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Can anyone recommend a quality source to learn databases? I am changing careers and have no background in computers but this is what I have chosen to do now.

I was thinking of taking an intro course at a community college but I have no problem teaching myself with a book and some software.

Any suggestions are welcome. Thank you.

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You may get a better response at stackoverflow.com, where the IT professionals are. – JNK Aug 6 '10 at 13:59
Thanks. Will give it a shot – winarm Aug 6 '10 at 15:31
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closed as off topic by soandos, studiohack♦ Nov 23 '11 at 0:17

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2 Answers

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The local community colleges would at least be worth checking out. There should be a database fundamentals class. You could at least see which database they are teaching and which textbook they are using. I wouldn't be surprised if the first database class is teaching MS Access. You may be able to attend the class online.

Installing Access, getting a good book on the subject and looking at the Access help documentation and online resources should get you started. I personally wouldn't bother with Access applications or VBA (visual basic for applications). Whenever I have used access, which isn't often, I use it only for a database. There are more powerful tools than VBA.

Once you complete the fundamentals class there should be a couple of more advanced classes that will teach an industry standard database and be much more involved.

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Thank you. I was thinking along the same lines. I am trying to accelerate my learning curve and would like to avoid spending an entire semester on an introductory course. – winarm Aug 6 '10 at 15:32
The fundamental database class I took at a community college was at least fun and interesting but I wasn't looking to accelerate the learning curve. The more advanced database classes would definitely be worthwhile...lots of work. You would probably have to be able to test out of any prerequisite classes to attend the first more advanced class. – CHarmon Aug 6 '10 at 15:57
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I can highly recommend http://www.globalknowledge.com. I have recently taken 2 remote classes (working completely from home) for M$ SQL DBA and Windows Server 2008 administration.

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