SQL rookie needs assistance

[Guest]

I'm less than a rookie, actually...

What is an SQL and how do I use it in an Access DB?

I'm fairly sure that there is a broad range of answers but if someone could
just give me a basic idea and then point me to some good literature.

 

[George Hepworth]

SQL stands for "Structured Query Language". It is a language used to
retrieve recordsets from tables in a relational database.

http://www.amazon.com/SQL-Queries-Mere-Mortals-Hands/dp/0201433362 is widely
regarded as an excellent resource.

George

 

[George Nicholson]

Note that "SQL" has been incorporated into various product names (my SQL,
SQL Server, etc), but that doesn't mean they are "more" SQL than other
products.

In the case of Access however, it can be confusing. Access can be used as a
user interface (aka front end) for data stored in a SQL Server database
(backend). The confusion comes when people inadvertently shorten "SQL Server
back-end" to "SQL back-end", or even SQL. So sometimes you have to watch the
context in which its used: query language or product?

HTH,

 

[Guest]

Thank you George. I will definately be learning as much as I can about SQL
in the near future so keep an eye open for more posts from me

 

[John W. Vinson]

I'm less than a rookie, actually...

What is an SQL and how do I use it in an Access DB?

I'm fairly sure that there is a broad range of answers but if someone could
just give me a basic idea and then point me to some good literature.

Just to add to both George's answers... SQL, Structured Query Language, is the
language in which database queries are written. If you create a Query in
Access using the query grid, what's actually happening is that the program is
using your input to construct a query in this SQL language. You can select
View... SQL, or use the leftmost dropdown in the query design toolbar to
select SQL view - and it's a worthwhile exercise to do so!

The language takes some effort to learn, but it lets you do things that you
cannot do in the grid at all, and often lets you do things more simply than
the grid can manage (multiple AND and OR criteria for example).

John W. Vinson [MVP]