SQL Server course (1 Viewer)

Hi all,

my local university is offering a SQL server 2005 class starting this winter. I am contemplating whether or not to take it and was wondering if anyone here had done something like this? How much of a stretch is it to make that transition if all you know is Access?

Would appreciate any thoughts on the issue!

Wouldn't know anything about SQL Server myself, but wanted to mention that I completed a week long 11-hour a day class in MySQL back in September, and didn't felt like I was lost or behind. It was very easy transition, despite MySQL not necessary the most compliant (as it doesn't use T-SQL dialect SQL Server uses and to lesser degree, Access). I intend to take MySQL certification, which I have a voucher thanks to that workshop shortly.

One thing to think about is whether you want to take it as an university class or take a professional workshop. In latter, the courses is much more practical and there's no inane droning on basics as they already assume that you know this, and there's no homework involved (although I would imagine labs should be a good part of the coursework). By far the best thing was the group of people- I got to meet with other like-minded people and learned more with them than if I was with a bunch of chowderheads wannabe game designers who are just required to take the class toward graduation.

But university class would be more likely in depth, and the pace is much more slower compared to a week-long professional workshop so you have more time to absorb the information, and teachers are more likely to be more aware of the big picture (e.g. the theory) and may be in better position to answer hypothetical questions.

Hope this helps.

Thanks Banana

This is a university setting but it is lab-centric and when I spoke to the main prof he seemed pretty down to earth....made a comment about the school of hard knowcks being a great teacher and wanting students to be able to actually use the software when they're done with the class. So that sounds pretty good.

The class will be 3 hours every thursday night for three quarters and it involves getting a SQL Server 2005 Specialist Certificate at the end.

And if they 'drone on the basics' that might be really good for a duffer like me The phrase 'T-SQL dialect' doesn't mean much to me yet so I figure basics would be helpful to learn. Now if, by basics, you mean things like proper normalization etc then hopefully I have a good start on that.

I don't really know much about MySQL or SQL Server, or what the differences between them are, but it encouranges me that you found the transition from Access to be very easy. And it would be nice to have a piece of paper to wave around if ever I decide to switch careers officially.

That's great. I'm glad to hear that you'll get a piece of paper included. I'm quite impressed myself- makes me want to take it, too! Is this open to non-matriculated students or what? I'd think it unusual that university class would get you a certification along the way.

T-SQL is one of two main dialects, other being ANSI (I think?). An example of the difference would be TOP and LIMIT:

T-SQL:
ANSI-SQL:
Both basically does same thing.

Ah interesting. Access SQL looks more like the T-SQL to me. Thanks for the example.

And I think the class is open to anyone but, unless you live locally (Bellingham, WA), it might be a bit of a commute to get to the labs

I started with Access and have been transitioning to MySQL and for me my background in Access has helped very much. Like most Access users/developers I was using the QBE to make my queries and it helped me visualize what was happening with the joins and relationships. And then I discovered that you could enter SQL statements in Access and I felt like a real techie after that, but knowing I was still a novice.
Well then I went on to MySQL and there was no QBE (well there is PHP ADMIN but it's not like QBE) and that is when I really started learning, as you have very little choice but to start "Thinking SQL".

Good Luck!

Thanks Dan. Good to hear the transition won't be too fraught with demons