Re: SQL knowledge, was (Re: Válasz: AW: Another order by question ? / Thanks)

["R. Bruce Hoffman, Jr." <rbruceh@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

-----Original Message-----
From: rob@dekko.com <rob@dekko.com>
To: RPG400-L@midrange.com <RPG400-L@midrange.com>
Date: Tuesday, July 03, 2001 11:00 AM
Subject: SQL knowledge, was (Re: Válasz: AW: Another order by question ? /
Thanks)



>I've dabbled in SQL for years.  But how is it recommended that I learn all
>of these options?  When I studied in college it focused on specific
>languages and database concepts were not part of the community college
>scene.  But then again, I left a university with punched cards for a
>community college with a S/34 and all the terminal time you wanted.  And I
>don't miss programming fortran in which the disgruntled grad student wanted
>to show off his knowledge of advanced calculus versus showing you the
>programming concepts involved.
>But please focus on SQL and not my rant on education.



by options, I assume that you are refering to the coalesce function... this
is not a function that jumps out at people, but is quite common in database
SQL in general.

this function is in the SQL reference, including the definition.

Whenever I worked with Oracle, Sybase, Informix, or DB2, I always made sure
the reference is handy. There are always subtle differences, and you (at
least I) can't *always* keep the details in your head. But I can usually
have that "deja vu" feeling that sends me through the function list quickly
to jog my memory.

As for knowing when to use it, I consider reading through the functions say
during a rainy weekend. I don't try to memorize the functions, just try to
get a feel for what's available.


The learning, just like other languages, just comes with doing...

===========================================================
R. Bruce Hoffman, Jr.
 -- IBM Certified Specialist - AS/400 Administrator
 -- IBM Certified Specialist - RPG IV Developer

"America is the land that fought for freedom and then
  began passing laws to get rid of it."

     - Alfred E. Neuman



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