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General discussion (archive)Need some help with SQL(16 posts)(16 posts)
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Posted February 26, 2013
Hello everyone,
Sorry to bother you but I am wondering, is anyone aware of good book/tutorial/video tutorial for learning SQL? I have found a few, but I have no idea of their actual quality and I was hoping someone here has already some good experience with any of them and that said person could assist me on my quest to find one that would help me. I will be using SQL through Microsoft Server 2008, thank you for your help.
Posted February 26, 2013
Anyone?
Posted February 26, 2013
I just used this. It's done its part.
Posted February 26, 2013
SQLCourse is the one I liked for the basics.

As for things beyond the basics and MS specific stuff, it was usually Stack Overflow or Google.
Posted February 26, 2013
O'Reilly. I got this one and it's pretty good, for the basics, though it's largely MySQL oriented. Look through some of their T-SQL books and read the reviews there.

SQL is complex. I wouldn't trust learning it from snippets on the web, unless your requirements are very simple.
Posted February 26, 2013
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Fenixp: I just used this. It's done its part.
What part? The basics or what?
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samlii: SQLCourse is the one I liked for the basics.

As for things beyond the basics and MS specific stuff, it was usually Stack Overflow or Google.
Thank you I will check it out
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BoxOfSnoo: O'Reilly. I got this one and it's pretty good, for the basics, though it's largely MySQL oriented. Look through some of their T-SQL books and read the reviews there.

SQL is complex. I wouldn't trust learning it from snippets on the web, unless your requirements are very simple.
High School requirements and it is my main learning field (not sure how to say it) alongside with programming so I would say basics to advance skill level is needed, but I need to grasp the basics first.
Posted February 26, 2013
Oracle puts out a free course for students - powerpoints and worksheets. It's not easy to follow all the time without some instructor guidance but it will get you through the basics. Check to see if your school participates - I think it's a small annual fee that they charge to the school. Failing that, the following site is pretty good at explaining the basics;

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

I've used them as a resource for other languages - not in-depth but enough to get you started. And if you can get a basic copy of SQL developer, you'll find it's a bit easier to learn on than any version of Server.

You can get a free copy of SQL Developer here;

http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/developer-tools/sql-developer/overview/index.html
Post edited February 26, 2013 by Momo1991
Posted February 26, 2013
For basics you could start with this: http://w3schools.com/sql/default.asp
I know the site is aimed primarily at webserver content, but the SQL stuff should be okay to start with.

Hah, how about that? Momo1991 gave the same link as me at the same time. :)

Oh, you say you are using MS SQL Server, which does have some (minor) differences to Oracle SQL.
Post edited February 26, 2013 by korell
Posted February 26, 2013
Be wary of w3schools. Much of the stuff is good but every once in a while they steer you wrong.

Whatever you do, get yourself started and familiar with SQL, and work your way towards some of C.J. Date's books/videos. I would love to get my hands on this one: http://shop.oreilly.com/product/0636920002710.do

I saw it on sale for $99 a while back, but I really wasn't prepared for it. He also has a book http://shop.oreilly.com/product/0636920022879.do

These aren't for the beginner though!
Posted February 26, 2013
If it's MS SQL Server that you're aiming for then the generally accepted expert text on it is "Inside SQL Server" by Kalen Delaney. However it's an expert text, I'm not sure how well you'd get into it. It's one to remember about for the future though.

If you're just aiming to learn the ins and outs of a SELECT statement, and get a grip on joins, the best way is to try things out. Decide what you want to achieve, then read up on websites as to why it's difficult. For the fundamentals then just the msdn forum will have an answer to your question.

You'll almost certainly soon encounter the classic problem of wanting the most recent entry from another table for each of your records, and all the other knots that we tie ourselves in because we're too afraid to denormalise. just reading answers from MVPs is a good way to learn, they tend to put some explaination in rather than just a "not possible".

Also, check out http://sommarskog.se/ for a number of really well researched and explained articles on subjects such as Dynamic SQL. You might not be there yet, but it's good to get an idea of how SQL Server experts think, and the information is useful.

If you're having any specific difficulties, feel free to PM me. I've been using SQL Server for the last 10 years, and I am sure I could answer any questions.
Posted February 26, 2013
Im trying to learn QGIS-PostgreSQL-PostGIS combo myself :)

Some of the stuff is pretty easy, while some are pretty damn arcane.
Posted February 27, 2013
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wpegg: If it's MS SQL Server that you're aiming for then the generally accepted expert text on it is "Inside SQL Server" by Kalen Delaney. However it's an expert text, I'm not sure how well you'd get into it. It's one to remember about for the future though.

If you're just aiming to learn the ins and outs of a SELECT statement, and get a grip on joins, the best way is to try things out. Decide what you want to achieve, then read up on websites as to why it's difficult. For the fundamentals then just the msdn forum will have an answer to your question.

You'll almost certainly soon encounter the classic problem of wanting the most recent entry from another table for each of your records, and all the other knots that we tie ourselves in because we're too afraid to denormalise. just reading answers from MVPs is a good way to learn, they tend to put some explaination in rather than just a "not possible".

Also, check out http://sommarskog.se/ for a number of really well researched and explained articles on subjects such as Dynamic SQL. You might not be there yet, but it's good to get an idea of how SQL Server experts think, and the information is useful.

If you're having any specific difficulties, feel free to PM me. I've been using SQL Server for the last 10 years, and I am sure I could answer any questions.
Thank you, I need it mainly for studying purposes and I cant possibly bother you with everything so those learning materials will be useful.
Post edited February 27, 2013 by Detlik
Posted February 27, 2013
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iippo: Im trying to learn QGIS-PostgreSQL-PostGIS combo myself :)

Some of the stuff is pretty easy, while some are pretty damn arcane.
How/where do you learn it?
Posted February 27, 2013
If you want SQL Server you want TransactSQL and most any O'Reilly book for beginners should be just fine.
Posted February 28, 2013
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iippo: Im trying to learn QGIS-PostgreSQL-PostGIS combo myself :)

Some of the stuff is pretty easy, while some are pretty damn arcane.
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Detlik: How/where do you learn it?
At the work, from pretty much thin air. I am the only one QGIS user and no one hasnt used PostgreSQL / PostGIS either. Also the trouble is that because of some server issues, it seems we have to use old 8.4.x and 1.5.x versions. Hopefully we will find way around that at some point.

Luckily we do have some other people who are good with MySQL, so I am not totally out in the open by myself - but almost :)

I think ill need to buy couple books sooner or later.
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General discussion (archive)Need some help with SQL(16 posts)(16 posts)
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