So let's say you've got the SQL bug. You're not sure whether you want to get into Microsoft's SQL Server or into MySQL. Let's say you're like me. You've always been fascinated with programming. However, just to make a simple calculator program in Java took you 6 years, and 1,000 lines of code.
And let's say that you've realized that an intense interest or passion in programming doesn't make you as good as real, professional programmers. (And you've gotten tired of your developer friends improving your 1,000 line programs with 10 lines that do the same thing!)
Now let's say that one day you get tasked with administering a SQL box. Yeah, yeah, yeah, that's happened before. You had seen them back in the old days when you had to make sure Backup Exec was backing up all those medical clinics you were sent to. Then when you had to install Asterisk phone systems you remember having to update the MySQL database Asterisk used.
Anyway, here you are looking at this silly, little SQL Server running on a Windows 2008 box. You make sure it's backed up, but beyond that what else is there to do? Then you open up SQL Server Management Studio. You see databases, and tables, stored procedures, etc. What is all this stuff?
As you dig deeper you find that SQL is a type of programming language. You try some queries and find that you seem to have a knack for them. You actually like this querying stuff! You decide to learn more about it, and maybe....just maybe...you can actually get a job doing it.
But how?
You go to interviews and you're told that you're the nicest guy they've ever interviewed! However, you don't have the experience they need. Okay....well...how can I get the experience if you won't hire me!? Interview after interview....no SQL job. Yet, the desire for SQL burns within you as strongly as wanting the writers of LOST to rewrite the ending in the way they wanted it to be done...had the network given them the time.
Months pass by. You teach yourself SQL, but it isn't like a real SQL job. SQL mocks you. It says, "You'll never know me deeply! You can't have me!" Much like that stripper at the club where you drown your sorrows. Eventually, you decide suicide is your only way out. But before you close the garage door, and turn the car on you wonder....is there hope?
SELECT * FROM Hope WHERE user LIKE 'Anyone%';
In this blog post I'm going to take you on a journey. I'll tell you briefly how I got into SQL. I'll also tell you how I got a MySQL job. I'll actually put here the notes I used as I was building up my experience.
This won't be a career guide. This is my journey through SQL. Specifically, right now I work in MySQL running on Linux. At home I have MySQL running on my Mac. It's an El Capitan install which was quite a pain to get up and running. But I digress...
Currently I'm writing up a document specifically geared towards MySQL.
I'll also be putting posts in here that might only incidentally relate to SQL. Sometimes NONE of my posts may have anything even to do with computers. It might be some rant. Who knows?
Stay tuned.
