| Author |
Topic |
|
KostaK
Starting Member
16 Posts |
 Posted - 2009-11-18 : 22:05:42
|
| So I posted a question before about general SQL and I got ostracized saying "This is not an SQL forum it's an SQL server forum." Well I am sorry so can someone please tell me what is SQL server and point me to a link I can find out more about it.What is the advantage of SQL server?RegardsI am learning SQL. |
|
|
russell
Pyro-ma-ni-yak
5072 Posts |
Posted - 2009-11-18 : 22:21:26
|
| Ok, let's start with "What is a database?" A database is a storage and retrieval sytem to store information.Let's illustrate with a simple example. You have an application where people place orders. You need to store your customer information, product information and sales. Where do you put it? In a database.MS SQL Server is one of a small handful of enterprise class database applications.You could stoe this information in any number of formats: Text files, XML files, binary files for example. But databases (or Relational Databases) allow you to store much more information in much less space. They also have performance gains over other formats. Huge performance gains.So you store your customers, products and sales in a database, and create relationships between these entities.The short answer is that a database is a file (or set of files) where you store information. Powerful databases like SQL Server allow you to interact with your data in the most efficient possible way.The advantage of SQL Server over it's nearest competitors (DB2 and Oracle) is basically it's price point. It also comes out of the box with features not included in those products. It is highly scalable and runs on commodity hardware (ok I'm starting to sound like a commercial now lol).Download a free copy of SQL Server Express from Microsoft and start playing around with it. Try some online tutorials and post here with your questions. There's a lot of knowledgable and experienced folks here who'll be happy to help you on your way. |
 |
|
|
KostaK
Starting Member
16 Posts |
Posted - 2009-11-19 : 00:10:07
|
| What if I download Microsoft Visual Studio? Will I be able to work with SQL then as well?CheersI am learning SQL. |
|
|
|
russell
Pyro-ma-ni-yak
5072 Posts |
Posted - 2009-11-19 : 00:54:57
|
| Visual Studio is for application programming. So the short answer is "no", but the longer answer is that you probably want 'em both if you're learning to become a programmer. |
|
|
|
KostaK
Starting Member
16 Posts |
Posted - 2009-11-19 : 01:03:45
|
| Okay so the question is what is the really meat and bones application? I mean if I had all the money in the world which SQL Application would I buy? Microsoft SQL Server Premium or something?RegardsI am learning SQL. |
|
|
|
russell
Pyro-ma-ni-yak
5072 Posts |
Posted - 2009-11-19 : 11:19:36
|
You'd buy a villa overlooking the beach and forget all about this monkey business  MS SQL Server Enterprise Edition is the top end, fully functional version |
|
|
|
afrika
Master Smack Fu Yak Hacker
2706 Posts |
Posted - 2009-11-19 : 13:13:43
|
| There are two areas of MS SQL professions1. Database administrator ( DBA )2. Database Designer Normally if you work with the 2nd, you probably tend to work with some front end of some sort. e.g. asp.net thats where visual studio comes in. Although DBA also use visual studio for SSIS etcsee thishttp://www.asp.net/learn/sql-videos/ |
|
|
|
tkizer
Almighty SQL Goddess
38200 Posts |
Posted - 2009-11-19 : 14:06:14
|
quote:
Originally posted by afrika
There are two areas of MS SQL professions1. Database administrator ( DBA )2. Database Designer Normally if you work with the 2nd, you probably tend to work with some front end of some sort. e.g. asp.net thats where visual studio comes in. Although DBA also use visual studio for SSIS etc
1. Production DBA2. Development DBA3. SQL Developer4. Database Designer5. Data Architect6. Data Warehouse Developer...The list goes on and on, and all are SQL Server areas. I would argue that a production DBA does not use Visual Studio or SSIS except maybe to schedule a package to run in a SQL job. SSIS is more along the development DBA or SQL developer positions.Tara KizerMicrosoft MVP for Windows Server System - SQL Serverhttp://weblogs.sqlteam.com/tarad/Subscribe to my blog"Let's begin with the premise that everything you've done up until this point is wrong." |
