Please start any new threads on our new site at https://forums.sqlteam.com. We've got lots of great SQL Server experts to answer whatever question you can come up with.

 All Forums
 General SQL Server Forums
 New to SQL Server Programming
 Newbie Who Knows NOTHING.

Author  Topic 

Sleemie
Starting Member

4 Posts

Posted - 2012-09-02 : 13:17:21
The only thing I know about SQL is that there's the Server Admin side and the..i'm not even sure if the word "programming" is an accurate term. Is it called programming or would it be scripting? Anywho, my company uses a helpdesk program called CA Service Desk and I'm about to be trained to be an Admin for the system and I want to take it to the next level and learn how to do the SQL part of it also.

So, the question is what's the best way to go about learning "SQL?" I've found a couple of free online tutorials and have started learning the basic commands but I'd like the ability to really practice and build a functional database that I can actually use at work, like maybe a database of all of our contacts. What do I need to do this? I don't have access to a server so it would have to be something I could do on a PC. Not sure yet it I will have access to a Windows 7 box or XP. I've downloaded something called "MySQL Workbench" on my personal XP laptop but not sure if that would serve my purpose. Can I use Access to help with this? I understand you need some type of program that can interpret the SQL language on whichever box you'll be programming, scripting, writing on...whatever the correct term would be, and I thought I read somewhere that you could use Access for that.

Thanks for any info you can provide.

visakh16
Very Important crosS Applying yaK Herder

52326 Posts

Posted - 2012-09-02 : 15:43:09
MySQL workbench is client software so you would still need a server to connect to
There are various types of Dstabase Management systems which you can use for learning SQL (Structure Query Language). MySQL is one such system. This is MS SQL Server forum which deals with MS SQL Server (another type of DB system which is from Microsoft). If you want to get start on MS SQL Server you've free version called SQL Server Express available which you can use for creating small sized DBs and start off your learning

http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=29062

You can install SQL Server Management Studio thats included in above link to connect to server and do activties like create db,tables, write scripts etc. Make sure you select appropriate type based on your processor (32 or 64 bit)
In such case you can post your doubts here and there are lot of SQL Server experts here who would be able to help.
If you're installing MySQL you might have to try posting on some MySQL forums as there are not enough people knowing MySQL here

the below is a very good link to get started on SQL

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



------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SQL Server MVP
http://visakhm.blogspot.com/

Go to Top of Page

Sleemie
Starting Member

4 Posts

Posted - 2012-09-02 : 15:55:01
Thanks a bunch for the message. I only installed MySQL because as the title of my post stated I know nothing so I didn't know the difference between MySQL and MS SQL and I assumed that all of the commands and structure were the same for MySQL, MS SQL and all the other flavors of SQL. I'm assuming when you say connect to a server that the MS SQL link you gave me will allow me to configure a Server on my XP machine and not have to actually connect to a physical server??

That's exactly the site I've started out with and so far it's been pretty good. Once I see how things progress I'll decide whether or not to buy a book or an online class or which route to go.

Go to Top of Page

Sleemie
Starting Member

4 Posts

Posted - 2012-09-02 : 15:57:40
P.S. Just went to that link and there are a number of different programs for my 32 bit system, which one do you recommend?
Go to Top of Page

visakh16
Very Important crosS Applying yaK Herder

52326 Posts

Posted - 2012-09-02 : 17:44:46
quote:
Originally posted by Sleemie

Thanks a bunch for the message. I only installed MySQL because as the title of my post stated I know nothing so I didn't know the difference between MySQL and MS SQL and I assumed that all of the commands and structure were the same for MySQL, MS SQL and all the other flavors of SQL. I'm assuming when you say connect to a server that the MS SQL link you gave me will allow me to configure a Server on my XP machine and not have to actually connect to a physical server??

That's exactly the site I've started out with and so far it's been pretty good. Once I see how things progress I'll decide whether or not to buy a book or an online class or which route to go.




yep...you're correct

you can install the express server in your XP machine itself and connect to it using management studio which can install using installer available in above link

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SQL Server MVP
http://visakhm.blogspot.com/

Go to Top of Page

visakh16
Very Important crosS Applying yaK Herder

52326 Posts

Posted - 2012-09-02 : 17:48:35
quote:
Originally posted by Sleemie

P.S. Just went to that link and there are a number of different programs for my 32 bit system, which one do you recommend?


you can select any of x86 versions based on whether you need only DB services or reportings services and other features. The explanation of installers is given further down in page.

In any case you need to install last x86 installer which will give you management studio to connect to the server unless you select WT version which includes it already

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SQL Server MVP
http://visakhm.blogspot.com/

Go to Top of Page

Sleemie
Starting Member

4 Posts

Posted - 2012-09-02 : 17:50:58
I might not have formed that question correctly. I meant can I do everything on one machine? Have it act as a server as well as a place to practice the programming stuff. Looks like 12 is not compatible with XP.

Go to Top of Page

visakh16
Very Important crosS Applying yaK Herder

52326 Posts

Posted - 2012-09-02 : 17:54:57
quote:
Originally posted by Sleemie

I might not have formed that question correctly. I meant can I do everything on one machine? Have it act as a server as well as a place to practice the programming stuff. Looks like 12 is not compatible with XP.




yep...you can install both in same machine
hmm...thts true...Sorry i missed that
if its XP you can install 2008 R2

http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=23650

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SQL Server MVP
http://visakhm.blogspot.com/

Go to Top of Page

jackv
Master Smack Fu Yak Hacker

2179 Posts

Posted - 2012-09-03 : 01:40:33
quote:
So, the question is what's the best way to go about learning "SQL?" I've found a couple of free online tutorials and have started learning the basic commands but I'd like the ability to really practice and build a functional database that I can actually use at work


When you do the install - make sure Books Online is installed. There is plenty of very good information about SQL Server concepts. Invest the time in reading

Jack Vamvas
--------------------
http://www.sqlserver-dba.com
Go to Top of Page

naag
Starting Member

1 Post

Posted - 2012-09-03 : 05:51:54
hi...even me too beginner for sql ...plz cn u guide , hw to learn..already using w3school but still im not getting exact abt sql...


nagg
Go to Top of Page

Transact Charlie
Master Smack Fu Yak Hacker

3451 Posts

Posted - 2012-09-03 : 06:48:08
quote:
Originally posted by naag

hi...even me too beginner for sql ...plz cn u guide , hw to learn..already using w3school but still im not getting exact abt sql...
nagg



1) Stop talking like a txt spk addicted moron
2) What are you having a problem with?
3) Do you have somewhere to play around?

Transact Charlie
Msg 3903.. The ROLLBACK TRANSACTION request has no corresponding BEGIN TRANSACTION.
http://nosqlsolution.blogspot.co.uk/
Go to Top of Page

jackv
Master Smack Fu Yak Hacker

2179 Posts

Posted - 2012-09-04 : 01:05:02
naaq, if you don't have access to any version of SQL Server to experiment , download SQL Server Express, and beging to work through some basics.

Jack Vamvas
--------------------
http://www.sqlserver-dba.com
Go to Top of Page
   

- Advertisement -