SQL to combine columns

[Steve London]

I'm sure this has been brought up many times, but I will ask anyway.

Let's say I have 2 tables related:

Owner:
---------
o_id
o_name

Dog:
---------
d_id
d_name
o_id - for Owner table.

If the data is laid out as

o_id o_name
1 John

d_id d_name o_id
1 Skippy 1
2 Fido 1

How can I make a query that will produce the following results:

o_id o_name owned dog names
1 John Skippy, Fido

I think it has something to do with unions but I can't seem to get it. I'm
using SQL Server Compact Edition.

[Erland Sommarskog]

Re: SQL to combine columns

Steve London (sylondon@opton line.net) writes:

Let's say I have 2 tables related:
>
Owner:
---------
o_id
o_name
>
Dog:
---------
d_id
d_name
o_id - for Owner table.
>
If the data is laid out as
>
o_id o_name
1 John
>
d_id d_name o_id
1 Skippy 1
2 Fido 1
>
How can I make a query that will produce the following results:
>
o_id o_name owned dog names
1 John Skippy, Fido
>
I think it has something to do with unions but I can't seem to get it.
I'm using SQL Server Compact Edition.

There isn't any straight-forward way of doing this. It is possible do this
one statement with a quirk of XML as in this example:

select CustomerID,
substring(OrdId List, 1, datalength(OrdI dList)/2 - 1)
-- strip the last ',' from the list
from
Customers c cross apply
(select convert(nvarcha r(30), OrderID) + ',' as [text()]
from Orders o
where o.CustomerID = c.CustomerID
order by o.OrderID
for xml path('')) as Dummy(OrdIdList )
go

I don't know if all this syntax is available, in Compact Edition, though.
(While called SQL Server, it's an entirely different engine.)

Else you will have run a cursor to achieve this result.




--
Erland Sommarskog, SQL Server MVP, esquel@sommarsk og.se

Books Online for SQL Server 2005 at

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/sql/2005/downloads/books.mspx

Books Online for SQL Server 2000 at

http://www.microsoft.com/sql/prodinfo/previousversions/books.mspx

[Plamen Ratchev]

Re: SQL to combine columns

"Erland Sommarskog" <esquel@sommars kog.sewrote in message
news:Xns98EDF17 7951DAYazorman@ 127.0.0.1...

>
I don't know if all this syntax is available, in Compact Edition, though.
(While called SQL Server, it's an entirely different engine.)
>
Else you will have run a cursor to achieve this result.
>

I had to work with the Compact Edition recently and it supports really a
limited set of T-SQL. There are no stored procedures, user functions,
control of flow constructs (like IF..ELSE, but CASE is available), views,
triggers, and cursors. None of the new ranking functions for SQL 2005 are
available as well as the XML specific handling (like FOR XML). Also, CROSS
APPLY is not supported, and no DECLARE for variables...

It is really "compact" and to keep it that way it has only the basic query
support of the database engine (and I mean really basic - I could not even
use derived tables in FROM and subqueries in the SELECT list). For all other
functionality it depends on the rich functionality of ADO.NET and/or your
application layer. So, probably the best way to approach this problem is to
solve it in the application logic.

HTH,

Plamen Ratchev

http://www.SQLStudio.com

[yuri]

Re: SQL to combine columns

Yea, I already do it in the Application Layer. It was just a passing fancy
to remove some code and let SQL do it.

I think I sent you an email accidently. Just delete it. Sorry about that.
Windows Mail is so stupid. I really need to switch.

"Plamen Ratchev" <Plamen@SQLStud io.comwrote in message
news:TadIh.1078 6$tD2.396@newsr ead1.news.pas.e arthlink.net...

"Erland Sommarskog" <esquel@sommars kog.sewrote in message
news:Xns98EDF17 7951DAYazorman@ 127.0.0.1...