|
|
|
X002548
Not Just a Number
15586 Posts |
|
|
tkizer
Almighty SQL Goddess
38200 Posts |
|
|
afrika
Master Smack Fu Yak Hacker
2706 Posts |
Posted - 2009-11-19 : 17:27:54
|
| At times, i wonder with the increasing complexity in computing, if its really simplifying things ???My main strengths are in .net c# front end, but i keep to this forum to improve on my sql. And you wonder... when you stop learning |
|
|
|
russell
Pyro-ma-ni-yak
5072 Posts |
Posted - 2009-11-19 : 19:10:50
|
| For a developer it makes sense. For a DBA it doesn't.<soapbox>The internet age has created an entire generation of IT professionals who have no idea how a computer works. Half of 'em don;t even know how many bits in a byte or bytes in a kilobyte. The continuing added layers of abstraction allow us to hire folks who can use the tools, but are unable to resolve serious problems</soapbox> |
|
|
|
KostaK
Starting Member
16 Posts |
Posted - 2009-11-19 : 19:43:37
|
| Great thanks guys. I have downloaded something... it's called Microsoft Visual Web Developer 2008 Express Edition (before I started this thread). So that's not it, correct? This is all so complicated, isn't SQL part of web development???Afrika thanks a lot for pointing me to these videos. I'll have a look through them.CheersI am learning SQL. |
|
|
|
russell
Pyro-ma-ni-yak
5072 Posts |
Posted - 2009-11-19 : 19:56:18
|
| I would suggest getting comfortable with the programming language(s) of your choice, then dive into SQL.Yes, it is part of web development in all but the simplest cases.What distinguishes the good developers from the great ones is a solid understanding of SQL.But you'll want to be comfortable with general programming concepts and procedures 1st. No reason you can't learn 'em concurrently, but they are 2 different skill sets. |
|
|
|
X002548
Not Just a Number
15586 Posts |
Posted - 2009-11-19 : 21:44:50
|
quote:
Originally posted by russellWhat distinguishes the good developers from the great ones
Hold the phone..don't they morph into DBA's at that pointIn any case...a bit (or byte) of adviceWhat ever language you use, it is the just a presentation layerGet data, display (& format) data, send data, tell user of mishaps perhapsIf you are doing ANYTHING else in the front end, you are doing too muchAll the business rules, logic, data access, data auditing, constraining data, ect should all be done in the database layerAnything that approached rocket science in the presentation layer is wrong...you can do it, but it's wrongMOOBrett8-)Hint: Want your questions answered fast? Follow the direction in this linkhttp://weblogs.sqlteam.com/brettk/archive/2005/05/25/5276.aspxAdd yourself!http://www.frappr.com/sqlteam |
|
|
|
KostaK
Starting Member
16 Posts |
Posted - 2009-11-20 : 00:03:29
|
| I am competent in SQL, I just want to install it and start using it in a way that I can understand. It's all so complicated.I am learning SQL. |
|
|
|
russell
Pyro-ma-ni-yak
5072 Posts |
Posted - 2009-11-20 : 00:18:38
|
You're well on your way Kosta. Grab a free copy of SQL Express and pound away. Try everything and post here when you get stuck. Or even when you don't and just wonder if there's a better way to do something.And yes, Brett, they do morph into DBAs. Sometimes even into IT Directors or CIOs and then we have all sorts of problems  I like saying that there's 3 types of programming: Graphics/Game Programmers, Packaged software programmers, and Database programmers. The 1st 2 are pretty similar, but a guy writing say, Excel doesn't need to understand graphics optimization. Almost all business programming and web programming fall into database programming.  |
|
|
|
KostaK
Starting Member
16 Posts |
Posted - 2009-11-20 : 00:33:49
|
| Thanks for the encouragement Russel. I'm going to go into Visual Web Developer 2008 and start playing around.I am learning SQL. |
|
|
|
X002548
Not Just a Number
15586 Posts |
|
|
KostaK
Starting Member
16 Posts |
Posted - 2009-11-20 : 21:52:09
|
| Oh ok. Thank you for that X002548.I am learning SQL. |
|
|
|
|
What is SQL Server?