14 Sep 08
Have you done any form of programming before? Not that it really matters, basic SQL is the easiest thing I ever learned to do.
Basic SQL reads almost like pseudo-code and is very easy to understand. Obviously it can get more interesting (read: complex), but you should be able to get some decent returns on your time within just a day of playing around with it. You probably won't need links to any tutorials as google is your friend here.
Practice is best, as with all 'programming'. Do you have MSO Access or OpenOffice with Base that you can use to quickly get out of the blocks with?
Don't know anything about PL\SQL though.
14 Sep 08
1 edit
Originally posted by CrowleyI know how to program in C/C++ (a lot better in C), Fortran and LateX. I've seen a little bit of SQL on the internet and it didn't seem hard at all but I really don't know how to get started: What to install and how to get a propper DB so I can play with things a little bit.
Have you done any form of programming before? Not that it really matters, basic SQL is the easiest thing I ever learned to do.
Basic SQL reads almost like pseudo-code and is very easy to understand. Obviously it can get more interesting (read: complex), but you should be able to get some decent returns on your time within just a day of playing around with an use to quickly get out of the blocks with?
Don't know anything about PL\SQL though.
I have OpenOffice but just let me check out if I have Base in it or not? I suspect not though...
Edit: Just reinstalled OO with Base on it.
14 Sep 08
Originally posted by adam warlockWeird skillset mixture you have there 😕 Where do you work?
I know how to program in C/C++ (a lot better in C), Fortran and LateX. I've seen a little bit of SQL on the internet and it didn't seem hard at all but I really don't know how to get started: What to install and how to get a propper DB so I can play with things a little bit.
I have OpenOffice but just let me check out if I have Base in it or not? I suspect not though...
Edit: Just reinstalled OO with Base on it.
Nowadays I only use MySQL but used to do a bunch of VBA programming in Access. If you'd like to learn standardized SQL, Access is only good as a starting point and I have never actually used Base - I just know you can use SQL queries in it...
You're gonna need a practice DB to get strted, but it's weird - I couldn't find any online now...
14 Sep 08
Originally posted by CrowleyI've learned all of those while on my degree on physics. Fortran because that's what my teachers used to use back in the days and some of them refuse to learn C. C/C++ because that's what most physicists use today and some teachers are aware of it and teach it to us (and also because I had a programming teacher that was from the Informatics department). And Latex so I could write up my reports once I got fed up with MS Word.
Weird skillset mixture you have there 😕 Where do you work?
Nowadays I only use MySQL but used to do a bunch of VBA programming in Access. If you'd like to learn standardized SQL, Access is only good as a starting point and I have never actually used Base - I just know you can use SQL queries in it...
You're gonna need a practice DB to get strted, but it's weird - I couldn't find any online now...
I thought I couldn't find a DB because I wasn't being so smart (please read being dumb) but if you can' find it either I guess I'm not that bad after all.
Tomorrow I'll try to see if I can get some good info on this.
And I don't even like programming... 😞
Ps: Thanks for the help
14 Sep 08
1 edit
Originally posted by adam warlockWell, here's an OOo tutorial which would get you started at least: http://wiki.services.openoffice.org/wiki/A_club_membership_database
I've learned all of those while on my degree on physics. Fortran because that's what my teachers used to use back in the days and some of them refuse to learn C. C/C++ because that's what most physicists use today and some teachers are aware of it and teach it to us (and also because I had a programming teacher that was from the Informatics department) ood info on this.
And I don't even like programming... 😞
Ps: Thanks for the help
Just found an easy way to get a test DB going.
Open OOoBase, click on 'Connect existing DB' and select Thunderbitrd / Outlook addressbook - if you use either, else this will obviously not work.
Then just save .odb file somewhere and voila - a test DB to play with.
14 Sep 08
1 edit
Is it specifically PL/SQL that you want to learn? As far as I understand, PL/SQL is the name given for Oracle. Basically meaning an extension on from SQL including procedures, functions and triggers.
There are equivalent for other database management systems, like Microsoft SQL Server.
Before getting onto PL/SQL, you need to understand about databases in general. Like referential integrity, primary and foreign keys etc. MySQL is a good place to start. Considering you are experienced in C++, you should pick it all up quite easily.
Edit: Also did a degree in Applied Physics, although any programming there that was covered was Fortran. Didn't do any database stuff. This was over 13 years ago though. 😕
14 Sep 08
Originally posted by adam warlockSQL is Structured Query Language and PL/Sql is an Oracle extension that provides procedural stuff to wrap the SQL in.
So I need to learn SQL and PL/SQL and I don't even know what's that all about. So does someone know any good online tutorial?
Thanks.
If you're new to PL/Sql then this book
http://tinyurl.com/5shlec
is probably a good start - although it's not as up-to-date as it should be.
Get SQLdeveloper too - a useful free tool from Oracle - http://tinyurl.com/kr63y
It makes a big difference as to which version of the Oracle database you'll be using. The PL/Sql engine varies a lot in capabilities even on the same database version just depending on the method of execution (Pro*C being different from SQL*Plus, being different again from Oracle Forms).
15 Sep 08
Originally posted by adam warlockif you're not extremely picky about dealing with satan, try Sql Server 2005 express edition(well because it is free 😀) don't forget to download and install the Sql Server Management Studio and the sample database Microsoft is offering. (one is called Northwind or the newer one AdventureWorks me thinks).
Thanks to all of you for your troubles. I'll check all of your links and see if I can get this started. If problems arise I'll shall post them here.
The reason i am suggesting this is because the Microsoft msdn online thingie is really helpful and a search on msdn would yield forum questions and answers too, so whatever your problem is, quite probably others had it first(and were answered). And another reason is that Sql documentation without doing the examples on a sample database is like learning how to build a space shuttle from a "for Dummies" book.