>>
>I don't know if all this syntax is available, in Compact Edition, though.
>(While called SQL Server, it's an entirely different engine.)
>>
>Else you will have run a cursor to achieve this result.
>>

>
I had to work with the Compact Edition recently and it supports really a
limited set of T-SQL. There are no stored procedures, user functions,
control of flow constructs (like IF..ELSE, but CASE is available), views,
triggers, and cursors. None of the new ranking functions for SQL 2005 are
available as well as the XML specific handling (like FOR XML). Also, CROSS
APPLY is not supported, and no DECLARE for variables...
>
It is really "compact" and to keep it that way it has only the basic query
support of the database engine (and I mean really basic - I could not even
use derived tables in FROM and subqueries in the SELECT list). For all
other functionality it depends on the rich functionality of ADO.NET and/or
your application layer. So, probably the best way to approach this problem
is to solve it in the application logic.
>
HTH,
>
Plamen Ratchev

http://www.SQLStudio.com

>
>

[Erland Sommarskog]

Re: SQL to combine columns

Plamen Ratchev (Plamen@SQLStud io.com) writes:

I had to work with the Compact Edition recently and it supports really a
limited set of T-SQL. There are no stored procedures, user functions,
control of flow constructs (like IF..ELSE, but CASE is available), views,
triggers, and cursors. None of the new ranking functions for SQL 2005 are
available as well as the XML specific handling (like FOR XML). Also, CROSS
APPLY is not supported, and no DECLARE for variables...

But, it has at least one thing big brother does not have: ALTER TABLE
syntax to add/remove the IDENTITY property. I find it amazing.

--
Erland Sommarskog, SQL Server MVP, esquel@sommarsk og.se

Books Online for SQL Server 2005 at

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/sql/2005/downloads/books.mspx

Books Online for SQL Server 2000 at

http://www.microsoft.com/sql/prodinfo/previousversions/books.mspx

[Plamen Ratchev]

Re: SQL to combine columns

:) Good catch!

I guess it makes sense to give a little more power in some areas to
compensate for others. There are some sides of the Compact Edition that make
it very attractive (in particular situations). I like that it has a very
small footprint (only 7 DLLs) and it can be installed via copying the DLLs
to the application directory (that way no administrative privileges
required). Also, supports the ADO.NET Sync Framework, allows to have the
database file on a network share, and to some degree higher safety (since it
does not support T-SQL procedural code). And if the OLE DB provider is used
then no need to install the .NET 2.0 Framework. So, a good addition to the
family...

Plamen Ratchev

http://www.SQLStudio.com

[--CELKO--]

Re: SQL to combine columns

>I'm sure this has been brought up many times, but I will ask anyway. <<

Yes it is brought up all the time because people will not bother to
read even one book on RDBMS, so they keep asking this kind of thing
over and over. Please post DDL, so that people do not have to guess
what the keys, constraints, Declarative Referential Integrity, data
types, etc. in your schema are. Let's start by doing what you should
have done for us:

CREATE TABLE Owners -- plural if you have more than one
(owner_id INTEGER NOT NULL PRIMARY KEY,
owner_name CHAR(20) NOT NULL);

CREATE TABLE Dogs -- plural if you have more than one
(dog_id INTEGER NOT NULL PRIMARY KEY,
dog_name CHAR(20) NOT NULL);

Why did you think that an owner is an attribute of a dog? It is a
relationship! It might have attributes of its own, like license
numbers, issue date, etc. but let's ignore that.

CREATE TABLE Ownership-- plural if you have more than one
(owner_id INTEGER NOT NULL
REFERENCES Owners(owner_id )
ON UPDATE CASCADE
ON DELETE CASCADE,
dog_id INTEGER NOT NULL
REFERENCES Dogs(dog_id)
ON UPDATE CASCADE
ON DELETE CASCADE,
PRIMARY KEY (dog_id, owner_id));

>How can I make a query that will produce the following results: <<

Why do you wish to destroy First Normal Form (1NF) with a concatenated
list structure? It is the foundation of RDBMS, after all. See why I
say you never read a book on RDBMS.

