Today I got introduced to SQL or standard query language. It was not hard. The syntax is almost plain english. The class was thought to use the console and not a GUI. The exercise brought flashbacks about my MSDOS days. The time when we use floppy disks the 5 inch thin floppys. Good thing storage memories are getting cheaper and smaller.
I was able learn how to a create database, how to create a table, how to input data, and how to view data. We were using mySQL since the short course that I am taking is all about open source web development (LAMP). I am using MAMP though because it so happen I am using a Macbook. In class though, we are using WAMP since most of the computers here in the Philippines use Windows. The school is no different, I even find it odd that they offered a LAMP class but they do not provide computers that are LAMP ready.
A good resource about learning SQL or even other web development related programming is the http://www.w3schools.com/ website. While playing around with mySQL, I inputed the wrong data type in one of my fields. The supposed syntax for changing according to my teacher was ALTER TABLE table_name ALTER COLUMN column_name datatype. After several attempts with this command, we keep getting error messages. We check w3schools.com and it says the same thing. We even checked HeidiSQL. We eventually figured out that it should be CHANGE COLUMN rather than ALTER COLUMN.
I had fun today and I am not really that scared with databases since I used to make dbase programs way back in 1992-93. It has been almost 20 years since I made program. Luckily there is some sort of muscle memory that made me comfortable with databases. I am looking forward to using a GUI for SQL and also its integration with php and web development. ;)
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