What is SQL?
SQL, or Structured Query Language, is the standard language used to query
and manipulate data from a relational database. SQL is not "owned" by any
company but is managed by a standards organization. Many companies such as
Microsoft, Oracle, Sybase and Informix have products that use their own "brand"
(or flavor) of SQL.
SQL allows for the creation and modification of databases. With SQL you can
modify the structure of a table as well as create user defined data types
called domains. SQL also allows for the manipulation of security settings and
permissions for databases and tables.
SQL also is used to gather records from a database based on given criteria.
Not only can SQL return the records (called a record-set) but it can also
add, edit and delete records. SQL has powerful commands to gather data from
more than one database at a time, this is called a relation (also called a join).
Last but not least, SQL can be used for transactions. Transactions, are batches
of commands to be carried out on a table or tables. SQL Transactions can be undone;
this is called a roll-back.
If you are interested in professional database manipulation in a client/server
environment, you must know SQL. Even if you only work with "desktop databases",
SQL can still be a powerful tool for database manipulation.
SQL Training Courses
The following SQL training courses are available from Blue Star Learning...
DBASESQL - SQL Using dBASE Plus
DMD - Database Modeling and Design
MS2072 - Administering a Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Database
MS2073 - Programming a Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Database
MS2074 - Designing and Implementing OLAP Solutions Using Microsoft SQL Server 2000
MS2091 - Building XML-Enabled Applications Using Microsoft SQL Server 2000
MSSQL - ANSI SQL Using Microsoft SQL Server
PHP2 - Intermediate PHP - Level 2
PLSQL1 - Introduction to Oracle9i - PL/SQL Language
PLSQL2 - Develop Oracle9i PL/SQL Program Units
TSQL1 - Transact-SQL Programming