Author Topic: Where to learn very basic coding and SQL?  (Read 7568 times)

Villanelle

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Where to learn very basic coding and SQL?
« on: May 29, 2015, 07:53:26 AM »
I'm in a library and information science program and I'm wanting to take a class on website design.  Most of the class is focused on the actual design (structure, layout, etc.), but the course description says that it includes some basic coding and SQL.

About all I know about coding is how to add tags on a message board to make something bold or turn it into a hyper link.  While the class is for beginners, I worry that I'm a little too much of a beginner, so I'd like to learn some basics beforehand.

I do better with videos than books, though I'm somewhat open to either.  Any suggestions? 

Insanity

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Re: Where to learn very basic coding and SQL?
« Reply #1 on: May 29, 2015, 07:59:30 AM »
There are several course type plays (Lynda.com has a 7 day trial).  There are also many blogs and YouTube videos. 

Jack

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Re: Where to learn very basic coding and SQL?
« Reply #2 on: May 29, 2015, 08:32:11 AM »

StacheInAFlash

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Re: Where to learn very basic coding and SQL?
« Reply #3 on: May 29, 2015, 08:37:55 AM »
There are several course type plays (Lynda.com has a 7 day trial).  There are also many blogs and YouTube videos.

http://www.codecademy.com/ is a great one that is completely free. Also, with Lynda.com, be sure to check to see if your local library has a subscription. Through my library, I have complete access to Lynda for free!

CowboyAndIndian

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Re: Where to learn very basic coding and SQL?
« Reply #4 on: May 29, 2015, 09:00:18 AM »
+1 to coursera (if you want to take a class) and to http://www.codecademy.com/  (lots of hands on).




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Re: Where to learn very basic coding and SQL?
« Reply #5 on: May 29, 2015, 09:08:36 AM »
w3schools , that is where I first learned basic sql.  check it out. its free

Insanity

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Re: Where to learn very basic coding and SQL?
« Reply #6 on: May 29, 2015, 09:17:11 AM »

There are several course type plays (Lynda.com has a 7 day trial).  There are also many blogs and YouTube videos.

http://www.codecademy.com/ is a great one that is completely free. Also, with Lynda.com, be sure to check to see if your local library has a subscription. Through my library, I have complete access to Lynda for free!

I did not know about that.  Will have to look into it!

Jack

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Re: Where to learn very basic coding and SQL?
« Reply #7 on: May 29, 2015, 09:23:06 AM »
w3schools , that is where I first learned basic sql.  check it out. its free

That's an excellent suggestion! IMO it's more reference-like than course-like, though (despite the fact that it has tutorials).

asiljoy

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Re: Where to learn very basic coding and SQL?
« Reply #8 on: May 29, 2015, 10:01:55 AM »
I like w3schools for getting acquainted with the terms/general syntax quickly and like Jack said, it's an ok reference tool. It's probably the quickest way to get up to speed to the point where you'll have some idea what your prof is talking about.

That being said, what other languages is the 'basic coding' in? Just HTML/CSS?

Villanelle

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Re: Where to learn very basic coding and SQL?
« Reply #9 on: May 29, 2015, 10:14:07 AM »
Thanks for all the specific suggestions.  I'll start wading through them.  Much appreciated. 

I like w3schools for getting acquainted with the terms/general syntax quickly and like Jack said, it's an ok reference tool. It's probably the quickest way to get up to speed to the point where you'll have some idea what your prof is talking about.

That being said, what other languages is the 'basic coding' in? Just HTML/CSS?

I have no idea.  The course description just mentions "coding" and "SQL".  Since this isn't at all a coding class, I am guessing it will be the most basic, which as far as I know (which isn't far at all) would be just HTML/CSS.

TheAnonOne

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Re: Where to learn very basic coding and SQL?
« Reply #10 on: May 29, 2015, 10:32:38 AM »
SQL? SQL is very simple to learn for beginners. Mainly due to the low amount of syntax memorization required.

For instance, there are 4 "KEY" words, (also known as CRUD (CREATE, RETREVE*more commonly known as select*, UPDATE, DELETE)

Let's say we have a table named "Person" with 4 columns.

ID, Fname, Lname, Age
1, Bob, Whoza, 48
2, Jill, Whoza, 52
3, Nick, Shra, 24



We can do 4 basic things with this table.... (remember CRUD)

CREATE-
INSERT INTO PERSON VALUES (Joe, Thomson, 34)
This will add a 4th row with Joe

SELECT- (or retrieve)
SELECT Fname, Age FROM Person
This will return a list of first names and ages from the table.

UPDATE-
UPDATE Person SET Fname = 'Whatever'
Every person will now have a first name of "Whatever"

DELETE-
DELETE FROM Person
You deleted all data from the table.

-------------------------------------------------------------------
You can also use a "WHERE" clause at the end.

