Wanting SQL training 5

[Krystoff]

Hello all,

I am an MIS Analyst up in Seattle WA and I am looking to get into SQL programming. I am currently working with MS Access as my primary Database Language.

I know there has to be classes out there that do nothing but teach SQL but every time I look into it, I find nothing but 2 - 4 year degrees. There are no pure classes that I can take at night. I don't really have the time or the money to take a 2-year degree but there has to be some other type of alternative.

Does anyone know of any SQL University or somewhere I can go to get some SQL training?

Any help is appreciated!

 

[iSeriesCodePoet]

... to what level are you looking? Most classes teaching SQL are database classes.

There are hundreds of books on SQL that are quite good. As a suggestion, do NOT use access for learning SQL. It does not adhere to the standard SQL. Try MySQL or something like that. Mike Wills
IBM iSeries (AS/400) Programmer

http://www.koldark.net

 

[Krystoff]

I'm not sure what level I would like to take my SQL to but I really would like to be able to program with it. I have quite a bit of computer experience, however most of it is work/home experience. I have used BASIC, C, C++, FOCUS, and VBA to code in although I have never gotten really far in any of those languages (Due to time pressures mostly)

I might try the book but I would like a little more structure and also helpfull feedback as well that you can't sometimes get from a book. If I have to I will use a book to learn though.

So far I haven't tried to use Access to learn SQL code. I use Access queries, macros, and modules to code in and make my Databases. Thanks for the tip though!

 

[dwmatteson]

Hi Krystoff -

You might consider taking a course in Access SQL programming from the HTML Writer's Guild:

http://www.hwg.org/services/classes

If you're not a member, I think it runs around $100 and it takes 6 weeks. It's not high-level training, but it provides a structure that works to get you started. If it hasn't changed, the course is based around the "Using SQL: Special Edition" book from Que (ISBN: 0789719746).

Alternatively, you could try a (free) on-line tutorial:

http://www.sqlcourse.com

If you're not really familiar with relational database design, I'd recommend Whitehorn and Marklyn's Inside Relational Databases (ISBN: 1852334010). It's general enough to provide a good start with relational database theory, but it's also Access-centric enough to be useful to Access developers.

Finally (sorry for being so verbose!), if you've got a handle on relational database design and you're looking for something to get started with and keep as a reference, I'd recommend Ben Forta's "Sams Teach Yourself SQL in 10 Minutes" (ISBN: 0672321289).

Hope that helps!

Don

 

[iSeriesCodePoet]

I am not sure if I am confused or if you are.

"I'm not sure what level I would like to take my SQL to but I really would like to be able to program with it."

SQL is not a programming language, it is a query language. It is a universal language used to query databases. Sorry if you knw this. It just seems to me that you are expecting it to be a programming language. Once you get into SQL you will find it easy to learn. Once you understand joins and unions. There is little you can't do when you need to retrive data. Mike Wills
IBM iSeries (AS/400) Programmer

http://www.koldark.net

 

[Krystoff]

Don,

Thanks for the book help and the links to the SQL Internet training. That should give me a good overview and start me on the basics of SQL. Don't worry about being verbose, the more information I get the better informed I will be and can make a much better decision.

Mike,

I am most likely the one that is confused! When I say program in SQL, I mean write SQL statements. Learn that language that drives SQL. One of the things I am woefully ignorant is how to display the data that you get once you have succesfully queried a database. I am not sure if SQL has a built in GUI (Like Access)or if you have to use a different one.

 

[iSeriesCodePoet]

It all depends on the server and other software. I would say MS Access will give you a start for learn DB concepts. But for SQL get a SQL server like MySQL. It is an open-source DB server that should handle all of your learning needs. Mike Wills
IBM iSeries (AS/400) Programmer

http://www.koldark.net

 

[Krystoff]

Great! Thanks for all of your time getting through my confusing thoughts!

Chris

 

[neillovell]

http://www.w3schools.com/sql/default.asp

is very helpful and will give you the info you need.

 

[codehead]

Oracle offers a course. It is expensive, but worth it if you ever plan to use Oracle:

http://education.oracle.com/web_pro....redirect?dc=D11782GC11&p_org_id=1001&lang=US

 

[brightstar]

i learnt SQL through Learning Tree in London.
Tbey tell me they are huge in the states. Over here their courses are about £1000 a week, but they are good.
no idea if there is one near you. Alternatively there are loads of local providers over here ranging in price from "come to my house and i'll show you what to do" to "get a huge loan and we'll fill your head in a a day" do you not have the same over there?
i would also recommend starting off in Access but progress to SQL Server as soon as you understand the database side of it - then you will be able to create proper databases ( access front-end with SQL Server back-end) after that learn a bit of VB and you got yourself some serious earning power - well in the UK at least.