Im interested in taking a course on database management / SQL / Oracle. Where can I find a course that teaches this stuff (without requiring perquisites)? I checked State's catalog and didnt see one. Thanks!

5/19/2009 11:45:03 PM

You can do it for free all by yourself

Install LAMP
See http://www.w3schools.com/sql/default.asp
...
Profit

5/20/2009 12:08:49 AM

Go get SQL Server Express 2008. http://www.microsoft.com/express/sql/
Go through their beginner learning series (found through the other link) and search for videos, screencasts, and virtual labs on SQL Server/DBA related matters.
Use the web (like w3schools) for basic query stuff.

Its going to be hard to learn without any sort of project driving you.

5/20/2009 2:09:49 AM

Don't learn off internet tutorials. It's only good if you're an experienced programmer, and will only teach you enough to feign competence.

Oracle has some EXCELLENT courses for the beginner with little-to-no prior experience.

http://education.oracle.com/pls/web_prod-plq-dad/db_pages.getpage?page_id=16&group_id=92&p_org_id=28&lang=US

5/20/2009 3:17:33 AM

I worked on SQL/Oracle databases straight out of college and learned more about databases within two years than any course could teach me. In theory and in practice are very different ways of learning any subject. Granted, I would never avoid taking courses on these subjects, but I feel that the best way to learn anything is to figuratively or literally get your hands dirty. You will need good intuition, the ability to learn quickly, and the work ethic to meet real deadlines. If you have all of that, plus experienced and knowledgable co-workers, you will be miles ahead of anyone that has only taken courses. A combination of courses, and real world experience, is probably the best methodology for learning SQL/Oracle. However, if you had to be lopsided on one end of the spectrum, having more real work experience is the better option.

[Edited on May 20, 2009 at 9:04 AM. Reason : -]

5/20/2009 9:00:53 AM

Quote :

"only teach you enough to feign competence"

this is very true...i fully admit that this was me for a long time

i taught myself a few years back and it wasn't until i took some basic courses that i felt comfortable with the foundation...i'm not even remotely an expert, but at least i understand what i see when i see it

5/20/2009 9:09:31 AM

Thanks for the help guys. philihp I looked into the Oracle classes but those are over $3,000 which I simply cannot afford right now.

I downloaded VMware, CentOS, and mySQL and picked up a few books and I will attempt to teach myself as much as possible. I have a few friends who are willing to help as well so it might go well.

Quote :

"Its going to be hard to learn without any sort of project driving you."

I found a sample database with data that is interesting to me until I can create my own, and work some data that I want to analyze.

For those of you who use SQL at work, what variation would be the best to learn?

[Edited on May 21, 2009 at 10:53 AM. Reason : a]

5/21/2009 10:52:54 AM

Quote :

"Don't learn off internet tutorials"

If you just want an overview of the language, and want to write some simple queries, I think internet tutorials like http://sqlzoo.net/ + a good book can be very helpful. It's free, and you can learn/practice at your own pace. Sure if you want to eventually get a DBA type job then you need something above and beyond a tutorial, but they're just fine for most people who want to learn the basics of the SQL language.

ok i just saw the OP is asking about database "management," so yeah a tutorial isn't gonna help much there...and without an actual real deal project to work on it will be hard to learn. maybe a formal course would be most helpful

5/21/2009 11:17:02 AM

Quote :

"philihp I looked into the Oracle classes but those are over $3,000 which I simply cannot afford right now."

Yeah... they ain't cheap to pay for out of pocket. It's usually a cost paid for by an employer.

5/22/2009 11:41:31 AM

Quote :

"For those of you who use SQL at work, what variation would be the best to learn? "

for the most part, SQL is SQL is SQL.

there are different database engines, but they basically all can use SQL in some form or fashion... hell, even WIM has WQL which is almost exactly like SQL, haha.

5/22/2009 11:54:46 AM

When I first learned sql/oracle it was using TOAD, lol: http://www.toadsoft.com/

5/26/2009 10:09:07 PM