For example....
DELETE FROM Person WHERE Fname = 'Bob'
You would only delete bob


There are a few more advanced things you can do like Joins, Grouping, subqueries ect ect

but I hope that gets you started!

TheAnonOne

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Re: Where to learn very basic coding and SQL?
« Reply #11 on: May 29, 2015, 10:35:32 AM »
Also, if you are looking for learning languages. Good 'Object Oriented' languages are in high demand. C# being the notable one. (Objective C for certain apple products, though C# is now running with MONO)

Things like HTML and CSS are not "Languages" they are markup. (CSS being it's own monster)

Bearded Man

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Re: Where to learn very basic coding and SQL?
« Reply #12 on: May 29, 2015, 10:38:05 AM »
w3schools , that is where I first learned basic sql.  check it out. its free

Another vote for w3schools. The Sam's Teach Yourself in 24 hours etc. guides are pretty good too.
« Last Edit: May 29, 2015, 11:56:29 AM by Bearded Man »

Villanelle

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Re: Where to learn very basic coding and SQL?
« Reply #13 on: May 29, 2015, 10:57:00 AM »
TheAnonOne, that is awesome.  Thank you!  It makes it all seems less scary and intimidating.

I'm not necessarily looking to develop skills in high demand languages.  I have zero interest in being a programmer or coder or whatever.  This class (and any future endeavors, likely) is focuses on the design aspects, which would be my overall focus.  I just need enough to be able to understand what is happening.  And you've given me a great start!

TheAnonOne

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Re: Where to learn very basic coding and SQL?
« Reply #14 on: May 29, 2015, 11:05:26 AM »
TheAnonOne, that is awesome.  Thank you!  It makes it all seems less scary and intimidating.

I'm not necessarily looking to develop skills in high demand languages.  I have zero interest in being a programmer or coder or whatever.  This class (and any future endeavors, likely) is focuses on the design aspects, which would be my overall focus.  I just need enough to be able to understand what is happening.  And you've given me a great start!

Your welcome. I have been doing this stuff for 6-7 years now. I can say that if your going for the cash, development is generally where it's "at". Market forces apply***

SQL tends to pay really well on it's own as well. Especially once you pair that with some integration tech like 'SSIS' (Sql Server Integration Services) Some of these positions break 130k full time and can be over 200k consulting (This is in MN)
-----------------------------------------------------------

If you want a similar look at OOP (Object oriented programming)
https://www.safaribooksonline.com/library/view/programming-visual-basic/0596004389/ch04s04.html

The three pillars are good start to understanding but it is a bit harder than SQL to quantify into a forum post.

Villanelle

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Re: Where to learn very basic coding and SQL?
« Reply #15 on: May 29, 2015, 11:09:12 AM »
I'm not entirely sure whether I am going the library route or the "info science" route with my MLIS, but either way, it won't be development.  For now, I just want enough to not worry about failing this class.  But I definitely know I have no interest in IT-type careers. 

mizzourah2006

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Re: Where to learn very basic coding and SQL?
« Reply #16 on: May 29, 2015, 11:39:22 AM »
Coursera.org is good.

But I have noticed that edx.org is more tech focused. So that might be a good place to check too.

lifejoy

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Re: Where to learn very basic coding and SQL?
« Reply #17 on: May 29, 2015, 12:05:28 PM »
Just wanted to wave hello, because I recently got my MLIS :)

Hi!

J Boogie

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Re: Where to learn very basic coding and SQL?
« Reply #18 on: June 01, 2015, 08:17:35 AM »
TheAnonOne, that is awesome.  Thank you!  It makes it all seems less scary and intimidating.

I'm not necessarily looking to develop skills in high demand languages.  I have zero interest in being a programmer or coder or whatever.  This class (and any future endeavors, likely) is focuses on the design aspects, which would be my overall focus.  I just need enough to be able to understand what is happening.  And you've given me a great start!

Your welcome. I have been doing this stuff for 6-7 years now. I can say that if your going for the cash, development is generally where it's "at". Market forces apply***

SQL tends to pay really well on it's own as well. Especially once you pair that with some integration tech like 'SSIS' (Sql Server Integration Services) Some of these positions break 130k full time and can be over 200k consulting (This is in MN)
-----------------------------------------------------------

If you want a similar look at OOP (Object oriented programming)
https://www.safaribooksonline.com/library/view/programming-visual-basic/0596004389/ch04s04.html

The three pillars are good start to understanding but it is a bit harder than SQL to quantify into a forum post.

Tell me more, the anon one.  I live in MN and currently work as a packaging analyst, about half .  We don't use any coding language or SQL, but I enjoy creating formulas in excel.  Bachelors in business.  What would you recommend as a career move forward? I feel like software development is a little bit outside of my knowledge and experience but SQL and database-based tech fluency is well within my grasp. 

