Databases

Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Express Edition is a free, compact version of the popular enterprise database server. The Express Edition is ideal for database professionals seeking a desktop testing environment or for those learning about databases or SQL Server for the first time who need a platform they can install on a personal computer to create a learning environment.

Read the full story: Installing SQL Server 2012 Express Edition

In a recent forum message, DeppG wrote:

"I am having a database with thousands of records , so if any record is changed, I want to know the specific record that has been updated , I cannot use forms, I tried Timestamp , but it does not update if any existing row is updated, it works only once for the new row only. Is there any way if any row is edited and i can get to know which row had been updated."

Can you help? Interested in answers to the same question? Visit the About Databases Forum and join the discussion!

So, you'd like to learn more about Microsoft Access 2010 and you don't know where to begin. I've selected seven of my favorite introductory-level Access books for your perusal.

Check out the list: Access 2010 Books for Beginners

In a recent forum message, Carrow wrote:

"I am using sql server management studio express 2005 and it does not have import/export functionality. I was wondering if sql server management express 2008 has these functionalities or not and it possible to use to connect to sql server 2005?"

Can you help? Interested in answers to the same question? Visit the About Databases Forum and join the discussion!

The Structured Query Language (SQL) provides database users with the ability to create customized queries to extract information from databases. In an earlier article, we explored extracting information from a database using SQL SELECT queries. Let's expand upon that discussion and explore how you can perform advanced queries to retrieve data that matches specific conditions.

Read the full tutorial: Selecting Data Within Ranges in SQL

SQL's UNION command allows you to combine the results of two or more database queries that are not necessarily linked through a database relationship. For example, imagine that you have a school database and wish to use it to create a master contact list for all students, faculty and staff. Looking at your database, you discover that the records corresponding to each of these constituencies appears in separate database tables.

Your first instinct might be to export the data from each table into a spreadsheet and combine the information there. However, you can combine these records within your database by writing separate queries for each constituency and combining the results of those queries with the UNION statement.

Read the full article: Combining Query Results with SQL's UNION Statement

After sending out your holiday cards last year, did you make yourself a promise that you would organize your address list to make the process easier next year? Do you have a huge Excel spreadsheet that you can't make heads or tails of? Maybe your address book looks something like the one shown in the file below. Or, perhaps, you keep your address book on (gasp!) scraps of paper.

It's time to make good on that promise to yourself -- organize your contact list into a Microsoft Access database. It's much easier than you may imagine and you'll definitely be pleased with the results. This tutorial will walk you through the entire process step-by-step.

If you're using Access 2007, read: Converting Excel to Access 2007
If you're using Access 2010, read: Converting Excel to Access 2010

Just getting started with databases? Here's a rundown of the top things that I wish I knew before I got started in the field. These facts are guaranteed to make your life easier!

Read the full article: Top Five Things Beginners Need to Know About Databases

In a recent forum message, dgerhert0 asks:

"I am new to databases and I want to increase my knowledge by preparing for vendor certifications. Does it really matter which vendor I choose -- ie IBM. Microsoft, Oracle? After all, at some level, aren't all databases the same?"

Do you have any advice? Interested in pursuing database certifications yourself? Visit the About Databases Forum and join the discussion!

SQL Server Migration Assistant (SSMA) provides database administrators with a smooth way to transition from their existing database platform to Microsoft SQL Server. The migration assistants are able to transfer data to either a server-based SQL Server database or to Microsoft's SQL Azure cloud-based database platform.

Read the full story: SQL Server Migration Assistant