How should I Learn

[Geoffrey james]

I've been doing static and flash sites for a few years but feel i REALLY need to learn how to do databases so i can try creating Dynamic Sites.

So far im self taught but would love to try getting qualified, anyway, what would you all say the best way to learn how to create databases is?

I have a connection to my server through phpMyadmin, or should I learn and get use to using my MySQL Command Line Prompt instead.

Cheers for all advice.

Geoffb

[eelixduppy]

I'd learn through the command line because it will give you all the hands-on experience. If you use an interface such as phpmyadmin it takes away what is happening behind the scenes a little bit.

Anyway, the best way to learn is to play around with different things, but of course you need a starting place. I'd go to your local library and pick up a cheap book on beginning MySQL or similar, or even visit their site: mysql.com. Read everything you can get your hands on and try out each thing you read. You do this for awhile and you'll be well on your way to dealing with databases.

Good luck :)

[mjwalshe]

Id second the learn via the command line route phpmyadmin is just to cludgy.

Id get the mysql admin and mysql query browser tools from the mysql site and use those to learn with.

The query browser is very good as good if net better than the enterprise manager that I had when I worked on oracle databases.

I also recomend [oreilly.com...] which covers the sytax for the main sql varaints (this is for a bit later when you just need to look up how mysql does somthing as opposed to oracle, posgress sqlserver)

[steve]

If you don't like phpadmin try navicat. There's a free version on their website.

[vincevincevince]

I'm of the opinion that something like phpmyadmin is a good tool for the beginner and even the more experienced user in order to set things up. By that I mean that it gives you a head start on making a database, tables and an index.

That means you can get on with the more essential learning - INSERT, SELECT and UPDATE. I rarely see MySQL-based systems which create tables or databases after a run-once setup, so if you only have time to learn a few commands, then yes - skip over those - use something which does them for you!