.

Soon i have to run some standalone application (off-topic)
that uses some simple SQL (database).

I was wondering if by coincidence someone here
knows anything about that...so i could ask for a little (basic) help ?


Radio

I probably know even less about SQL than you do. But my first instinct would be to Google -- there must be dozens of SQL primers out there.

What do you need to know?

@Brucee
Shure i will Google first
and see if i can digest some basics.


@Larry
ok thanks...i have no questions yet
but they might be coming next week.

If any of you happen to know where to find a good
absolute-beginners-basic-principles tutorial
then that might be of help...no need to Google for me...just if you happen to know.


Greetz

Radio

I haven't bought an SQL book in quite a while. My first was SQL Unleashed from SAMS. I have also found the O'Reilly series to be good references.

If you plan to use SQL on a server, you will also need to know a server-side programming language since SQL is only method to talk to a database. It does not directly access the database, but rather is the means by which a programming language, such as PHP or ASP, accesses the database.

If you have a particular database application in mind, it is possible that an application has is already available, or something similar to what you want. A good starting point to check what is available for PHP is PHP Classes. Browsing does not require an account, but will need to sign up for a free account to download.

Thanks Larry,

I dont have much time left to order (and try) books
so some website with basic SQL tutorial would be better.
dont worry i find that.

This is about some software (nothing to do with websites) that already runs
and indeed the SQL already exists...i was told to do some specified changes
in that SQL to make it do what i want it to do.

Its just a few lines...and i like to understand what
these SQL-instructions/commands exactly do and how a SQL-file is set up in general
(start, headers, end...etc)
so i could if needed further improve/adjust it.

Most of it are application specific instructions
not general SQL-language (if that exists anway)

In this case the software also has a control panel with many buttons and fields (GUI ?)
by using the SQL you can preset/preprogram certain functions instead of using that control-panel.

So if you wanted changes all you would need to do is change the SQL
to make it do something else...instead of going trough many manual steps at the panel.
You can even create new functions/tasks that dont exist at the panel.


So if i cant figure out all of it...i come back and ask (next week)

Greetz


radio

Hello Radio;
I do have a few book on the subject. It tends to look really scarely, as I know nothing about SQL. SQL FOR DUMMIES.....me (brand new, never opened).

http://h30187.www3.hp.com/all_..._category/model_desc

If the link above doesn't work try using HP Online Classes. They do have a wide range of tutorials and courses and short tutorials on a hundred subjects. It has the correct prerequisited for me--free, no deadling. Check it out. I've done about sixty of them, but went with the photography and Photoshop Classes.

As for the SQL, we can give this a shot-- If you want to try to ask a question that I may be able to look up in the book, but only if you use layman's terms.

I'VE FOUND THE FOLLOWING:

Relationship Database Fundamentals
SQL Fundamentals
The Components of SQL
Building & Maintaining a Simple Database
Structure
Building a Multiple Database
ask away
Gypsy

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Gypsy Miles From Nowhere,

Thanks Gypsy,

I dont see anythuing on SQl at that link.

but i will use your search terms to find more on it

Radio

A friend has bought the book at:

http://www.sitepoint.com/books/phpmysql4/

I've downloaded the freebie chapters....& am impressed enough to buy the PDF download version.

Anyone else have comments on this? Is it worth it? I find it very easy-going & readable.

mccifa

Dave, I took a look at the free chapters they provided. If I had to buy this as my first book, I would. And seeing that it offers a money back guarantee, you can't lose.

I personally would install the XAMPP pacjage of Apache/PHP/MySQL instead of the author's WAMP package as I have found the XAMPP setup program makes everything as painless as possible. The XAMPP package is also free.

I would also recommend installing the Aptana web development IDE package as an PHP editor. It uses a built-in server, supports PHP, and once you have MySQL installed, you have a complete development environment for free.

Also, the MySQL site provides a free package of tools that contains a MySQL Administrator, MySQL Query tool (which allow to to build and test SQL in addition to browsing your tables) and a Migration tool. The Admin and Query tools function as a local version of phpMyAdmin used on your site.

Larry is correct in suggesting the XAMPP package, and if memory serves me right, I think there is an optional package that includes phpMyAdmin.

