Where do I use SQL?

Question

How do I go about using SQL? I just took an introductory course and learned some basics. and now I want to play around with it. But where or how do I get to "SQL". ha. I know how to get and use Excel: I buy it and install it on my computer. then I open a new doc and use it. How does this work with SQL?

Thanks

Answer 1

Since you brought up Excel, the proper MS Office tool to use a database is Access.



I myself use SQL when creating websites or apps; I write PHP or Java code that establishes a connection to the database server and creates / reads rows in the tables.



If you don't have Office, you can get XAMPP for free, it comes with an SQL db called MariaDB and phpMyAdmin, a browser-based database management tool where you can create tables and run queries on them.

Answer 2

Download MYSQL Community Server from here https://dev.mysql.com/downloads/mysql/



Download HeidiSQL from here https://www.heidisql.com/download.php



HeidiSQL is the front end for the MySQL server back end. The server comes with a front end(MySQL Workbench), but I find Heidi easier to use.



After you download the server and run the installer you will need to configure it. Just take all the default settings, but when you get to the part about entering the root password, make sure you're paying attention and write it down.



After configuring the server, run HeidiSQL and create a connection. The server you will connect with is 127.0.0.1 (your local machine), and you will use "root" as the user and the password you set when you configured the server.



MySQL ships with a couple of test databases so after installing and configuring you should be ready to play.

Answer 3

You could buy and install SQL Server from Microsoft. (And a client.)



But I'll suggest that you go Open Source, with MySQL, or MariaDB. Free to download and install, and you'll be able to practice your SQL query skills just the same.



I'm a Linux guy; that's what I use. There are Windows versions, but I won't be able to help you much. Google will get you plenty of resources.