Why are you formatting data in the back end? The basic principle of a
tiered architecture is that display is done in the front end and never
in the back end. This is a more basic programming principle than just
SQL and RDBMS.

Yes, trhre are some proprietary, stinking kludges that can do this.
But do you want to be a good SQL programmer instead?

[yuri]

Re: SQL to combine columns

But do you want to be a good SQL programmer instead?

No, I want to be the worst programmer on the planet. I mean really.

Yes it is brought up all the time because people will not bother to
read even one book on RDBMS, so they keep asking this kind of thing
over and over. Please post DDL, so that people do not have to guess
what the keys, constraints, Declarative Referential Integrity, data
types, etc. in your schema are. Let's start by doing what you should
have done for us:

Oh, I'm sorry about that. I failed to get a copy of the CELKO SQL posting
etiquette. Could you please point me in the right direction?
Sarcasm aside, I will do this in the future. Thanks.

Why do you wish to destroy First Normal Form (1NF) with a concatenated
list structure? It is the foundation of RDBMS, after all. See why I
say you never read a book on RDBMS.

You're right I should have went out and bought a book on RDBMS. I mean who
would ever think about asking a question on the internet was possible. I
mean everybody should shut down all forums and rely on tech manuals because
they are always so well written and contain every piece of knowledge on the
planet about the subject, including all the hidden tips and tricks.
Questions will be a thing of the past. Just grab a book and your answer
will be there. Did you get criticized in class when you had a question
about something? Did the teacher yell at you, tell you to read the book and
never answer the question?

Since, my application is small and does very basic SQL usage, the internet
provided all the information I needed, but a book would have answered my
question so the might CELKO would not have been bothered. I guess I figured
there are some decent people out there that would be willing to help out
somebody new to the RDBMS world, thank you proving me wrong. Others, seem
just fine. Maybe you need to relax and not get so worked up over a
question. I mean if it bothers you that much you might want to take a
vacation and relax buddy before your next heart attack.

Why did you think that an owner is an attribute of a dog? It is a
relationship! It might have attributes of its own, like license
numbers, issue date, etc. but let's ignore that.

Why are you formatting data in the back end? The basic principle of a
tiered architecture is that display is done in the front end and never
in the back end. This is a more basic programming principle than just
SQL and RDBMS.

Thank you for all you criticism and posting how I failed to put license
numbers, issue date, and any other things for you. I tried to make it small
and simple for the example. I guess for CELKO it was a very, very poor
example.

I think a dog belongs to an owner. Can an owner have more than 1 dog?
Hmmm.... I think so in this example. Yes, creating a seperate table in this
example to handle 1 to many is politically correct but I wasn't asking to be
critiqued on correctness but for a simple answer to a simple question. I
already handle this in my application but it was a passing fancy to see if
it was possible to do in SQL to better my knowledge. Thanks for not
anwering my question and making a noob to RDBMS feel welcome. I appreciate
it!!!

Maybe, the great CELKO can recommend a book and help out a newly RDBMS
programmer into this world instead of criticising each and every word and
never help out except to say how bad and wrong the post was.

Steve London (Yuri)


"--CELKO--" <jcelko212@eart hlink.netwrote in message
news:1173533747 .995999.210930@ s48g2000cws.goo glegroups.com.. .

>>I'm sure this has been brought up many times, but I will ask anyway. <<

>
Yes it is brought up all the time because people will not bother to
read even one book on RDBMS, so they keep asking this kind of thing
over and over. Please post DDL, so that people do not have to guess
what the keys, constraints, Declarative Referential Integrity, data
types, etc. in your schema are. Let's start by doing what you should
have done for us:
>
CREATE TABLE Owners -- plural if you have more than one
(owner_id INTEGER NOT NULL PRIMARY KEY,
owner_name CHAR(20) NOT NULL);
>
CREATE TABLE Dogs -- plural if you have more than one
(dog_id INTEGER NOT NULL PRIMARY KEY,
dog_name CHAR(20) NOT NULL);
>
Why did you think that an owner is an attribute of a dog? It is a
relationship! It might have attributes of its own, like license
numbers, issue date, etc. but let's ignore that.
>
CREATE TABLE Ownership-- plural if you have more than one
(owner_id INTEGER NOT NULL
REFERENCES Owners(owner_id )
ON UPDATE CASCADE
ON DELETE CASCADE,
dog_id INTEGER NOT NULL
REFERENCES Dogs(dog_id)
ON UPDATE CASCADE
ON DELETE CASCADE,
PRIMARY KEY (dog_id, owner_id));
>

