November 24, 2009 at 5:26 am
I'm looking for some good "free" training to get me started. Can anyone point me in the right direction? I'm a SQL Virgin and need to pick up after installing the software. Thanks in advance for any and all feed back. And I'm sorry if I missed the answers in another post.
Wow!!! Thanks for all the great input. I have downloaded 2005 express and I'm ordering SQL 2005 For Dummies. I have been looking at all the great info on this page and in the forum, but I still don't know enough to follow any of the information. I'll take all of your advice and come back when I know a little more.
Thanks again
Rich
November 24, 2009 at 5:35 am
What sort of free training are you looking for?
There are some training videos in this site also, but they are on a topic wise,
and do not follow a traditional training curriculum.
If you are good in reading, understanding and practising the concepts,then Books Online (SQL Server Online Documentation) is the best way to start (since it is free).
I am planning to come up with basic series of simple, short SQL Server training lessons / videos, next quarter. You can always visit my site and post you newbie questions if you feel interested..:-)
Blog -- LearnSQLWithBru
Join on Facebook Page Facebook.comLearnSQLWithBru
Twitter -- BruMedishetty
November 24, 2009 at 8:26 am
Create a practice database for yourself, and put in sample inventory of things around your house (item #, price, qty ....). Think about how it should be organized. Write some queries to get totals, do backups, delete data, restore it ......
November 24, 2009 at 10:36 am
A good, free T-SQL tutorial is here:
http://www.w3schools.com/SQl/default.asp
Itzik Ben-Gan's Book: Microsoft SQL Server 2008 T-SQL Fundamentals is a great book even if you have some experience.
November 24, 2009 at 11:34 am
I would also suggest reading the Articles posted here at SSC. Some articles are geared toward training, while others may be more in-depth. Pick a topic, read an article, and test the information presented in the article in your database.
Jason...AKA CirqueDeSQLeil
_______________________________________________
I have given a name to my pain...MCM SQL Server, MVP
SQL RNNR
Posting Performance Based Questions - Gail Shaw[/url]
Learn Extended Events
November 24, 2009 at 12:58 pm
Download SQL Server Express from here and the AdventureWorks database from here and then google SQL Zoo. Also, go to the nearest bookstore and pickup a book on SQL Server. Dummies, WROX all have a beginners books for SQL Server. Beginners Database Administration book will touch on basic T-SQL and other more important topics as well. Check attachment to get you started.
--
:hehe:
November 25, 2009 at 7:14 am
To a degree you're going to get what you pay for. You can bounce around the internet and you're going to find fantastic articles and blog posts, but they're not going to be connected into a meaningful flow. You're better off starting with a couple of books, not free I realize, because it's going to lay down a path, a plan, a methodology, that will lead you to better understanding.
I'll strongly second the vote for Itzik Ben-Gan's excellent "SQL Server 2008 T-SQL Fundamentals." You'll be hard pressed to find a better introduction to T-SQL and you really need to learn and understand T-SQL. After that, things get weird. I'd suggest you take a look at "Beginning SQL Server 2008 Administration." Full disclosure, I wrote three chapters for the book, but it really is a good resource for getting started. Chapters include "The Database Administration Profession", "Planning and Installing SQL Server 2008", "Creating Tables and Other Objects", "Database Backup Strategies", "Database Maintenance Plans" and a bunch of other stuff, all focused on the begginer.
Once you've got a foundation, then hanging out here on the forums at SSC and reading the articles will make a lot more sense.
"The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood"
- Theodore Roosevelt
Author of:
SQL Server Execution Plans
SQL Server Query Performance Tuning
November 25, 2009 at 8:17 am
Grant Fritchey (11/25/2009)
To a degree you're going to get what you pay for. You can bounce around the internet and you're going to find fantastic articles and blog posts, but they're not going to be connected into a meaningful flow. You're better off starting with a couple of books, not free I realize, because it's going to lay down a path, a plan, a methodology, that will lead you to better understanding.I'll strongly second the vote for Itzik Ben-Gan's excellent "SQL Server 2008 T-SQL Fundamentals." You'll be hard pressed to find a better introduction to T-SQL and you really need to learn and understand T-SQL. After that, things get weird. I'd suggest you take a look at "Beginning SQL Server 2008 Administration." Full disclosure, I wrote three chapters for the book, but it really is a good resource for getting started. Chapters include "The Database Administration Profession", "Planning and Installing SQL Server 2008", "Creating Tables and Other Objects", "Database Backup Strategies", "Database Maintenance Plans" and a bunch of other stuff, all focused on the begginer.
Once you've got a foundation, then hanging out here on the forums at SSC and reading the articles will make a lot more sense.
I will second what Grant has said. Free will only get you so far in your endeavors. It would be wise to have a clear, documented learning path. By purchasing a few books, you could gain this training path - since they are frequently laid in that manner.
