Module overview: SQL
Getting set up for SQL
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Module overview: SQL
Overview
In this module, we’ll
In the next lesson, Database Concepts, we’ll go through the steps
be using:
of downloading, installing, and launching MySQL Workbench and
MySQL Community Server on Windows and Mac.
The various CSVs, SQL files, and queries that we'll need to create and
transform our database are provided with this document. However, they
can also be downloaded from the walk-throughs at the point we will
MySQL Workbench
need them.
Throughout the module, we will need to use the provided CSVs, SQL files, and
queries to create or recreate our database. We will look at how we use these
files and queries.
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Module overview: SQL
Overview
In this module, we’ll also In the SQL in production lesson, we’ll introduce Jupyter Notebooks
be using: and go through the steps of downloading, installing, and
launching Anaconda and Jupyter Notebooks on Windows and
Mac.
Included in the lessons beyond this point are [walk-throughs] in which
queries are run in MySQL Workbench, as well as the accompanying
[notebooks] in which we can execute the same queries in Jupyter
Notebooks.
Throughout the module, we will be able to interact with and manipulate our
database the same way using either MySQL Workbench or Jupyter
Notebooks.
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Module overview: SQL
Completing the practical learning activities
The [walk-through]
learning activities will We’ll need to use the same
teach us how to query and database throughout this
transform our database. module and only recreate
the dataset when prompted.
The SQL module was
designed to take us
through various
In order for our queries to transformations of a
work, we’ll need to follow single database.
along and complete all
of the walk-through
activities in either MySQL If we do not follow
Workbench or Jupyter these instructions,
Notebooks. many of our queries
may not seem to
work.
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Module overview: SQL
The effect of database transformations
For example, we will learn how
to remove all data from a
table in SQL.
Once we've removed the data
from the table, any query
thereafter will return an empty
table. In these cases, we'll be
prompted with the necessary
steps to recreate the database.
It's crucial to follow these
instructions closely so that
future queries work.
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Module overview: SQL
The effect of database transformations
For example, we want to divide
a larger dataset into smaller
tables and link them using
relationships.
The walk-throughs often build
on one another, so if we don't
complete them in order, we
may end up in a situation like
this:
We created the
Geographic_location table in
a previous walk-through, and
therefore, if we skipped it, we
would get an error.
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Module overview: SQL
When and how to download a new dataset
| As we transform our database, we will need a CSV or new SQL file to “reset” our database to
a usable format. We can find these files by clicking on the popup in the walk-through video.
Only some walk-through videos will include a dataset or file download since we will need
to persist some of the changes to the database for the learning activities that follow.
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Module overview: SQL
Download CSVs and SQL files
Clicking on the Dataset
popup on a walk-through
will open the file in a new
tab.
We can click on the
download button, which
will save the file to our
local machine, very
often to a Downloads
folder.
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Module overview: SQL
Using notebook files and dependencies
We will receive database files
that we need to query in a
notebook.
The notebook environment will
look for the database file in the
current folder. If the file is not in
the same folder as the
notebook, the system won't be
able to locate it, and we will get
a "no such table" or similar
error message. We need to
make sure we have all the
notebook dependencies saved
in the same folder as the
notebook.
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Module overview: SQL
Using notebook files and dependencies
It is possible to specify the
correct file path in our code if
the file is not saved in the
same folder.
Should the database be saved
in a different folder, we will
need to use the absolute or
relative file path to locate the
folder.
● We use three slashes
sqlite:/// in order to use a
relative path.
● We use four slashes
sqlite://// in order to use
an absolute path.
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