>>How can I make a query that will produce the following results: <<

>
Why do you wish to destroy First Normal Form (1NF) with a concatenated
list structure? It is the foundation of RDBMS, after all. See why I
say you never read a book on RDBMS.
>
Why are you formatting data in the back end? The basic principle of a
tiered architecture is that display is done in the front end and never
in the back end. This is a more basic programming principle than just
SQL and RDBMS.
>
Yes, trhre are some proprietary, stinking kludges that can do this.
But do you want to be a good SQL programmer instead?
>

[othellomy@yahoo.com]

Re: SQL to combine columns

On Mar 9, 3:43 am, "Steve London" <sylon...@opton line.netwrote:

I'm sure this has been brought up many times, but I will ask anyway.
>
Let's say I have 2 tables related:
>
Owner:
---------
o_id
o_name
>
Dog:
---------
d_id
d_name
o_id - for Owner table.
>
If the data is laid out as
>
o_id o_name
1 John
>
d_id d_name o_id
1 Skippy 1
2 Fido 1
>
How can I make a query that will produce the following results:
>
o_id o_name owned dog names
1 John Skippy, Fido
>
I think it has something to do with unions but I can't seem to get it. I'm
using SQL Server Compact Edition.

hi,
Following code will work but you might have to customize it to fit
your requirement.

declare @table table (o_id int, o_name varchar(50))
declare @dog table (d_id int, d_name varchar(50),o_i d int)
declare @owner_dogs table(o_id int, o_name varchar(50), d_name
varchar(50))
insert @table values (1,'John')
insert @dog values(1,'Skipp y',1)
insert @dog values(2,'Fido' ,1)

declare @dog_name varchar(50)

while (select count(*) from @dog) 0
begin
set rowcount 1
if @dog_name is null
begin
select @dog_name = d_name
from @dog
where o_id = 1
end
else
select @dog_name = @dog_name + ', ' + d_name
from @dog
where o_id = 1

delete @dog
end

insert @owner_dogs values(1,'John' ,@dog_name)
select * from @owner_dogs
set rowcount 0

[othellomy@yahoo.com]

Re: SQL to combine columns

On Mar 12, 2:43 pm, othell...@yahoo .com wrote:

On Mar 9, 3:43 am, "Steve London" <sylon...@opton line.netwrote:
>
>
>
>
>

I'm sure this has been brought up many times, but I will ask anyway.

>

Let's say I have 2 tables related:

>

Owner:
---------
o_id
o_name

>

Dog:
---------
d_id
d_name
o_id - for Owner table.

>

If the data is laid out as

>

o_id o_name
1 John

>

d_id d_name o_id
1 Skippy 1
2 Fido 1

>

How can I make a query that will produce the following results:

>

o_id o_name owned dog names
1 John Skippy, Fido

>

I think it has something to do with unions but I can't seem to get it. I'm
using SQL Server Compact Edition.

