This Tutorial

- Introduction

- The SQL Server database

- Using SQL to create a SQL Server database

- Using SQL to access SQL Server databases

- Creating tables

- Using SQL to describe SQL Server database tables

Related Pages

Microsoft Access Workgroup tutorial

Microsoft Access Database Splitter tutorial

Microsoft Access Build Your Own Database manual

- SQL tutorial for MySQL

- SQL tutorial for Microsoft Access

SQL database comparisons

- Comparison of the commands and operators used in WHERE clauses in Oracle, Microsoft Access, MySQL and SQL Server, and how to limit the number of rows returned

- Comparison of useful functions in Oracle, MySQL, Microsoft Access and SQL Server

Useful links

Microsoft Access

ASP Free site has a series of articles for beginners. Novices should start with the "Getting to Know ... " articles..

Alan Browne's tips contains tutorials suitable for all levels of expertise from casual users to Access developers.

Microsoft: This link will take you to the Microsoft Access Developer Center, from which you can find code samples, tutorials and tips.

MySQL

Download the MySQL database from the MySQL AB site.

Knowledge base articles and user manual are also available from the MySQL AB site..

The PHP MySQL Tutorial site covers the basic procedures for new PHP-MySQL programmers.

Structured Query Language (SQL) tutorial

The SQL Server database

At the simplest level, the SQL Server database consists of the following:

• A collection of tables to store the data: This is the heart of any database.
• A collection of queries designed to extract information from the data: You can create queries using the Query BY Example interface, or directly using SQL statements in the SQL Window.
• A collection of forms and reports designed to present the information in a user-friendly manner.

You will be working with the first two types of database objects: tables and queries.

SQL and the SQL Server database

During this course you will be using SQL Buddy to enter SQL queries and scripts, and to view results of the queries. SQL Buddy also has a database explorer, so you can check properties of your database objects. It can be downloaded from Source Forge . You can open SQL Buddy from the Start menu of your computer.

The Query window

Queries are typed into the right hand side editor window and the results are displayed underneath the query statement, as shown below:

You should type all SQL statements into this window. In some circumstances, you will be able to load a pre-prepared SQL script into the window using the File > Open command.

Running a query

Once you have entered a query into the SQL window, you can see the answer to your query by clicking the Run button, , which can be found on the toolbar above the editor window.