totally new to sql

greetings,

Yes, green as grass.

So, a database seems to be required.
I have contacted my server sys op (a charity situation so I don't like to push) and things are busy and it may take a while ... and so it goes.

Can I set up a database myself?
How?

Yes, I surf about looking for the idiots guide and am sure there is one - but where? I have some coding experience so am happy to read and fiddle but ... where to start?

many thanks in advance

arfa

What Operating system will you be using? Firebird and MySQL are two options worth considering since both can run on multiple platforms.

This is just my $.02, but I would start with MySQL. Its pretty close to following standards and by far has the most support out there. Just look at the number of posts in the MySQL forum here verus that of all the other database forums.

Also, at my local Barnes & Noble, the number of MySQL books outnumber that of PostgreSQL by about 8 to 1. For learning purposes, MySQL is proably the best choice. Now it doesn't support all the functions of a true RDBMS, but its good enough if you want to learn the basics.

Greets,

so, we are running Debian-linux (as best I know) - I have the thought that mysql is the way to go - but, as you know, I know little

I have done some reading.

Q: the app (a BB to start) has a .sql file. Can i presume that this will do the job? Do i just upload it onto my own server space? Or, does sys admin need to set anything?

I ask these questions (as opposed to just sticking it on and trying) as there can be a variety of things that prevent an app from working and it can save mega frustration by knowing - "oh, didn't you ***<> and change the / to a \
silly me not to have known that.

Maybe it is as simple as i would like to imaging ?
I would be delighted if you told me it was so.

I appreciate that actually 'building' a db is yet another matter.

thanks
arfa

I am assuming BB stands for bulletin board, and you are using one that you downloaded from somewhere, correct?

If so, the .sql file is a script that you need to run in your database environment to create database objects (i.e. tables, users, permission, etc etc).

MySQL is a great database. It depends on how complex your project is, keep in mind that MySQL does not support Stored Procedures.

Hope this helps.

greets,

Much of the newbie dilema is getting around the words so...

> BB stands for bulletin board
yes

>using one that you downloaded
yes

>the .sql file is a script that you need to run in your database environment
yes, but the words 'database environment' -----
where is this? What is this? Who made it? Can i make it/one?
sorry but I try reading online tutorials and the like but so much is assumed.

>to create database objects (i.e. tables, users, permission, etc etc).
I guess this is the fancy stuff? By this i infer that all I am really hoping to be is a user of others 'fancy stuff' - ie. free scripts etc. I hack about with js and and perl bits well enough but the db thing is all quite new.

>MySQL is a great database.
This is the impression i get and am keen to use useful things

>It depends on how complex your project is
Not so ambitious. site gets about 800 visits a day.

>Hope this helps
I am grateful for any replies -
thanks
1/2 a [tis my jargon handle for arfa - as in arfa mo, or arfa life is good enough until win OS meets god at cebit]

It depends on which database you are going to use....
-- MS SQL Server 2000, it will be the Query Analyzer that comes with it.
-- Oracle 8i or 9i, you have to purchase 3rd party tool. I use SQL Navigator and DBArtisan. Both of them are great and both of them provide GUI to run SQL scripts.
-- MySQL, you can download the Control Center 0.9.2 which is still in beta. But it provides GUI interface to manage all the database objects, and of course, it comes with a query window for you to create and run SQL scripts.

These are the only 3 databases that I use. IMHO, any other database besides these three are not worth your time.



Both MS SQL Server and Oracle require license fees. Since it is for charity work and the project scope is small, you can simply use MySQL. Just download the latest production version (stay away from alpha or beta version because those are not yet stable) and then download the Control Center 0.9.2 beta (unfortunately, it is still in beta, but I find it quite stable, and you will need it). After installing everything, you can use the Control Center to create a new database for your project. Then open the SQL query window, copy and paste the content in the .sql file into the query window, click on the ! icon to run the script. If the scripts are written correctly and they are in the correct sequence (some database objects have to be created first before other objects can be created), you should not receive any error, and the database will be ready for use.

Hope this clarifies. If not, please ask again.

greetings substring,

well, what a generous load of thinkings for me to digest.

I will download Control Center and see how that looks out of the box.

so, the sql file that comes with the free app needs a tweak? one click on the ! will do it? I live in hope and delight in surprises.

many thanks for giving your time to this.

1/2a

There is a really nice book out by Paul DuBois printed by SAMS Publishing for learning mysql. The price is a little steep at $50 but then again all computer books are pricy. So far I've been very impressed with it, and it covers other things also like PHP and Perl connections to the database. Good investment.

I think this book is the book that punkisdead was referring to. Just posing this b/c as you can see, if you get it used (or even new) it's a $20 discount from buying at the bookstore, if the cost is a consideration for the charity (or you)
Just my quick input.

Definately get the book!

i taught mself mysql using a combination of the book and the expertise of the wonderful people on this very forum!

I now have a database up and running and feel confident using most aspects of mysql. I prefer using the command line interface but the gui could prove to be a useful tool.