How best to learn RDBMS Part 1

A relational database management system (RDBMS) is a type of database that stores data in tables. Tables are made up of rows and columns, and each row represents a single record. Each column represents a different attribute of the record.

RDBMSs are the most popular type of database, and they are used by businesses of all sizes to store data such as customer information, product information, and financial data.

If you are interested in learning how to use RDBMSs, there are a few things you can do:

Take a course: There are many online and offline courses available that can teach you the basics of RDBMSs. Personally I would advise you to take popular courses include:

1. IBM's Introduction to Relational Databases:https://www.coursera.org/learn/introduction-to-relational-databases
2. Introduction to Databases by Stanford University on Coursera
3. SQL for Beginners by Udemy

Read books: There are also a number of books available on RDBMSs. Some popular books include:

1. SQL in a Nutshell by Kevin Kline
2. MySQL Crash Course by David Chappell
3. PostgreSQL 13 Tutorial by Hans-Jürgen Schönig

Practice: The best way to learn RDBMSs is by practicing. You can download a free RDBMS such as MySQL or PostgreSQL and start creating and managing your own databases.

Personally, I would advise you download the XAMPP Control Panel and learn to use PhpMyAdmin from there. Create some databases and perfrom some CRUD operations.

Here are some more tips for learning RDBMSs:

1. Understanding the Basics

Before you start your RDBMS journey, it's crucial to understand the fundamental concepts:

• Tables: These are like spreadsheets that store data in rows and columns.
• Rows: Each row in a table represents a unique data record.
• Columns: Columns hold specific types of data, like names, dates, or numbers.
• Primary Keys: A primary key uniquely identifies each row in a table.
• Foreign Keys: These are used to establish relationships between tables. -Take your time to grasp these basics, as they are the building blocks of RDBMS.

1. Choosing the Right RDBMS

There are various RDBMS systems available, including MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQL Server, and Oracle. The best one for you depends on your specific needs.

MySQL: It's open source and great for small to medium-sized projects.
PostgreSQL: Known for its advanced features and extensibility.
SQL Server: Ideal for Windows-based environments.
Oracle: A robust option for large enterprises.
Start with a free or open-source system for practice.

3.Setting Up Your Environment

After choosing an RDBMS, it's time to set up your environment. You can install these systems on your local machine or use cloud-based solutions. Tutorials for installation are readily available online.

In Part 2, we will discuss more advanced topics such as SQL joins, subqueries, and transactions.