Getting started on SQL?

Question

I'm trying to learn SQL. Can someone explain to me what it is and how to get started. Do you need an IDE like Eclipse for Java? Like maybe some analogies compared to Java. What I'm getting confused on on is the different MySQL, SQL Server, and Access. Are they different codes in addition to SQL?

Answer 1

SQL stands for Structured Query Language. It's the language used to interact with a database.



MySQL, SQL Server, Access, Oracle, Sybase, etc. are RDBMS - Relational Database Management System.



All of those RDBMS understand basic SQL queries, but there are some specifics to each of them that the others don't support, like T-SQL (Transact-SQL) with Microsoft SQL Server. You won't be able to use the exact same T-SQL commands that you use in SQL Server on say, an Oracle database.



There are tools for writing SQL and managing databases, like Microsoft's SQL Server Management Studio.



Comparing it to Java is difficult because they're very different in purpose. I suppose you could say that in a Java program/applet, you can insert SQL to interact with a database. But you cannot do the inverse (insert Java code into SQL code).



The way I'd recommend learning SQL is with Access. It has a decent GUI to help you understand how databases and tables are linked, how to write standard SQL code and to learn the Normal Forms.

Answer 2

I use SQL, PHP, and MySQL. It's not my fault there are dishonest, and ignorant people in this world.



SQL is used to access, and manipulate databases, and this is common sense. I would not expect anyone to know what I know!



I use SQL with PHP to access, and manipulate my databases. James, you don't know squat. Check the w3schools website before claiming you know something when in fact you can't prove you know it.



If you don't know html, and css, then your just going to make your reality a calamity. The End!





What is SQL?



SQL stands for Structured Query Language

SQL lets you access and manipulate databases

SQL is an ANSI (American National Standards Institute) standard









Do you need an IDE like Eclipse for Java? No.



Like maybe some analogies compared to Java. What I'm getting confused on on is the different MySQL, SQL Server, and Access. Are they different codes in addition to SQL?



MySQL, SQL server, and acccess are different databases, and not codes.



I think you should start to learn HTML, and CSS, and then learn PHP, SQL, and MySQL.



I know you can use PHP, and SQL with MySQL, but don't learn any of these three topics now. First learn HTML, and CSS.

Answer 3

SQL is a database language, used to manage databases in different programs, it consists of a basic set of commands that you send to the database server basically to tell it what to do with the data, MySql is usually used in web applications with php etc... it's very light compared to SQL Server; which in addition to the basic SQL commands has it's own structural language called Transact SQL and it's a lot like a programming language on its own.

I suggest you to start with Mysql that uses the web browser as ide, you have just to install wamp server if you're on windows, it comes with MySql server.

Answer 4

Try this for start: http://www.sql-ex.ru/learn_exercises.php