IT guys, Need a bit of help

[esaabye]

Couple of free resources to get you started...

http://www.microsoft.com/Sqlserver/2...ess.aspx#learn
http://www.microsoft.com/express/Database/

SQLExpress is the free MSDE rev of MS SQL, regardless of what anyone may think of MS business practices, MS SQL is the place to start vs MYSQL or Oracle. The fundementals are the same but MS SQL is more marketable. Oracle pays better but requires higher level of experience to get in the door and has less market traction.

[Hoosier]

regardless of what anyone may think of MS business practices, MS SQL is the place to start vs MYSQL or Oracle. The fundementals are the same but MS SQL is more marketable.

That depends entirely on the area of industry you're working in. In the UNIX server arena (very popular for internet stuff) you'll find MySQL, Oracle, and PostgreSQL are in high demand, and MS SQL is non-existant in UNIX networks.

He's said he's specifically interested in MS-SQL though, and I'm certain you can get jobs with that knowledge set. The interesting bit is the desire to learn SQL outside of it's application through programming languages.

If you aren't writing programs that use SQL, then you're essentially looking at a DBA type job, and you'll want to focus as much (or more) on the administration tasks as the actual Structure Query Language itself. While "SQL" is a defined standard and each SQL server adheres to it to a reasonable degree, the administrative tasks vary wildly from server to server.

I'd suggest, in addition to books, that you download the software and get it running on a local machine. As someone else mentioned, I believe you can get the software for free in a non-commercial setting (e.g. teaching yourself how to use it). Once you have it up and running, you'll want to do things like create extremely large tables (You can download sample data from the internet) and then practice doing things like backing up databases, restoring databases, all maintenance tasks. Try corrupting the database intentionally and seeing if you can use the recovery tools. Nothing beats hands on experience in the sticky bits that aren't done frequently, but when needed are crucial to know.

Sorry for switching pronounces from "He" to "You" here, makes it a bit confusing who I'm talking to.

Good luck!

H.

[Molon_Labe-1775]

That depends entirely on the area of industry you're working in. In the UNIX server arena (very popular for internet stuff) you'll find MySQL, Oracle, and PostgreSQL are in high demand, and MS SQL is non-existant in UNIX networks.

He's said he's specifically interested in MS-SQL though, and I'm certain you can get jobs with that knowledge set. The interesting bit is the desire to learn SQL outside of it's application through programming languages.

If you aren't writing programs that use SQL, then you're essentially looking at a DBA type job, and you'll want to focus as much (or more) on the administration tasks as the actual Structure Query Language itself. While "SQL" is a defined standard and each SQL server adheres to it to a reasonable degree, the administrative tasks vary wildly from server to server.

I'd suggest, in addition to books, that you download the software and get it running on a local machine. As someone else mentioned, I believe you can get the software for free in a non-commercial setting (e.g. teaching yourself how to use it). Once you have it up and running, you'll want to do things like create extremely large tables (You can download sample data from the internet) and then practice doing things like backing up databases, restoring databases, all maintenance tasks. Try corrupting the database intentionally and seeing if you can use the recovery tools. Nothing beats hands on experience in the sticky bits that aren't done frequently, but when needed are crucial to know.

Sorry for switching pronounces from "He" to "You" here, makes it a bit confusing who I'm talking to.

Good luck!

H.

This. Get an instance of linux / unix up and running and install mysql on it.
There are more books out there than you can shake a stick at. One of your best resources will be SQL and MYSQL user forums and groups.

[Hoosier]

This. Get an instance of linux / unix up and running and install mysql on it.
There are more books out there than you can shake a stick at. One of your best resources will be SQL and MYSQL user forums and groups.

OP said he's looking specifically to learn MS-SQL. MySQL would give him hands on experience with the guts of SQL itself, the SELECT UPDATE DELETE CREATE that is really the meat and potatoes.

However he said he doesn't want to learn it in conjunction with programming, so I'm guessing that part is less important than the noodly bits around administration, and in that regard MySQL won't help much with MSSQL

H.

[CrufflerSteve]

In the UNIX world, Oracle is very big. Their SQL wasn't at all SQL compliant but more recent versions are getting closer. I don't know if this is true anymore but they used to have a free download for personal use on Linux systems. I installed on on my home machine with Red Hat years ago. Oracle DBA's make good money but their certification courses take awhile and cost big $'s.

You do have to check out any of those private places. They tend to cost a lot and you want to make sure you are getting your money's worth.

Steve

[vim]

Check out the book "Database Design for Mere Mortals."