SQL Language

SQL Programming

In order to work with databases you must have some knowledge of SQL programming.  SQL is a programming language that is not owned or developed by any company, however most all databases vendors rely on this programming standard.  This must not be confused with Microsoft's SQL Server, which is merely one database, that as well uses the SQL programming language.

(For purposes on this article, all references to SQL are referring to the standardized programming language.)

Most of the lower level databases such as Microsoft's Access or FileMaker have easy to use design interfaces which simplify the design of a database.  On the other hand, the more powerful databases don't have easy to use interfaces, and if you want to work with a robust DBMS (Database Management Systems), you will have to have a solid understanding of how to create tables, fields, indexes, triggers, and manage relationships.

Popular Database Servers:
	Microsoft SQL Server
	MySQL
	Informix
	IBM DB2
	Microsoft Access
	4th Dimension
	Sybase
	Fox Pro
	Oracle
	File Maker

If you choose to visit any of the sites listed above, you will want to become familiar with their design environment.  The design environment and administrative functionality will help you get an idea about managing a database.  Once you get an idea about how things work, you will be better able to participate in selecting the best database to suit your needs. 

You should expect that the more complicated the DBMS, the more it will cost to develop and maintain.  Even once the project is completed, you will undoubtedly need professional help to manage your database solution.  However, if it is setup properly and configured correctly, you these additional costs can be minimized. 
 

Learn More about SQL Programming

SQL Programming (Continued)

SQL is a language that is text based and the exact same commands will work within any database management system.  Now DBMS systems have not stopped there, they have gone an extra step and some have enhanced their software with additional programming languages.  MS SQL Server has T-SQL, and Oracle has PL/SQL, etc...  These additional software design platforms can simplify and enhance the design capabilities of a database.

Primary and secondary keys are invaluable and necessary part of database design.  Keys are a part of what is typically referred to as a relational design.  Primary and secondary keys are used to relate data elements to one another.  For example, let's assume to have a customer named Bob.  Bob is in your database with many different fields of information ( First Name, Last Name, Phone Number, etc...)  Now assume that you ask bob for his address.  Bob responds that he has  different addresses.  He likes to use his business address, his home address, and he likes to have his packages shipped to his mothers house.  You can probably see from this example that Bob's three address represent a one-to-many relationship.  Bob is the one / with many different addresses.  One way to handle this in a database would be to create two tables.  One table with customer information and a second table with customer addresses.  The second table would relate to the first table using a primary key and secondary key relationship.  Let's assume that Bob's customer number is "bob1".  In the customer table "bob1" will be title the primary key, and in the address table "bob1" will also appear and will be titled the secondary key.  Using this design, you will be able to look at any address and relate it back to a particular customer.

Indexing should be a major concern of any database that expects to have a large database, or a high number of users.  Both of the previously listed constraints are subjective and primarily dependent on the servers and operating systems that surround your database.  The server and the network being two primary causes of slow database reaction.  An index helps a database to

Designing databases using SQL can be both a time consuming and difficult task.  It is generally best left up to professionals and qualified database administrators.  If you have design questions, please don't hesitate to visit our contact us page.  If you are building your own site or want to find out about the services we offer, please visit our Contact Us page and we will be glad to help you.



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