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 Getting started/Home practice

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berlinhammer
Starting Member

2 Posts

Posted - 2010-02-25 : 11:48:44
Hello all I'm new to the forum and pretty new to SQL.

I would like to get myself a database at home upon which I can practice, I've been googling away to see what the options are but I've been left pretty confused by the number of options and programmes there seem to be!

I use SQL little in my current role and am soon to start using it a lot more. So far I have used MSQuery and Access in any database interrogation I have done, but will soon be moving onto Oracle, which I have never used.

I'd really like to get ahead on my SQL skills which are very basic at the moment but I really don't know where to start out other than that I would like to concentrate on ANSI and Oracle SQL as much as I can and Access to a lesser extent. Can I get Oracle for free as a private user? Which of the many other SQL programmes are good for home practice? Why are some free and others not? I plan to get a book on Oracle asap.

I have been googling but I'm overwhelmed with choice and was hoping someone with some experience would have some advice for what I should be downloading to get myself a good practice environment at home.

Sorry for the newb questions but I really need some guidance. I'll be very very appreciative of any advice!! :)

Thanks

Jon

Sachin.Nand

2937 Posts

Posted - 2010-02-25 : 12:12:39
I guess it will be more appropriate if you post the question in some oracle forum like www.orafaq.com For a starter like you I would recommend www.w3schools.com/SQl/default.asp



PBUH
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tkizer
Almighty SQL Goddess

38200 Posts

Posted - 2010-02-25 : 12:19:57
You could also try dbforums.com, which has an Oracle forum. SQLTeam.com is for Microsoft SQL Server.

Tara Kizer
Microsoft MVP for Windows Server System - SQL Server
http://weblogs.sqlteam.com/tarad/

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"Let's begin with the premise that everything you've done up until this point is wrong."
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berlinhammer
Starting Member

2 Posts

Posted - 2010-02-26 : 06:09:44
Thank you very much for the advice I desperately needed a starting point so much appreciated!

Could I just ask one thing before I migrate to an Oracle forum... I have used MSQuery and an ODBC connection to access my company's DB up until now. I am confused by what the difference is between MSQuery and MS SQL Server? Could someone please enlighten me?

Thank you again

Jon
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tkizer
Almighty SQL Goddess

38200 Posts

Posted - 2010-02-26 : 19:13:24
Microsoft SQL Server is a database management system, just like Oracle is. MSQuery is not.

Tara Kizer
Microsoft MVP for Windows Server System - SQL Server
http://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."
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