Newbie needs help getting started

  • Thread starter Thread starter Unemployed Programmer
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Unemployed Programmer

OK, here's my situation. I am an unemployed programmer with experience in
VC++ using DAO with an Access DB. I am now learning .NET so that I can get a
job. I have installed Windows XP Pro and Visual Studio .NET 2003 Academic. I
also have Microsoft Office, which has Access 97.

I would like to start tooling around with ADO.NET programming, especially SQL
Server, as that seems to be what employers want in a programmer these days. I
have a few books that seem to show the commands that need to be done, and I'm
ahving no problem with that. However, these books leave out the most
important thing - how to create a database! When it comes time to actually
use a database, it's always, go to an example database already set up (e.g.,
Northwinds.) Well, if I have to create a database for a client, I think it is
going to be expected that I know how to set a database!

I realize that database connectivity could be pretty tricky, so I would not
have a problem if I just knew how to create and connect to a database on the
local machine. I can learn how to have a remote system later on.

So that's what I would like help on. I would also like to know if any books
out there actually deal with this topic rather than just assume that a
programmer who reads the book does not need to know how to do this task.

Another question is whether I have enough software to even do ADO.NET. Do I
need to buy SQL Server? Is it part of my Visual Studio .NET distribution? Is
there some type of simple and inexpensive SQL Server type of product that I
play around with enough to be able to tell a potential employer that, yes, I
know how to set up an SQL Server database.

Any other tips to get me going? Is there a FAQ I should read?

Thanks
 
i trained on Oracle because that's what my company used for this time & attendace db i would be working in.
since then, i've found the other 90% of what my company and the rest of the world uses is sql server.
i have had no problem making the transition at all into sql server, with no help other than a couple of books, some from Wrox Press and Some from Murach.
personally i would buy a copy of SQL server rather than use the MSDE engine.
you'll want to be familiar with EnterPrise Manager and Query Anaylizer.
it just makes sql server life easier.
i've seen various prices out there from under $100 to "youve got to be kidding"
and with longhorn coming out, i'll bet prices will get even better.

but connectivity is easy.............and tricky. what worked just fine using local host, dies a terrible death when deployed, but there's a lot of really good knowledge out there (this forum being one of them) that have gotten me thru many obstacles..............and i go to school for this as well.

what ive noticed as far as the job market is most businesses use sql server, they want C# Using Visual Studio in the .NET framework. personally i prefer VB.NET and im told that VB will become much stronger in the new release of VS.

i picked up javascript as well on a "need" basis and think that the combination of javascipt with C# or VB.NET is indespensible with a web application.

creating a db in sql server is very easy. building the tables, easy, indexes easy.
the stored procedures are a little strange to me, im used to oracle.

anyway, hope some of this info help.
thanks
rik

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