databases and MySQL

[have4goneinsane]

I need a good basic intro guide to databases and MySQL which I'll be using at work to query data and create tables that I can transfer into R for statistical analysis.

Databases were my bete noir at school and at uni, so I need some help. I've taught myself R so I CAN do this, but all the obvious help sites assume a basic working knowledge of databases and the differences between database servers and management tools etc .....

Tech guy at work has helped me download MySQL workbench and we have got the data onto my machine, now I just need to learn what I DO with it!

suggestions of good websites/tutorials/books please (in the end I found books on R were ironically more useful than websites!)

Haven't done much SQL since I was at university, but I have to say I find books easier than websites for learning new techy stuff, book to the side and trying it.

There's probably an O'Reilly book on it. They're usually quite good (also available in electronic versions.) And they have nice animals on the covers.

I would go to youtube straight away. MySQL is freeware and is the choice of entry level DB programmers and there are hundreds if not thousands of similar people on youtube that upload tutorials for beginners.

put begin mysql into a youtube search and you will get all you need. books are only good for reference or when you need a technical definition, but even then online resources are much much better.

I've been an Oracle DB programmer for years which is much more complicated than mySQL and i've never used books once. Online video and forums are the best way.

good luck

Sitepoint.com books I find are good. Many are now in PDF as well as printed versions.

This site is good as a tutorial and refresher
sqlzoo.net/wiki/Main_Page