Jason...AKA CirqueDeSQLeil
_______________________________________________
I have given a name to my pain...MCM SQL Server, MVP
SQL RNNR
Posting Performance Based Questions - Gail Shaw[/url]
Learn Extended Events
November 25, 2009 at 12:13 pm
I think my request for "Free Training" might make me look a little cheep? What I was wanting was to get my feet wet before I spend a lot of money on formal training. I really appreciate all your advise and will take your suggestion on the book. I've taken many classes over the years and have found the a little knowledge goes a long way. It's easy to fall behind in a class room setting if the rest of the class is already ahead of you.
Thanks
Rich
December 1, 2009 at 7:33 am
http://www.w3shools.com is the way to go , this will give basics of how to write queries.
December 1, 2009 at 7:43 am
mangoale (12/1/2009)
www.w3shools.com is the way to go , this will give basics of how to write queries.
Totally agree. This is an extremely good site with great explanations. When I was starting my career into SQL, I was once given an "written SQL assessment" from this website.
Though I do have a correction, the website is: http://www.w3schools.com/SQl/default.asp
--
:hehe:
December 1, 2009 at 1:09 pm
If you want to get an idea of how sql syntax is laid out I highly recommend WinSQL by Synametrics[/u]. The trial version (14 days) allows you to use the full professional version of it which includes intellisense. Right now intellisense is only included in SS2k8.
You'll still have to set up Sql Server 2k5(8) on your test machine & then create a ODBC connection to your Sql Server instance but once you do that (very easy), you can use WinSQL with no issues. I used it a lot to learn SQL. The intellisense makes learning a lot easier.
The full version of WinSQL is quite pricey ($250 =\ ) but if you can eventually afford it, it's worth it.
I also recommend, believe it or not, SQL for Dummies[/u] just to learn the basic syntax. I bought a copy of that book about 6 years ago not sure of what to expect. That book got passed around my tech support department more then any other book we used! Also shop smart for books. Most books you buy can be bought used for a great discount. I found a SQL Server 2005 admin book that retails for $39.99 new for $9.85 used w/$3 shipping. Got the book & it looked virtually brand new.
Don't forget to use Google to your advantage. Many a question I've had have been answered simply by typing the question into Google in plain syntax. Example, if I wanted to know how to write a simple "Select" statement I typed in "How do I write a select statement in sql". Make sure if you want to know SQL Server 2005, 2008 or even Oracle, you end the question with the database of choice. Example, How do I write a select statement sql server 2005[/i].
Let me know if you have any other questions.
December 1, 2009 at 6:16 pm
John Waclawski (12/1/2009)
If you want to get an idea of how sql syntax is laid out I highly recommend WinSQL by Synametrics[/u]. The trial version (14 days) allows you to use the full professional version of it which includes intellisense. Right now intellisense is only included in SS2k8.You'll still have to set up Sql Server 2k5(8) on your test machine & then create a ODBC connection to your Sql Server instance but once you do that (very easy), you can use WinSQL with no issues. I used it a lot to learn SQL. The intellisense makes learning a lot easier.
The full version of WinSQL is quite pricey ($250 =\ ) but if you can eventually afford it, it's worth it.
I also recommend, believe it or not, SQL for Dummies[/u] just to learn the basic syntax. I bought a copy of that book about 6 years ago not sure of what to expect. That book got passed around my tech support department more then any other book we used! Also shop smart for books. Most books you buy can be bought used for a great discount. I found a SQL Server 2005 admin book that retails for $39.99 new for $9.85 used w/$3 shipping. Got the book & it looked virtually brand new.
Don't forget to use Google to your advantage. Many a question I've had have been answered simply by typing the question into Google in plain syntax. Example, if I wanted to know how to write a simple "Select" statement I typed in "How do I write a select statement in sql". Make sure if you want to know SQL Server 2005, 2008 or even Oracle, you end the question with the database of choice. Example, How do I write a select statement sql server 2005[/i].
Let me know if you have any other questions.
The "Developers Edition" of SQL Server is actually the full-up Enterprise Edition with special licensing, runs on your desktop or laptop without having to install a copy of Windows Server, and generally can be found for anywhere from $45 to $60. If I recall correctly, Amazon has it. It's very worth the small investment. I believe that Oracle has a totally free download of their product but I'm one of those folks that just don't care for Oracle/PL-SQL at all.
--Jeff Moden
Change is inevitable... Change for the better is not.
December 2, 2009 at 2:58 am
Once again Thanks for all the great information. I've ordered some books including The For Dummies and also found this page with free videos http://idealprogrammer.com/databases/sql-server/sql-server-2005-10-free-one-hour-videos-from-microsoft-expert/ i think I came to the right place for info. I hope this helps some other newbies in the future.
Thanks
Rich
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