Ask HN: Best way to learn SQL?

Posted by j_s on Wednesday May 15, 2013 @02:35PM
from the ask-hn dept.

I need recommendations on the best introduction to SQL.

About 10 years ago, "Access Database Design & Programming" http://www.amazon.com/dp/0596002734 was my introduction to relational algebra, and "The Guru's Guide to Transact-SQL" http://www.amazon.com/dp/0201615762 filled in the details on queries required for each day's new minor emergency.

Today I'm looking for the best online CBT options (teamtreehouse or whatever), online courses, better books, and/or any other options I might not even have considered ([online] user groups/communities, tutorials included with database servers, etc.?)

I was promised "an upcoming blog post specially focusing on learning SQL" back when Zipfian Academry rounded up their "Practical Intro to Data Science" a month ago https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=5508261 , but I'm out of time to wait. (If anyone has additional recommendations specifically for learning more about business intelligence and/or data warehousing I'd greatly appreciate those too!)

Thanks for your time, and keep up the good work!

( 10 comments | 7 points | on HN )

Re:Ask HN: Best way to learn SQL? by codegeek on Wednesday May 15, 2013 @03:17PM (#5714113)

I am writing an ebook (leanpub) for beginner-intermediate SQL and if you are interested, check it out:

https://leanpub.com/sqlfromscratch

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Ask HN: Best way to learn SQL? by j_s on Wednesday May 15, 2013 @03:23PM (#5714167)

I look forward to checking it out!

Hopefully I'll already have the bases covered by the time you release; I certainly will try to get you some usable feedback.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Ask HN: Best way to learn SQL? by codegeek on Wednesday May 15, 2013 @03:28PM (#5714207)

definitely. Would love any feedback. To be honest, I am writing this because I get a lot of queries like yourself in my field of work and I decided to give something back to the community. I am expecting to have this ready in next 30 days.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Ask HN: Best way to learn SQL? by j_s on Wednesday May 15, 2013 @03:41PM (#5714299)

Recommendation number one: if you're wrapping it up in less than a month, don't leave your sales page saying you are 1% done!

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Ask HN: Best way to learn SQL? by makeitsonumber1 on Wednesday May 15, 2013 @04:16PM (#5714561)

I swear by O'Reilly's SQL Cookbook (http://www.amazon.com/Cookbook-Cookbooks-OReilly-Anthony-Mol...). The examples start of easy and get more complicated as you go along, all with detailed explanations. The book is a bit out of date but it's still useful. IMHO, it will turn you from a novice to an intermediate in no time.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Ask HN: Best way to learn SQL? by tjr on Wednesday May 15, 2013 @02:38PM (#5713896)

Old but good: http://philip.greenspun.com/sql/

Supplement with a good resource specific to the RDBMS you are using.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Ask HN: Best way to learn SQL? by j_s on Wednesday May 15, 2013 @03:25PM (#5714177)

Nice to know this is still worth digging into... I'd forgotten about it.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Ask HN: Best way to learn SQL? by macarthy12 on Wednesday May 15, 2013 @02:55PM (#5713988)

Joe Celkos books http://www.amazon.com/Joe-Celko/e/B000ARBFVQ

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Ask HN: Best way to learn SQL? by j_s on Wednesday May 15, 2013 @03:10PM (#5714077)

Thanks! Is there a specific one that has been the most helpful to you?

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Ask HN: Best way to learn SQL? by duggieawesome on Wednesday May 15, 2013 @04:28PM (#5714648)

For something interactive, checkout http://sqlzoo.net/

[ Parent | on HN ]