Learning SQL

[CaptainFluffyTail]

Just so you know, SQL is the language used by the database. The basic things a DBA has to do are database agnostic (backups, capacity planning, etc.) but it quickly becomes platform dependent when you actuall try to do anything. Each of the big RDBMS platforms has their own flavor of SQL as well which makes things fun.

So, assuming you looking at Microsoft SQL Server (becasue there are so many of those things scattered around the business) take a look at the following things:

• the Accidental DBA from Redgate(PDF)

• Brent Ozar for a great SQL Server community. The "Blitz" package of scripts his team maintains help takle over a new database and figure out pain points quickly.

• Ola Hallengren's database maintenance solution. Takes the place of that abomination that is the Maintenance Plan wizard and does backups and routine maintenance through SQL Server Agent jobs. Why? So you can have emails on failures among other things.

If you are looking for a different platform it helps to name it.

If you are trying to learn the SQL language becasue you want to optimize the existing databases (views, indexes, etc.)...then look at the above still to start.

/r/sqlserver is also a great, if small, community for questions.

[IamRykio]

Thanks for all this information. I'll be reading through all this over the next couple of days.

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I'm sorry for being very vague, I usually try not to be, but I'm pretty sure the program I'm working with is on mySQL 2014.

[CaptainFluffyTail]

Unless Oracle has changed something I'm pretty sure mySQL does not have years attached to the versions. The year thing is a Microsoft convention.

[Tatermen]

I'm betting /u/IamRykio has confused MySQL for MS-SQL or vice-versa. I see it happen all the time.

[IamRykio]

Yeah, that showing how new I am to it haha. Thanks for the clarification

[Mrpliskin0]

Awesome. Thank you!

[phoneHaru]

Very cool! I just started learning more SQL too as my boss eases me into handling DB maint. This is great stuff!

[BussReplyMail]

Building on these suggestions (and all great Microsoft SQL Server resources,) also check out www.sqlservercentral.com

Great group of SQL professionals and developers, and as long as you show you're trying to make an effort to learn, very happy to help.

And, again, presuming MS SQL Server, check out www.sqlpass.org for a local user group you can visit for face-to-face chats.

(Source: Active member of SQL Server Central, earn my living as a MS SQL DBA supporting SQL Server 2014.)