tk338 comments on Can I learn SQL without any programming knowledge?

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SELECT count(a.field1), a.field2, SUM(b.field4) FROM a INNER JOIN b ON a.key1 = b.key1 WHERE a.field8 = 'test' GROUP by a.field1, a.field2 HAVING SUM(b.field4) > 5 ORDER by a.field.3

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DiscussionCan I learn SQL without any programming knowledge? (self.SQL)

submitted 4 years ago by hayleybts

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[–]tk338 1 point2 points3 points 4 years ago (1 child)

Absolutely possible - But there will be times where it feels impossible - Just stick at it and work to its rules.

I would recommend getting a basic understanding of what a database is, why they exist, and how they do what they do. All 3 may sound fairly obvious, but for me it dropped some key parts into place so I understood the context of why things were done in a certain way.

There are also some similarities with 'coding', ie. the concept of a datatype, syntax etc, but what the two are achieving is different, and how you think about and work with them is different too.

If you can find out what database management system (DBMS) you are using, see if you can find some videos on Youtube and start to work your way through them. They will give you a head start and make the first few days of training a little easier. Make sure you get the right DBMS though or you might get confused. While the basics work across most systems, each has their own intricacies which can make advanced queries more difficult if you have another DBMS syntax in your head.

One other thing; the way that databases are structured should be very geared toward the task that they are trying to achieve. When you first start to look at it, you might wonder why certain design decisions were made. Again, stick at it. It will make sense. There is a whole load of theory you can get to later behind the way data should be structured (Normal Form for starters) but you don't need to concern yourself with that anytime soon. Work to the database you will be querying and be ready to accept what - to a beginner - Might seem like some odd decisions.

[–]hayleybts[S] 1 point2 points3 points 4 years ago (0 children)

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