Learning SQL - some basic help needed plz..

londonman81

I'm about to start learning SQL and I've had a preliminary look through the net for information.

There's plenty of sites showing me the code needed to add and manipulate data usign SQL, but these basic things are still bugging me:

1.Where do I actually type the code into? Is there a program?

2. Where does the database get stored?

Any help appreciated!

Thanks!

timbim_2

Not much help, but the database is stored on the server, most hosts will limit the number and size that you are allowed.

bonzer

Which database software are you using? Are you using a database on a web hosting service or one installed on your own PC?

londonman81

bonzer wrote: »

Which database software are you using? Are you using a database on a web hosting service or one installed on your own PC?

I want to create one on my PC just to get practise at SQL coding. But where do I type in the code??

bonzer

You need to install some database software to manage your database and that will process your SQL. MySQL is a popular free choice.

www.mysql.com

Tigert

You will need to install a database first. I suggest you google MySQL for a free one. Without that you will get nowhere.

There is a windows version which is reasonable easy to get working if you understand databases.

Your post implies you are starting from scratch, therefore I'd suggest you get a book that takes you through the setup and then teaches you SQL.

epz_2

If i were you I would build a linux box, its much easier having a real server than a windows box which is pretty hostile to the cli.

it could even be a virtual machine if required, its rediculusly easy to install oracle on ubuntu these days and free if its for personal use.

also check out dbdesigner as a nice way to visualise the tables and the theres a java program that oracle ship that makes it easier to see stuff than sqlplus.

the 1st bit you should get your head round is the principles of how tables relate to each other and how to use joins properly, the hardest bit of learning stuff like this i found was not having any data to query or idea what i should be doing.

swvillafan

A good pack for mysql is Xampp.

This comes with all you need to get started including Mysql,PHP & the Apache web server.

There are plenty of websites to help you install it and get started. Once its installed you can access Mysql via the windows command prompt and start creating. There is also a windows gui for creating tables etc although its good practice to know some of the commands aswell.

As for learning there is a wealth of info on the net. I've just started learning myself but find books easier to take in. If you're after a good book look for ones by a guy called Larry Ullman, very good!

Best of luck, what will the database be for?

jamalfatty

For someone starting out, I'd definitely suggest using MS Access to begin with if you already have it as part of Office. Dead easy to create queries using the GUI within it and then you can have a look at the SQL it generates to get used to what does what.

I think for a complete beginner as the initial post suggests, going straight into installing and using Linux/mySQL etc would only confuse things even more.

I would also suggest getting some sort of book on the subject to use as a reference when you inevitably get stuck

epz_2

IMHO access prety much teaches you how to use access and later on vba, as a rad and quick way to manipulate dta its great but if you want to learn sql then odds are its to get a job. In that case a proper db is the way like oracle or postgresql are the way to go, possibley mysql depending on what your interested in.

goonerAFC

You should install phpmyadmin to. It allows you to administrate your databases.