TheAnonOne

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Re: Where to learn very basic coding and SQL?
« Reply #19 on: June 01, 2015, 09:35:38 AM »
TheAnonOne, that is awesome.  Thank you!  It makes it all seems less scary and intimidating.

I'm not necessarily looking to develop skills in high demand languages.  I have zero interest in being a programmer or coder or whatever.  This class (and any future endeavors, likely) is focuses on the design aspects, which would be my overall focus.  I just need enough to be able to understand what is happening.  And you've given me a great start!

Your welcome. I have been doing this stuff for 6-7 years now. I can say that if your going for the cash, development is generally where it's "at". Market forces apply***

SQL tends to pay really well on it's own as well. Especially once you pair that with some integration tech like 'SSIS' (Sql Server Integration Services) Some of these positions break 130k full time and can be over 200k consulting (This is in MN)
-----------------------------------------------------------

If you want a similar look at OOP (Object oriented programming)
https://www.safaribooksonline.com/library/view/programming-visual-basic/0596004389/ch04s04.html

The three pillars are good start to understanding but it is a bit harder than SQL to quantify into a forum post.

Tell me more, the anon one.  I live in MN and currently work as a packaging analyst, about half .  We don't use any coding language or SQL, but I enjoy creating formulas in excel.  Bachelors in business.  What would you recommend as a career move forward? I feel like software development is a little bit outside of my knowledge and experience but SQL and database-based tech fluency is well within my grasp.

Well, I cannot direct you on any career path. If YOU desire to move into database work, the most direct route would be to attempt to get some entry level positions dealing in SQL and other light coding languages.

The pay would be anywhere from 35k to 50k and it will take a few years of job switches and moving up to get to a "Senior" level. Someone may eventually require you to get some sort of formal training, maybe a certificate of some sort, (paid for by the company usually).

I don't mean to scare you off, just that no-one walks off the street into a 100k position. It will take work, and quite a bit of self motivation.

If this still interests you, shoot me a PM with a general location in which you reside. Most of these jobs are around minni, and to the west a bit.

Outlier

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Re: Where to learn very basic coding and SQL?
« Reply #20 on: June 02, 2015, 08:17:29 PM »
Microsoft learning has a lot of free stuff you can use to get started. They always have 180 day trials of all the products if you sign up to be spammed for life by Microsoft learning.

I'm pretty hands on so my suggestion is to get a book on SQL at the library, install a trial of SQL server and learn every wrong way to make a database until you find the right way.

Jack

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Re: Where to learn very basic coding and SQL?
« Reply #21 on: June 03, 2015, 10:16:33 AM »
Microsoft learning has a lot of free stuff you can use to get started. They always have 180 day trials of all the products if you sign up to be spammed for life by Microsoft learning.

I'm pretty hands on so my suggestion is to get a book on SQL at the library, install a trial of SQL server and learn every wrong way to make a database until you find the right way.

There is absolutely no point in installing a trial version of proprietary software when the Free Software alternatives, such as MariaDB and PostgreSQL, are not only just as good, but also just as widely-used.

TheAnonOne

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Re: Where to learn very basic coding and SQL?
« Reply #22 on: June 03, 2015, 12:31:38 PM »
Microsoft learning has a lot of free stuff you can use to get started. They always have 180 day trials of all the products if you sign up to be spammed for life by Microsoft learning.

I'm pretty hands on so my suggestion is to get a book on SQL at the library, install a trial of SQL server and learn every wrong way to make a database until you find the right way.

There is absolutely no point in installing a trial version of proprietary software when the Free Software alternatives, such as MariaDB and PostgreSQL, are not only just as good, but also just as widely-used.

Visual Studio Community Edition is free, as are various versions of MS-SQL. (With NO TIME LIMIT) They are not trials.

While the open source options are awesome and could/should be looked at. Most large corporations are using .NET and MSSQL in gigantic portions of their business. For a career, I would NOT pass up these options.

Lookilu

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Re: Where to learn very basic coding and SQL?
« Reply #23 on: June 03, 2015, 01:37:20 PM »
+1 for the w3schools. I also  found this book to be very useful when I was in library school a few years ago: http://www.amazon.com/Head-First-HTML-Elisabeth-Robson/dp/0596159900/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1433360096&sr=8-1&keywords=head+start+html

LibrarIan

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Re: Where to learn very basic coding and SQL?
« Reply #24 on: June 03, 2015, 01:46:16 PM »
I used www.codingbat.com to learn the basics of java. Lots of great puzzles to solve, so it's kind of fun.

For sql, I know you can download Microsoft SQL Management Studio free of charge. You can then create a database full of tables of whatever you like and then start figuring out ways to access that information via sql.

scottish

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Re: Where to learn very basic coding and SQL?
« Reply #25 on: June 04, 2015, 08:12:13 PM »
Another option is sqlite.   It's very simple to setup and use, so you can quickly start playing with SQL.   I don't think it supports the full language, but it gets all the major concepts.