Re: General SQL/ODBC question

From: Sue Hoegemeier (Sue_H_at_nomail.please)
Date: 01/14/05 

Date: Fri, 14 Jan 2005 14:51:08 -0700

Margaret,
A relational database is what stores all the data - it's
just a specific type of database. And a database is a
collection of information.
So in general, you first want a relational database. A
relational database will have a bunch of tables made up of
rows and columns. Data is stored in the tables. The language
you use to create/manipulate the tables, data, etc is SQL.
Once you get more into the SQL part, it will seem a bit more
familiar as they are some similarities with what you did in
SAS to how you retrieve records using SQL. But yes...you
will definitely want to read up some on relational
databases, what they are, how they work, etc. before
venturing into SQL.
This link might help you get started:
http://www.15seconds.com/issue/020522.htm
If you just spend some type search the web and reading some
of the definitions and introductions to relational
databases, that should help you get the basic understanding
of what they are.

-Sue

On Fri, 14 Jan 2005 12:55:06 -0800, MargaretM
<MargaretM@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:

>Thank you Sue, this information is very helpful. I think from your response
>that I do not have access on my PC to a relational database. If I do, I am
>not aware of it.
>
>I have limited experience with basic SAS programming and learned of SQL that
>way. So I (foolishly) figured all I needed to learn SQL was a query tool
>(such as MS Query like you suggested) and the scripts from this SQL book in
>order to create datasets to work with using SQL language.
>
>So I guess I was wrong, and I need to read up on relational databases, since
>I haven't a clue what that really means!!
>
>Thanks, and feel free to reply if you have any further advice or book
>suggestions!
>Margaret
>
>"Sue Hoegemeier" wrote:
>
>> Hi Margaret,
>> In order to practice SQL, you will need some type of
>> relational database to use. Query tools will connect to
>> databases in different ways - it depends on the tool and it
>> depends on what database you are trying to connect to.
>> In terms of MS Query, it comes with Microsoft Office. If you
>> have installed Office, search for the file MSQRY32.EXE
>> What database are you trying to use or do you have available
>> to use. Is Microsoft Access installed on your PC? You could
>> use that to learn SQL. Otherwise, you can download an
>> evaluation version of SQL Server. The link to register and
>> download the evaluation edition is:
>> http://www.microsoft.com/sql/evaluation/trial/default.asp
>> There is also a development version of SQL Server that you
>> can get for pretty cheap - it's just $50.00. You can find
>> more information on purchasing this version at:
>> http://www.microsoft.com/sql/howtobuy/development.asp
>>
>> How you do what and what query tools you use is really going
>> to be determined by what database you use. So you really
>> want to start there.
>>
>> -Sue
>>
>> On Thu, 13 Jan 2005 13:55:03 -0800, MargaretM
>> <MargaretM@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:
>>
>> >Hello,
>> >
>> >I do not have much of a programming background at all, so I am not sure how
>> >to ask this, so I will try to keep it brief:
>> >
>> >I am trying to teach myself SQL programming on my home PC using Windows XP
>> >(using the book "Teach yourself SQL in 10 min."). I searched my PC and do
>> >not have MS Query, but I downloaded George Poulose's free Query Tool from the
>> >web. I am trying to understand the requirements to get started, if that is
>> >even possible.
>> >
>> >I just would like to run the short example scripts in this simple book, to
>> >create simple tables. So I followed the book's instructions and went to the
>> >Windows explorer, found the Administrative Tools folder and found "ODBC Data
>> >Sources". However, this is where I get confused: I apparently need to select
>> >a driver and a connection to a database here in order to use the Query Tool.
>> >I am not sure what this means, and the Help menu here was not detailed
>> >enough. I do not think I have the 'database' required.
>> >
>> >Any advice at all would be greatly appreciated.
>> >Thank you.
>>
>>

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