>
hi,
Following code will work but you might have to customize it to fit
your requirement.
>
declare @table table (o_id int, o_name varchar(50))
declare @dog table (d_id int, d_name varchar(50),o_i d int)
declare @owner_dogs table(o_id int, o_name varchar(50), d_name
varchar(50))
insert @table values (1,'John')
insert @dog values(1,'Skipp y',1)
insert @dog values(2,'Fido' ,1)
>
declare @dog_name varchar(50)
>
while (select count(*) from @dog) 0
begin
set rowcount 1
if @dog_name is null
begin
select @dog_name = d_name
from @dog
where o_id = 1
end
else
select @dog_name = @dog_name + ', ' + d_name
from @dog
where o_id = 1
>
delete @dog
end
>
insert @owner_dogs values(1,'John' ,@dog_name)
select * from @owner_dogs
set rowcount 0- Hide quoted text -
>
- Show quoted text -

Hi,
I just read your complete post and realized that you might not be able
to get it working. So here is the complete code:

declare @table table (o_id int, o_name varchar(50))
declare @dog table (d_id int, d_name varchar(50),o_i d int)
declare @owner_dogs table(o_id int, o_name varchar(50), d_name
varchar(50))

declare @dog_temp table (d_id int, d_name varchar(50),o_i d int)
declare @id table (o_id int)

insert @table values (1,'John')
insert @table values (2,'Mary')

insert @dog values(1,'Skipp y',1)
insert @dog values(2,'Fido' ,1)
insert @dog values(3,'Ralph ',2)
insert @dog values(4,'Alf', 2)

declare @dog_name varchar(50)
declare @o_id int

insert @id
select distinct o_id
from @table

select @o_id = max(o_id) from @id
--select top 1 @o_id = o_id from @id

while @o_id is not null
begin
delete @id
where o_id = @o_id

insert @dog_temp
select *
from @dog
where o_id = @o_id

select @dog_name = null
while (select count(*) from @dog_temp) 0
begin
set rowcount 1
if @dog_name is null
begin
select @dog_name = d_name
from @dog_temp
where o_id = @o_id
end
else
select @dog_name = @dog_name + ', ' + d_name
from @dog_temp
where o_id = @o_id

delete @dog_temp
end

insert @owner_dogs (o_id,d_name)
values (@o_id,@dog_nam e)

set rowcount 0

select @o_id = max(o_id) from @id
end


update @owner_dogs
set o_name = a.o_name
from @table a,
@owner_dogs b
where b.o_id = a.o_id

select * from @owner_dogs

[Ed Murphy]

Re: SQL to combine columns

yuri wrote:

>Yes it is brought up all the time because people will not bother to
>read even one book on RDBMS, so they keep asking this kind of thing
>over and over. Please post DDL, so that people do not have to guess
>what the keys, constraints, Declarative Referential Integrity, data
>types, etc. in your schema are. Let's start by doing what you should
>have done for us:

>
Oh, I'm sorry about that. I failed to get a copy of the CELKO SQL
posting etiquette. Could you please point me in the right direction?
Sarcasm aside, I will do this in the future. Thanks.

He's pretty much always like that. You get used to it after a while.

>Why do you wish to destroy First Normal Form (1NF) with a concatenated
>list structure? It is the foundation of RDBMS, after all. See why I
>say you never read a book on RDBMS.

>
You're right I should have went out and bought a book on RDBMS. I mean
who would ever think about asking a question on the internet was
possible. I mean everybody should shut down all forums and rely on tech
manuals because they are always so well written and contain every piece
of knowledge on the planet about the subject, including all the hidden
tips and tricks. Questions will be a thing of the past. Just grab a
book and your answer will be there. Did you get criticized in class
when you had a question about something? Did the teacher yell at you,
tell you to read the book and never answer the question?

This is not a class. It's reasonable to expect people to do at least
a bit of reading on their own first.

>Why did you think that an owner is an attribute of a dog? It is a
>relationship ! It might have attributes of its own, like license
>numbers, issue date, etc. but let's ignore that.

>
I think a dog belongs to an owner. Can an owner have more than 1 dog?
Hmmm.... I think so in this example. Yes, creating a seperate table in

But can a dog have more than one owner? If so, then the relationship
should indeed be moved into a third table.

This (among many other issues) is the sort of thing that questioners
tend to gloss over, not because they haven't thought about it, but
because the answer is obvious to them (whereas it is not obvious to
the rest of us). Politeness issues aside, I think it's a net gain
for such issues to be pointed out pre-emptively.

