Learning SQL Server 2000 Environment 3

[gchaves]

Greetings!

I have been using MS Access to design and build databases for use in several dynamic web sites. They are small sites that do not get an overabundance of hits a month and Access seems to suit them fairly well. I feel that I understand how databases work and how they should be constructed in order to maximize efficiencies pretty well.

With my existing database knowledge, could I learn how to work with SQL Server fairly quickly or are there enough differences that would create a rather large learning curve?

Thanks,
GC

 

[SQLDenis]

There are some differences in the SQL Dialect (T-SQL) but by consulting Books On Line and help from the forum members here you will be fine

“I sense many useless updates in you... Useless updates lead to fragmentation... Fragmentation leads to downtime...Downtime leads to suffering..Fragmentation is the path to the darkside.. DBCC INDEXDEFRAG and DBCC DBREINDEX are the force...May the force be with you" --

http://sqlservercode.blogspot.com/

 

[rdandrade]

It's not that difficult to learn other databases once you know one well. Going from Access to SQL, you have many options instead of using Access queries. You have views, functions, and stored procedures. All have there uses.

If you are used to using graphic interfaces in Access to develop all of your queries, there will be a little learning curve. You can't do all of your design using graphic interfaces with SQL. Well, I am making this too complicated.

Bottom line...you can easily move to SQL with your Access experience for basic websites. If the sites are simple, you'll probably only have some tables and views (very similar to an Access query) which all have graphic interfaces to design them. You can create an Access Project that connects to the db to do basic design. As your sites get larger and more complicated, you will have a little learning curve figuring out the "right way" to efficiently use the database using functions and stored procedures.

Here are a few syntax differences between SQL and Access:
1) Dates wraped in '' instead of ##
2) No more IIF(), now use CASE
3) Like "*test" replaced with LIKE '%test'
...many more...but nothing you can't handle

So go for it. SQL is a lot more powerful and scalable. SQL books online installs with SQL server. There is a lot of info in it that should answer most of your questions.

Ray D'Andrade

http://www.raydandrade.com

 

[gchaves]

Thank you both! For the insight and the references to review. I certainly appreciate your help and advice.

GC

 

[SQLBill]

Here's more information on where to find the BOL.

BOL=Books OnLine=Microsoft SQL Server's HELP
Installed as part of the Client Tools
Found at Start>Programs>Microsoft SQL Server>Books OnLine
or online at:

http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/startsql/portal_7ap1.asp

-SQLBill

Posting advice: FAQ481-4875

 

[gchaves]

I just interviewed for a job as an App. Developer. Everything went fine except that I had very little SQL Server experience. That seemed to be the deal breaker. I explained to them that I did have a thorough knowledge of databases, how they are designed and how they work in general and that I could learn the SQL Server environment very quickly.

Does anyone have any advice on how to appropriately answer the SQL Server experience question? I guess my answer didn't seem to work.

Thanks again!

GC

 

[NoCoolHandle]

Lie

it seems to be quite common. It is amazing what I have seen
(in resumes) on how proficient folks are with products like SQL and Oracle and just how little they know.

Once you have the job....

 

[NoCoolHandle]

And to answer the first question (i hate to get a star for telling someone to be less than honest - even if it is standard in the industry.)

and this should help to give you the expertise you are going to promote yourself as having...

go to Microsofts webcasts and start watching all the SQL Server "On Demand" webcasts.

HOURS OF Great training and real world type examples. Also ther is becomming a wealth of sql 2005 stuff there...

A great leap forward.

link =

http://www.microsoft.com/events/webcasts/ondemand.mspx

YOu can get a downloadable copy of sql that will run for X days... and practice what they are promoting..

In hoping you will turn the lie into reality.


Rob

PS I can't stress how good the webcasts are as a learning tool! Visual with examples etc.. If a picture is worth 1000 words, then a video is worth a 1000 pictures!

 

[bytehd]

Dudes! Incredibly affordable!
Here you go:

http://www.pcconnection.com/ProductDetail?Sku=194987

$45 US.

Kicks the living #$## out of Access and MySQL.

Developer edition IS the Enterprise Edition but only for your dev efforts. Its really worth getting the boxed product.

I went to a local Richmond, VA I.T. educational shop in 2000 and asked their DB instructors how to use DTS. None knew. So I bought the product myself and just started learning how to use DTS, T-SQL optimizations and MS conferences came in handy too.


George Walkey
Senior Geek in charge

http://www.insyncva.com