Select Star SQL
Learning and science
sql tutorial
SHOW HN2018
700points
112comments
#10of 2,155 in 2018
Top 1%of 2018 by points
How HN took it
DebatedReal support and real criticism
26 positive, 8 neutral or asking, 5 mixed, 14 critical, out of 53 comments about the project. Thread score +0.26.
Idea: 11 for, 3 againstExecution: 2 for, 9 againstDocs: 6 for, 1 againstDesign: 1 for, 1 againstPricing: 2 for, 0 against
The thread, comment by comment
Each row is a top-level comment and its replies, in HN's order. Select a cell to open that comment on HN.
positive neutral or mixed critical about another commenter or something else the maker
What HN said
What people liked
Well written, good teaching format
From 4 comments
Nice job, this is a great way to teach something like SQL. Any plans to add more chapters? Would love to see something around window functions AND CTEs as this format would go a…
duck on HNOutstanding work. SQL was the gateway drug to coding for me and I wish this was around. SQL is my top recommendation for people looking to become more technical, and this will…
ryanj20021 on HNI just finished working through it. It is well written with an interesting if macabre example dataset. The interactive bits worked well once I enabled web components in Firefox.
cristoperb on HNI have picked up SQL and statements from my time in industry. I really like how this book provides not only interaction but a dataset that actually means something. Also,…
zitterbewegung on HN
Death penalty dataset is compelling
From 2 comments
The choice of example database (the death penalty) is terrific. So much more interesting, important and compelling than the usual tired customer/product examples. I'm tired of…
djrobstep on HNI love it :) It gives the data weight.
weatherlight on HN
Objections
Does not work in Firefox or Edge without enabling web components
From 3 comments
Slightly embarrassing -- but the problem may be that the site isn't compatible with FireFox (at least pre-v63 FireFox). The site makes use of custom HTML elements which are not…
zckao on HNAlso not working on Edge.
zeusly on HNI was confused too. It appears the page does not work on Firefox. I get a "customElements is not defined" error in the console in Firefox and none of the interactive sections…
guu on HN
Challenge questions too hard for beginners
From 1 comment
As someone who has never really touched SQL except very briefly during a degree module, which basically taught me nothing, I enjoyed this. I think it taught me some good stuff. I…
orcs on HN
Some examples contain errors such as LEN and WHERE LIKE
From 2 comments
Genuinely enjoyed the book. A couple of notes: 1. In The Long Tail > Nested Queries, the first example contains the function LEN, which gives an error as LENGTH is expected. 2.…
alx-ppv on HNThe book says this is a valid where clause: > WHERE 0 > 1 and 0 are the most basic Boolean statements. This block guarantees that no rows will be returned. This doesn't work in…
default-kramer on HN
Requests
Add chapters on window functions and CTEs
From 1 comment
Nice job, this is a great way to teach something like SQL. Any plans to add more chapters? Would love to see something around window functions AND CTEs as this format would go a…
duck on HN
Add a simpler, browser-based query playground
From 1 comment
I really like your explanations. I have never been able to wrap my head around joins. You say that: "Programming is best learned by doing", but I am struggling to do anything...…
dawie on HN
Questions
Where are the quiz and project sections
From 1 comment
"Let’s take a quick quiz to cement your understanding." "Now you have the tools you need to complete our project." Where is this quiz and this project? Am I missing something?
geomark on HN
Is the WHERE 0 clause valid standard SQL
From 1 comment
The book says this is a valid where clause: > WHERE 0 > 1 and 0 are the most basic Boolean statements. This block guarantees that no rows will be returned. This doesn't work in…
default-kramer on HN
Alternatives named
SQLBolt
From 1 comment
See https://sqlbolt.com/ for an interactive SQL tutorial with less distracting examples.
amadeuspagel on HN
SQLZoo
From 1 comment
sqlzoo.net might be something you would like.
geomark on HN
pgexercises
From 1 comment
(self plug) pgexercises.com provides something like this. The code is open source, anyone is welcome to fork and populate with new data like this.
AlisdairO on HN
Chartio SQL tutorial
From 1 comment
Awesome work Kao!! Earlier this year I launched a similar interactive SQL tutorial with similar goals. https://chartio.com/learn/sql/ With the writeup on why i made it here:…
thingsilearned on HN
SQL Pocket Guide (O'Reilly)
From 1 comment
The O'Reilly "SQL Pocket Guide" is very well written, and, IMO, one of the best tools for learning SQL. It's extremely concise, and yet packed chock full of information. It's…
cryptonector on HN