I need to learn how to work with PostgreSQL for work, but I am
*completely* unfamiliar with the program, almost completely unfamiliar
with databases (I've only worked with very basic databases in MS
Access), and relateively unfamiliar with using non-GUI programs.

In other words, I need a 'Postgresql for Dummies' book - something that
will start at the most basic level. The books I've seen out there on
Amazon.com and other places all seem to be aimed at developers, though.
Where can I go to get a basic, basic, BASIC tutorial/guidebook for
learning PostgreSQL?

Thanks,

Daniel Lerch
Portland, Oregon

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Installing postgres is covered pretty well in the documentation.
However, there may be a simpler way to install depending on your system
(something like an installer). Other than the install instructions,
there are MANY online SQL tutorials that can be completed in 1-2 hours
and will teach you the basics of working with modern relational
databases and SQL. You could let us know where you are in the process
and we could provide better direction, I suppose.

Sean

On Oct 12, 2004, at 2:52 PM, Daniel Lerch wrote:


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It occured to me that I might have an easier time learning PostgreSQL if
I start off with a GUI instead of just command line.

But I access the database over our LAN -- I'm on a Windows 2000 box, and
the psql database is on a Linux box. I've been accessing it by running
PuTTY.

So, my question is - is there a GUI program I can run off my Windows
2000 box that will allow me to access myt psql database on the Linux
box? Or do I have no choice but run the GUI on the Linux box?

Thanks,

-d

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Look at pgadmin III (http://www.pgadmin.org/pgadmin3/index.php).

Sean

On Oct 12, 2004, at 3:56 PM, Daniel Lerch wrote:


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I was looking at that earlier - couldn't tell if it was client-side or
server-side. Since you're pointing me to it, I'll assume it's
client-side and will try it out.

Also, re your other reply that there are many online SQL tutorials, and
asking where I am in the process: I guess I'm so new to things that I
didn't realize I should be looking for SQL tutorials, and not postgreSQL
tutorials (I searched for the latter, and they were all too
complicated). Sounds like I should start with SQL, and then move to
the postgreSQL-specific tutorials later when I'm ready to use more
advanced functions. I'll give that a shot, and email again if I run
into problems.

Thanks!
-d


Sean Davis wrote:


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On Tue, 12 Oct 2004 13:09:56 -0700, Daniel Lerch
<daniel (AT) mountainmeasurement (DOT) com> wrote:
Certainly ask your boss to make phppgadmin available for you to access
your pg db from anywhere in the world... it is a php-based script
library (is that the right way to put it?) that runs on the web
server. It kicks everything (including the kitchen sink!;-))! It is
extremely easy to use, and if you are a web kitten then is probably
even more intuitive than access. I have tried to use pgadminIII a bit
but it crashed on me quite a bit - not something I like (I am running
8.0.0beta3 on gentoo).
You really must give this a go, even if it is just at home on
something you set up yourself. Postgres has an excellent windoze
installer and I imagine apache and php also (never used them on doze).
You should be about 10 clicks away, if windoze is as low as I believe
it to be, from a working phppgadmin. If you want I will help you on
your way through (i wouldn't mind installing apache and php on my doze
partition, so can see how it's done, but you'd better have a go at
least first...) to get there.
Cheers
Antoine

--
G System, The Evolving GUniverse - http://www.g-system.at

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Daniel Lerch wrote:

postgres books out there. I've got Practical Postgres (Worsley & Drake)
and it would probably be suitable for you. While many of these books are
aimed at developers quite a few of them also spell out a lot of the
basics too, so they'll tell you about SQL and how to use postgres. There
are a handful of beginner-intermediate postgresql books out there,
including Bruce Momjian's book Learning PostgreSQL (forgive me if I get
this wrong).

Also, pgAdminIII is a good gui tool for accessing postgres.

Ron



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OK, I'll check that book out.

I tried running pgAdminIII, but when I tried to connect to my psql
server I got the error:
"SSL error: wrong version number"

I'll try to figure this out, but one thing it led me to was realizing
that I don't know what verision of psql I'm actually running, and I
don't know how to find out (I noticed that pgAdminIII is for postgreSQL
7.3 and 7.4). Is there a 'version' command within psql?

Thanks,
-d


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Daniel Lerch wrote:

An SSL error....?

psql --version
psql (PostgreSQL) 7.4.1
contains support for command-line editing
or from within psql
select version();
version
---------------------------------------------------------------
PostgreSQL 7.4.1 on i686-pc-linux-gnu, compiled by GCC 2.95.4
(1 row)

If you've got an earlier version of postgres you can download the
appropriate pgAdmin version (pgAdminII probably), which used to be
available on the website http://pgadmin.postgresql.org/pgadmin2/downloads/

Ron



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On Tue, Oct 12, 2004 at 11:52:34 -0700,
Daniel Lerch <daniel (AT) mountainmeasurement (DOT) com> wrote:
You really want to read through the the documentation that comes with
Postgres. It is very good. Even if you don't understand everything at
first, you will at least be aware of what is documented and what kinds
of things Postgres can do, so that if you need something later you will
have an idea where to look.

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