As many of you will know, I’ve been having a few interviews as of late. The one thing that has come up from these interviews is that I have no training in SQL (Structured Query Language or Standard Query Language)
Pronounced: ESS-Queue-ELL
NOT: Sequel as most recruitment people think it’s pronounced
Anyway, since more than a few of the companies I’ve interviewed with have asked:
Have you experience with SQL?
I’ve had to answer in the negative, but try to assure them that I pick things up quickly. I’ve had enough of having to provide a negative answer in these situations, so I’ve started to learn SQL.
An Insomnia Cure?
I’ve bought a mobi (Kindle eBook) on SQL, and have been attempting to learn SQL from that. the only problem is that I keep losing consciousness. The reason:
SQL is boring!
At least SQL is exceptionally boring from a Procedural Programming point of view; mainly because it’s not a procedural language. Even so this is the first time I’ve ever read a book, and lost consciousness because the subject matter was THAT droll. Whenever my brain is active I can’t switch off, and when reading my brain is pretty active.
For those playing the home game, a procedural language is a computer programming language that the programmer uses to enter code using a defined set of procedures to attain a goal. An example would be brewing a cup of green tea:
- Get mug
- Fill kettle
- Boil water
- Add tea bag to mug
- When water has boiled, add to mug
- Leave to brew for 2-3 minutes
- Remove tea bag
- Enjoy
Whereas SQL is non-procedural; which means that you don’t tell it how to get the answer, just the answer you want. The DBMS (DataBase Management System) takes your answer request and reads through the database, finding you the answer when and where it can.
This is not to say that I don’t like all non-procedural languages. I enjoy the challenge involved in the construction and deployment of Prolog statements and functions. (If you value your sanity, you’ll avoid using Prolog wherever possible)
I think that my dislike from SQL must come from the extreme importance ‘experts’ place on it. I’ll agree that a £30k salary is worth defending, but not at the cost of (seemingly) inventing words in the middle of conversations just to justify your massive pay check.
Anyway, that’s a topic for a rant at another time
Have fun,
J
