OS and Software > No, I Will Not Fix Your #@$!! Computer > Learning SQL query writing

Learning SQL query writing

I don't know SQL so I can't really help there but if your job pays for training or reimburses you for continuing education -- try to make the most of it.

ITIL is a bit of a pain but a lot of companies talk ITIL and want people that can talk it too.

Project Management is a growing area. You can read up about it if you like but combined with your CCNA and networking background, that could be a really solid gig for you.

Lastly, -- everything is moving towards convergence so scope out whatever opportunities are available that would help you land a gig in this growing space.
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1/22/2012 Delegate Count
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The only cost my job will cover is my pay. I would only be doing this for myself just so if they consider laying me off in the near future at least I'll have a skill set that can take me somewhere either way; an application guy or a network guy.

My resume doesn't say much with regards to a lead role even though that's what I've pretty much done in my past two jobs without the actual job title.

you just have to remember that some SQL servers take slightly different syntax than others.. for example, a statement I write in MYSQL, my or may not translate perfectly to MSSQL or Oracle or even version to version as like any other programming language, stuff gets depricated for better commands...

I'm by all means no guru, but in high school I learned on Oracle, and now I do stuff mostly in MYSQL, but am moving toward MSSQL since we are moving to a Microsoft environment.

I would start with basics, then move in to vendor specific...
»www.amazon.com/Language-SQL-Acce···3&sr=8-7

it is a couple years old, but will get you started if you truly want to learn.

Just my $.02

Where I work the EMR database runs on a SQL 2005 box. Is the syntax in that book compatible with MSSQL?

I would say yes. There might be some variations but the underlying basics are there. with MSSQL the main differences are the reporting, views, and T-SQL bits. That you can learn from a MSSQL specific text.

I'm not a guru and I'm sure someone will be along to go further in depth, but this is what I have done for my position which sometimes calls for me writing reports against the SCCM database, and some web programming on the side for friends and family that required the site to have a database.

Report writing was one of my former boss' biggest responsibilities here. Whatever I learn if I can would have to directly correlate to the report writing piece of SQL.

In that case I would read the first book to get the basics so you know what to look for in the design of the reports, then follow up with a book like this that goes deeper into detail

»www.amazon.com/Microsoft%C2%AE-S···&sr=1-23

reply to Network Guy
Report writing is the easiest part, its a structured language, a bit hard to understand some of the concepts, a class in discrete math was a prerequisite before I learn SQL at school

But if you have the scripts your boss wrote as a starting place, it would be a good start and allow making small changes and use that with any SQL book to start learning the language

Oracle, MS , MySql all have different interfaces, and small differences in the syntax. You will have to talk with the DBA to get an account setup and understand what your company has for the user interface and permissions.

Its a very valuable skill, you should consider talking a database class at your local community college or university

reply to netboy34
Alright. Thanks for the info

reply to guppy_fish
Yeah.. My former boss left here to work somewhere else for six figures doing exactly this. Looking at the data mining and manipulation he did, I found that amazing.

reply to Network Guy
I've been working with MS SQL Server for years, concentrating on T-SQL, Reporting Services and Integration Services.

What you need to understand that while just learning T-SQL is correct direction to get started, it is not enough. You will need to learn other back-end technologies and front-end too (for web development or rich desktop clients) if you want to take this seriously.

I found "For Dummies" series not very good for technically inclined. It is truly the lowest common denominator. If you want easy - go for it. If you really want to learn it - try something more advanced. I don't have exact recommendations but what you need to do is go to the book store (B&N @ 5th Ave in Manhattan has best selection of computer books) and check out multiple books. Find the best for you and check out reviews on Amazon before making a purchase.