MySQL learning resources

I plan on trying MySQL out, for personal use. I'm familiar with SQL, but largley unfamiliar with running a database program (I am at the point where MySQL is installed and running properly).

Does anyone know of any particularily good resources for learning how to work with MySQL? What are your thoughts on MySQL as an application?

Maxim,
I'm happy with MySQL. I would recommend downloading a graphical tool for database management too. For example, you could use Free Mascon.

The help documentation that comes with mySql is pretty good if you want to accomplish a specific task. There are also books, but I haven't ready any to comment on.

Hi -

I came from a background in Oracle 6, 7, 8 and a little 9i) and MS-SQL (6.5, 7 and SQL-2000), and played with mySQL and PostgreSQL a little last Spring. I was frankly shocked at all the things mySQL *couldn't* do:

- No subselects
- No ANSI- 99 "join" syntax
- Limited pre-ANSI 99 joins
- No stored procedures
- Etc etc

Now admittedly, my Linux came bundled with a relatively old version of mySQL (my version was 3.23, the current GA is 4.0.21; mySQL 5.0 is in alpha) and, admittedly, there were workarounds for each of the limitations I encountered.

But my overall impression was that mySQL is to Linux very much like MS-Access is to Windows: an excellent solution for a large number of tasks ... but *not* the best way to learn "SQL" per se.

In addition to looking at mySQL, I'd strongly urge you to consider Oracle (which is available as a free download for developers), PostgreSQL, Sybase or other alternatives as well.

IMHO...

Your .. PSM

If you choose Oracle, be prepared to buy a new RAM !