Re: Learning/Teaching SQL
Date: Mon, 24 Nov 2003 03:25:07 GMT
Message-ID: <3FC17A05.8B822653_at_bad_address.net>
Lee wrote:
>
> Some (few) of our users has expressed a desire to learn SQL so as to be
> <remainder snipped ... student can prove relevance of response for him/herself>
[Quoted] On your book question: At this time I have not found a better book for
SQL Basics than O-Reilly's "Mastering Oracle SQL By Sanjay Mishra, Alan
Beaulieu (April 2002) 0-596-00129-0"
(http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/mastorasql/)
That book starts at the basics, includes a simple but reasonable schema, and goes all the way through some very advanced examples including outer joins, sub-queries, inline views, 'WITH' clauses and even ANSI syntax. It also gives great info on advanced grouping and analytics requirements and even has a section on SQL Best Practices. The table of contents itself would provide you with a great [cheater's] course outline.
You mentioned to Daniel that you have severe budget constraints.
In that case I'd strongly encourage you look at Oracle's Online Library as a supplement to your regular training. While there are some duffers in the catalog, I find there are many excellent courses. Not a bad deal - USD$280 for 1 year of unlimited CBT access, and over 400 'courses' ranging from 60 to 800 minutes using virtually all modes of interaction, including video and audio (Real Player is required) andd incremental tests. More info, including a 'free trial area', available from http://www.oracle.com/education/oln >> Online Library.
(I encourage all my students to consider using the Online Library to gear up before courses as well as to get specialty info after the fact.)
For your SQL course, I'd consider the 800 minute "Content Details OCP - Introduction to Oracle 9i: SQL Exam Prep" course with description
"This course is geared to help students prepare for Oracle9i: Introduction to SQL exam. The class covers the concepts of relational databases and the powerful SQL programming language. Students are taught to create and maintain database objects and to store, retrieve, and manipulate data. They also learn to write SQL and SQL*Plus script files using the iSQL*Plus tool to generate report-like output. Demonstrations and hands-on practice reinforce the fundamental concepts."
Using that in conjunction with Oracle's 'development license' for downloadable software, SQL*Plus or iSQL*Plus and their Code Samples (including Oracle By Example) can provide a solid infrastructure for self-paced learning at a reasonable price.
HTH
/Hans
export reply-to=`echo "$from" | sed -e 's/bad_address/telus/'` Received on Mon Nov 24 2003 - 04:25:07 CET