Information of Value Before the Semester Starts

Class Policy The class policy statement include rules about grading, due dates, withdrawals, etc. Class Policy statement

Credit/NoCredit Info on the option of taking this course as a (Pass/Fail) class

The midterm and final exam are in-person exams to be held on the Phelan campus on Saturday March 10 and Saturday May 19, 2012
The class has no other required in-person meetings.

Software Versions: This classes uses MS SQL Server 2008- version R2 is ok. Work done in earier versions of SQL Server is not accepted.
See information below about obtaining the software.

Textbook: Kellenberger; Beginning T-SQL 2008 ; Apress; isbn 978-1430224617; I post extensive notes for this class and most students rely on the notes first and the book second. I do not give assignments from the textbook.The list price is $40. (it discounts for about $20)

Email address: Your CCSF Email account Class email, including info on Insight and email I send you about adding from the Waitlist, is sent to the email account that CCSF displays on the class list. Check your email address from the Web4 page.

WaitList: This class has a waitlist set up. If the class is full when you try to enroll, add yourself to the waitlist. Waitlisted students will be added by the system if other students drop during the preregistration period. Refer to this Link for information on waitlists. I generally add all students on the waitlist. If you are on that waitlist, I will contact you at the start of the semester to see if you still want the class. Other requests for AddCodes will be handled after the waitlisted people.

NoShow Policy If you do not log into the Insight page for this class by Sunday Morning Jan 22 10:00 am, I will consider you a NoShow and may remove you from the class list and replace you with a student from the waitlist. Email me before that date if this is a problem and you want to continue in the class.

Insight Notes for my classes This is a document that explains the way my classes are set up on Insight; this is sufficient for most students to use Insight for this class. Remember that the class is not open to login until the semester starts. Orientation Notes

Plan: When are you going to do the work for this class?
Organization Ideas This is a 3 unit class so you need to set aside a period of time to work on the class material on at least two days during the week. This is not a "self-paced" class. There will be weekly readings and assignments will be due almost every week.

Software: We will be using Microsoft SQL Server 2008.

1. You can borrow discs to install the software from the CCSF library to install of your home system
2. You can use the Microsoft DreamSpark system to download SQL Server 2008 Developer- use the url dreamspark.com. Some students have reported troubles with this site; other students have no troubles with it.
3. You can use the Microsoft download page system to download SQL Server 2008 Express. Do a search for "Download SQL Server 2008 Express" to find the download site.
4. I purchased a disc for the Developer edition for less than $50.00 from Amazon. ( I like having the discs for software I use.)
5. You can use the software in the ACRC on the Phelan/Ocean campus. Consult their web page for hours and orientations.

It would be a good idea to install the software before the semester starts. I cannot provide individual help for installation issues.
How to:Search for disc status at the CCSF library

On the First Day or Two of Class, You Need to Do the Following

Log into the class Insight web site. Please click on this Orientation Link for info on Insight.

General Preparation for Classes

You can visit http://www.ccsf.edu/Departments/Distance_Education/students.htm to prepare for learning online.

Students who need academic accommodations should request them from the Disabled Students Programs and Services (DSPS) located in the Rosenberg Library,Room 323 on the Ocean Campus. Telephone: 415-452-5481 (V) 415-452-5451 (TDD). DSPS is the campus office responsible for verifying disability-related need for academic accommodations, assessing that need, and planning accommodations in cooperation with students and instructors as needed and consistent with course requirements.

General Information for CS 150A

This is a first semester course in the use of SQL Server. This class focuses on the standard declarative SQL access to data in SQL Server databases.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why learn SQL Server?
A1: It's hard to ignore Microsoft.
A2: Many people/companies started their database projects with Microsoft Access. SQL Server is a natural next step for these databases.
Many companies use SQL Server because it has the familiar Windows interface and integrates with other Microsoft products.

Q: Why learn SQL?
A: Most companies store their data on a database. If you are going to work with computer systems you will be working with databases. SQL is the standard language for working with a database. Using SQL is a much different approach to accessing data than the traditional programming approach. The different companies that produce database systems have different versions of SQL. It is helpful to know more than one version so that you start to see how a "standardized language" varies by vendor.

Q: What background do I need for this class?
A: There is no specific prerequisite for this class but I do assume that you have some basic computer experience.

Q: What if I have already taken another SQL class or a database programming class? Is this worth my time?
A: That is a bit harder to answer in general. I have found that many students need to learn SQL at least twice to really understand it. Often you do not fully understand the initial concepts until the end of the semester. Every dbms has its own variations on SQL.

Q: What about writing procedures in SQL Server?
A: If you want to learn SQL Server programming concepts, the class you want is CS 150P ( previously called 152A.)
CS 150P is offered generally every third semester.

Q: Which version of SQL Server are we using?
A: Currently we are using SQL Server 2008.