If not, after installing your Web Server, MySql and PHP, you can go to http://www.phpmyadmin.net and download the phpMyAdmin installation package for free.

Just remember to unzip the package into the directory where your Web Server looks for your local web page files. You can then configure phpMyAdmin to communicate with your MySql installation.

Thanks very much guys for your comments and recommendations. Looks as though I'll have my head stuck in a book for a while!

Doug, a friend and neighbour, discovered this book and has obviously found it enlightening. BTW, he's a convert from Dreamweaver to SS and runs a number of small sites for friends and family.

I will be sorting out the downloads you have suggested and I've passed your comments on to Doug as I don't think he yet visits these boards.

mccifa

phpMyADmin is bundled in the XAMPP package, but for local work, I prefer the MySQL admin/query tools since they work directly with the mysqlnt.exe server and do not require a PHP layer.

If you're thinking of installing XAMPP and you have a 64 bit system, you'll have a bit more work to do. There isn't an "automatic" installation of XAMPP for 64 bit machines as far as I can tell. This site will walk you through the steps to get it installed and working (I haven't done it so I can't testify that it will work). Of course this presumes you have a 64 bit Windows machine.

I'm running the latest XAMPP package on Win 7 64-bit. This is a 32-bit version and not a full 64-bit implementation, but it is stable and I have not noticed any speed loss or memory constraints. The only issues I have run into so far is the latest PHP release they include is 5.3 which "breaks" a few PHP scripts based on the older 5.2 version due to deprecated functions.

Then I stand corrected Larry. I haven't tried installing XAMPP on my Win 7 64 bit system as of yet. I figured I'd wait until I get the "live" version in October.

I need to mention that the latest XAMPP release (1.7.2) is only available in the full install configuration; no update package is available yet. So if you have an older version installed, you will need to rename or remove the existing folder location before installing the new.

Good Morning Radio;
Thanks to the awesome link that Larry gave you, I went over and had a look. I did copy some links out for you, and if you want to give me your email at tanzilla2004@hotmail.com, I will forward my HP Newsletter with no problem at all. You can then use the links to get too the courses pages should you want to.

Diane
Gypsy Miles From Nowhere

Thanks...when i'm ready i let you know

http://search.hp.com/redirect....eg_R1002_USEN&pos=20

Http://search.hp.com/redirect....reg_R1002_USEN&pos=1

http://search.hp.com/redirect....reg_R1002_USEN&pos=2

http://search.hp.com/redirect....reg_R1002_USEN&pos=5

http://search.hp.com/redirect....eg_R1002_USEN&pos=10

http://search.hp.com/redirect....eg_R1002_USEN&pos=15

http://search.hp.com/redirect....eg_R1002_USEN&pos=17

http://search.hp.com/redirect....eg_R1002_USEN&pos=20

I went as high as 50 results on the site search, but there were a LOT more. My experience with HP is that their online courses are free, but I don't know too much about the SQL or PHP stuff they have there.

There is so much more here. About three years ago now, I downloaded a program that sounded interesting. I should never have done that as it was not something that would work with my system. I used the ADD/REMOVE amd was confident that it would fix the system. All it did was to make things worse. I had taken it off and all problems were solved. Thet wasn't even a close approximation. Removing the program took a whole lot of stuff that it shouldn't have.

Everything I did brought me more errors. I contacted MS, HP, Dell, MSDN and more. The moment the word 'SQL' spilled from my mouth, it was like I dad dropped a bomb into a room. Total silence on the subject.

No one in the realm of personal/business computing even seemed to know what I was talking about and to this date, I'm not exactly sure what it is or does myself. I was lost completely, and no one was of much help about it either--even the computer shop acted like they had no idea.

I ended up wiping out the whole system and reinstalling everything. It was about two months after that everywhere I looked there it was SQL. Made me pretty angry at the time. Now it's just another common houshold word. Go figure, the story of my life.
People are going to think I'm selling the program here, believe me I am not. The courses I've taken so far have been: free, no deadlnes. Check it out, you may be surprised. I still do have a few books here on the subject, so fell free to ask. You do not have to own an HP program or system to take any of these courses which is all the more incentive.
Have a good day



GOOGLE
HP Online Courses
SITE SEARCH SQL or PHP