Chapter 2. Where Can I Write SQL Code?
This chapter covers three places where you can write SQL code:
- RDBMS Software
-
To write SQL code, you first have to download an RDBMS like MySQL, Oracle, PostgreSQL, SQL Server, or SQLite. The nuances of each RDBMS are highlighted in “RDBMS Software”.
- Database Tools
-
Once you’ve downloaded an RDBMS, the most basic way to write SQL code is through a terminal window, which is a text-only black-and-white screen. Most people prefer to use a database tool instead, which is a more user-friendly application that connects to an RDBMS behind the scenes.
A database tool will have a graphical user interface (GUI), which allows users to visually explore tables and more easily edit SQL code. “Database Tools” goes through how to connect a database tool to an RDBMS.
- Other Programming Languages
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SQL can be written within many other programming languages. This chapter focuses on two in particular: Python and R. They are popular open source programming languages used by data scientists and data analysts, who often need to write SQL code as well.
Instead of switching back and forth between Python/R and an RDBMS, you can connect Python/R directly to an RDBMS and write SQL code within Python/R. “Other Programming Languages” walks through how to do so step by step.
RDBMS Software
This section includes installation instructions and short code snippets for the five RDBMSs that are covered in this book.
Which RDBMS to Choose?
If you are working at a company ...
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