[yuri]

Re: SQL to combine columns

This is not a class. It's reasonable to expect people to do at least

a bit of reading on their own first.

The questions were in reference to me being a student asking for help from
more experienced users. If CELKO, the teacher, acted like that then there
must have been a reason, hence the class reference.

<Sarcasm>
Oh right, reading books!! Yes, I never thought of that. I should smack
myself over the head. Jeez... Let me pull some imaginary money out of my
butt, go to the store and grab the $40-$50 dollar book. (No library
reference please).
</Sarcasm>

I have found all the information on the internet, not from books or
schooling(SQL and RDBMS). Did you or CELKO crawl out of the womb and say,
"I am the Master at X, and you will bow before me". I don't think so,
therefore you must have done reading, schooling and for heaven sakes, you
ASKED questions from more experienced people at some point. Didn't you? You
have to start somewhere.

I guarantee I know something you or CELKO don't, and does it make it right
for me to criticize you if you ask a question that is very obvious to me?
No.

Yes, CELKO is a Master at RDBMS, I have just started out and have done very
well in only a few days. So, I cannot ask any questions until I become
extremely proficient at RDBMS and SQL! Huh... Tough group. ;)

Ok, that's over with. Now, let's drink to good times. ;)

Please, can you at least recommend a good book that is for intermediate to
advanced, in regards to SQL and RDBMS, recent copyright date please? I will
spare the money and buy it.

I think I accidently posted to: comp.databases. ms-sqlserver.maste rlevel. ;)


"Ed Murphy" <emurphy42@soca l.rr.comwrote in message
news:45f585f7$0 $5777$4c368faf@ roadrunner.com. ..

yuri wrote:
>

>>Yes it is brought up all the time because people will not bother to
>>read even one book on RDBMS, so they keep asking this kind of thing
>>over and over. Please post DDL, so that people do not have to guess
>>what the keys, constraints, Declarative Referential Integrity, data
>>types, etc. in your schema are. Let's start by doing what you should
>>have done for us:

>>
>Oh, I'm sorry about that. I failed to get a copy of the CELKO SQL
>posting etiquette. Could you please point me in the right direction?
>Sarcasm aside, I will do this in the future. Thanks.

>
He's pretty much always like that. You get used to it after a while.
>

>>Why do you wish to destroy First Normal Form (1NF) with a concatenated
>>list structure? It is the foundation of RDBMS, after all. See why I
>>say you never read a book on RDBMS.

>>
>You're right I should have went out and bought a book on RDBMS. I mean
>who would ever think about asking a question on the internet was
>possible. I mean everybody should shut down all forums and rely on tech
>manuals because they are always so well written and contain every piece
>of knowledge on the planet about the subject, including all the hidden
>tips and tricks. Questions will be a thing of the past. Just grab a book
>and your answer will be there. Did you get criticized in class when you
>had a question about something? Did the teacher yell at you, tell you to
>read the book and never answer the question?

>
This is not a class. It's reasonable to expect people to do at least
a bit of reading on their own first.
>

>>Why did you think that an owner is an attribute of a dog? It is a
>>relationshi p! It might have attributes of its own, like license
>>numbers, issue date, etc. but let's ignore that.

>>
>I think a dog belongs to an owner. Can an owner have more than 1 dog?
>Hmmm.... I think so in this example. Yes, creating a seperate table in

>
But can a dog have more than one owner? If so, then the relationship
should indeed be moved into a third table.
>
This (among many other issues) is the sort of thing that questioners
tend to gloss over, not because they haven't thought about it, but
because the answer is obvious to them (whereas it is not obvious to
the rest of us). Politeness issues aside, I think it's a net gain
for such issues to be pointed out pre-emptively.

[Greg D. Moore \(Strider\)]

Re: SQL to combine columns

"yuri" <yuri32@hotmail .comwrote in message
news:l1jJh.36$a Q3.29@newsfe12. lga...

