SQL Question

[J. Lok]

Hi!

I've been using Access for a year or two but I still don't have any idea
about SQL. Can someone answer the set of question that I have?

1. What is SQL?
2. What are the benefits it can provide for MS Access?
3. Can I use it in MS Access 2000?

If possible, please povide a link to where I could learn how to use SQL.
Thanks!

 

[Rick Brandt]

Hi!

I've been using Access for a year or two but I still don't have any
idea about SQL. Can someone answer the set of question that I have?

1. What is SQL?
2. What are the benefits it can provide for MS Access?
3. Can I use it in MS Access 2000?

If possible, please povide a link to where I could learn how to use
SQL. Thanks!

1) SQL is the language used to query or interact with most databases.

2) It lets you query or interact with the data in the Access database.

3) Yes, you can use it with all versions of Access.

What is likely confusing you is that you don't realize that the query
designer is merely a GUI wrapper that writes SQL for you in the background.
If you have ever built a query, applied a filter, applied a sort, then you
have used SQL. It is just that Access wrote it for you instead of you
typing it out manually.

Now, if what you're really asking is "what are the benefits to writing out
SQL Manually?" the answer is that there are absolutely none as long as you
can get Access to do everything you need without doing so. Perhaps with the
exception of acquiring a new skill.

There are certain queries that cannot be created in Access using the design
grid and as you get into more advanced VBA, you will often need to construct
SQL statements in your code. So depending on how far you go with Access and
what your requirements are you might find that you almost never need to use
SQL or you might find that you are using it a lot.

 

[pietlinden]

Hi!

I've been using Access for a year or two but I still don't have any idea
about SQL. Can someone answer the set of question that I have?

1. What is SQL?
2. What are the benefits it can provide for MS Access?
3. Can I use it in MS Access 2000?

If possible, please povide a link to where I could learn how to use SQL.
Thanks!

Structured Query Language.
you can't write queries without it... that's what the query designer
does - writes SQL statements

 

[Tom Wickerath]

Hi J. Lok,

1. What is SQL?

SQL stands for Structured Query Language. This is the language of Relational
Database Management Systems (RDBMS). When you create a query in Access, using
the familiar QBE (Query By Example) grid, Access creates the equivalent SQL
statement for you. You can view the SQL by clicking on View | SQL View, when
you have a query opened in design view.

A Gentle Introduction to SQL
http://sqlzoo.net/

SQLCourse - Interactive Online SQL Training for Beginners
http://www.sqlcourse.com/

SQL Queries for Mere Mortals
http://www.amazon.com/dp/0321444434

2. What are the benefits it can provide for MS Access?

Well, without SQL, Access would not be a useable product. (Kind of like
asking "What are the benefits of having a heart to pump blood?"

3. Can I use it in MS Access 2000?

SQL is used in all versions of Access, from version 1.0 to Access 2007,
including Access Data Projects (ADPs). Any time you create a query, you are
using SQL. In addition, there are temporary queries that Access creates for
you, so you're likely (I think) using SQL even if you base a form or report
on a table instead of a query.


Tom Wickerath
Microsoft Access MVP
http://www.accessmvp.com/TWickerath/
http://www.access.qbuilt.com/html/expert_contributors.html
__________________________________________

 

[J. Lok]

Thanks for the info!