Just wanted to see if there was anyone familiar with MySQL. I'm really eager to learn how to use MySQL so I was wondering if anyone can recommend a good online tutorial or general pointers of how to use it.

 

Get a good book. Go to Borders, look through all the MySQL books they have, pick one you like.

What do you want to use MySQL for, something like a back end for a website? MySQL is good for website stuff because it's fast, but it lacks "real" database features like redo logs and roll-back capability by default.

If you like web stuff, I'd suggest setting up a Linux box and using Apache/PHP/MySQL to set up a database-driven application of some sort. Also, phpMyAdmin is a good web frontend to MySQL written in PHP, check that out.

Basic idea of dealing with databases is simple because only 3 things can happen when you make a query: you either get one answer, multiple answers, or no answers.

Stan

 

Well my major is Information Systems Management, and I'm only a sophomore in college, so I want to start getting familiarized with such systems and I think MySQL is a good start because it's OSS and it's a good gateway to getting to learn RDBMS

 

oh come stan...

dont scare the boy away.

only reason mysql has that "good for websites but isnt a real DB" is due to the fact that it is free and well... it got that market locked down.

and you know with the proper engine, mysql can go up with the big boys any day of the year.


but yes... if the OP wants a job in the real world after college, oracle and mssql are the ones to learn.

good thing both have "free" version that you can download and learn on. and stepping up to the "real" versions are easy. and should be painless.

 

what exactly do you need? i maybe able to help a little.

 

Agreed. If you want a marketable skill, either get good at MS SQL Server, or Oracle, or better yet -- both. You can try setting up a CentOS box with Oracle on it, it's fairly easy nowadays. MySQL is great and free and can be very good for learning.

Stan

 

SQL is legit, and definitely a real means databasing.

 

Ok, so I'm pretty noob at this stuff and I only have DECENT skillz at MS Access, Java and Matlab (haha). So I guess what I'm really asking is what should I start off with as like a beginner/"noob" project?

I downloaded MySQL last night and didn't know what to do with it (<-- Noob move?). So I'm thinking, should I build a website and implement MySQL in it? I kind read on the basics of web hosting, ie. domain name, host server, etc etc... S

 

I'm in a similar situation - currently having coworkers train me with SAS.

 

Ok, so I got my programs... MySQL, PHP5, and Apache HTTP Server 2.2x what's next?

So I'm reading a tutorial online about PHP, and I kinda understand the syntax of it (a lot like Java), but where do I write my files?! and Where do I upload it onto my server?

 

Not sure how to do it on windows, but your web files/scripts would go wherever Apache would be hosting them (DocumentRoot), wherever the default index.html would be. MySQL will create and keep it's database files in it's own location.

You have to make sure you have Apache, MySQL and PHP working all together. You may have to enable PHP support in httpd.conf. Then, under your Apache document root create a script with this in it:

<? phpinfo; ?>

call it something like "phpinfo.php" and hit it with a browser, like http://yourservername/phpinfo.php

If all is working correctly, you should see a page with a bunch of info on it, then you know it's all good.

Stan

 

Ok, so I registered my domain (I bought one) and the web host server I registered with is crapping out on me. Can you recommend a free web host server that's fairly reliable?

 

since you aint gonna listen to my advice... buy this book:

http://www.wrox.com/WileyCDA/WroxTit...764577239.html