>
<Sarcasm>
Oh right, reading books!! Yes, I never thought of that. I should smack
myself over the head. Jeez... Let me pull some imaginary money out of my
butt, go to the store and grab the $40-$50 dollar book. (No library
reference please).
</Sarcasm>

In other words, you're part of the generation that thinks all the answers on
the Internet.

Sorry, but if you can't afford them, the library IS another option. The
Internet, as wonderful as it is, has its limitations.

>
I have found all the information on the internet, not from books or
schooling(SQL and RDBMS).

Unfortunately a lot of the information on the Internet sucks.

Did you or CELKO crawl out of the womb and say, "I am the Master at X, and
you will bow before me". I don't think so,

I think Joe Celko did. ;-)

therefore you must have done reading, schooling and for heaven sakes, you
ASKED questions from more experienced people at some point. Didn't you?
You have to start somewhere.
>
I guarantee I know something you or CELKO don't, and does it make it right
for me to criticize you if you ask a question that is very obvious to me?
No.
>
Yes, CELKO is a Master at RDBMS, I have just started out and have done
very well in only a few days. So, I cannot ask any questions until I
become extremely proficient at RDBMS and SQL! Huh... Tough group. ;)
>
Ok, that's over with. Now, let's drink to good times. ;)
>
Please, can you at least recommend a good book that is for intermediate to
advanced, in regards to SQL and RDBMS, recent copyright date please? I
will spare the money and buy it.

Actually Joe as a couple of decent books out there, not sure how many are
for true beginners.

He (and others) have posted some titles before, so google may find them.

I'd personally start finding a book on SQL theory itsellf. Unfortunately
cant' recommend any.

Though CJ Date has a decent book on the original work Codd did.

>
I think I accidently posted to: comp.databases. ms-sqlserver.maste rlevel.
;)
>

--
Greg Moore
SQL Server DBA Consulting
Email: sql (at) greenms.com http://www.greenms.com

[yuri]

Re: SQL to combine columns

In other words, you're part of the generation that thinks all the answers

on the Internet.

OMG, heavens NO! I'm not that young. I wish I had this knowledge 20 years
ago. ;)

I do have an extensive library on programming, artificial intelligence,
expert systems, etc. Approaching, 30 books and the dump has more.

Unfortunately a lot of the information on the Internet sucks.

Hence, the question in the newsgroup.

Actually Joe as a couple of decent books out there, not sure how many are
for true beginners.

I don't need one for true beginners. I can get by. I need one for
intermediate to advanced. I hate the learn X in 21 days (Yea, right.)

I prefer more advanced books.

[Greg D. Moore \(Strider\)]

Re: SQL to combine columns

"yuri" <yuri32@hotmail .comwrote in message
news:CkjJh.37$a Q3.1@newsfe12.l ga...

>In other words, you're part of the generation that thinks all the answers
>on the Internet.

>
OMG, heavens NO! I'm not that young. I wish I had this knowledge 20
years ago. ;)
>
I do have an extensive library on programming, artificial intelligence,
expert systems, etc. Approaching, 30 books and the dump has more.
>

>Unfortunatel y a lot of the information on the Internet sucks.

>
Hence, the question in the newsgroup.
>

>Actually Joe as a couple of decent books out there, not sure how many are
>for true beginners.

>
I don't need one for true beginners. I can get by. I need one for
intermediate to advanced. I hate the learn X in 21 days (Yea, right.)
>
I prefer more advanced books.

In that case, honestly, Joe Celko's SQL for Smarties is a good. (which I
should pick up one of these days). ;-)

If you want SQL Server specific, anything by Itzk Ben-Gan on programming is
good.

I want to be like him when I grow up as a DBA :-)

(and Kalen Delaney too.. I'm reading her Inside SQL MSSQL 2005: The Storage
Engine now).

>

--
Greg Moore
SQL Server DBA Consulting
Email: sql (at) greenms.com http://www.greenms.com