amazon in the UK), and have them email it to Hentzen.

Note that whatever mechanism you use to purchase the book, it is not really an e-book. It is merely a PDF file. You can read it on your computer's screen, but you can't comfortably read it with an e-book reader such as a Kindle.

Mike

__________________________________
Mike Lewis (Edinburgh, Scotland)

Visual FoxPro articles, tips and downloads

 

[Olaf Doschke]

Hi Andrew,

I second Mike, the page I linked to had the same text Mike quotes here.

Bye, Olaf.





Olaf Doschke Software Engineering

https://www.doschke.name

 

[TamarGranor]

AFAIK, neither Whil nor I get paid anything from the Scribd link. Looks like some random user uploaded it. I'll check in with Whil and most likely, send a take-down notice.

Tamar

 

[Mike Lewis]

Tamar, yes, do consider a take-down notice. If I had known this might have been a pirated copy, I never would have posted a link to it.

Mike

__________________________________
Mike Lewis (Edinburgh, Scotland)

Visual FoxPro articles, tips and downloads

 

[TamarGranor]

Poked around and talked to some people and it appears ScribD is full of pirated stuff because they let just anyone upload. Looking at my options.

You might want to search your own name there. (I haven't looked, but I know you have papers on your website.)

Tamar

 

[tomk3]

Hello,

Depending on your basic SQL-knowledg this may be a good start

https://www.w3schools.com/sql/

Later on Tamors book.


Best regards
tom

 

[Koen Piller]

Tom,

Looks good, however I believe this is more for M$Access users than for VFP users. Would prefer Tamar's and Mike's in order not to confuse with the different languages for a starter.

Regards,
Koen