Need suggestions on which SQL class to take

[CharlieMopps]

Need suggestions on which SQL class to take. My works willing to pay, one of these classes is $3k which is kind of putting them off but they are still willing to go it if I really want it.

What I do:
LOTS of reporting. I hit all kinds of databases with all sorts of queries. We've got Oracle, MYSQL, Crystal reports and then some really weird proprietary stuff that still basically uses SQL syntax. All I care about is Querying.

I use SQL all day, but am totally self taught. So it wouldn't be a bad idea for me to go over some basics as well. At the same time I don't want to get overly simplistic and waste my time. I have no access to Visual studio (its an internal politics thing I don't want to get into) So all my reporting is done through VBA (excel/access) and some reporting databases. (the visual studio thing is a real pain)

The courses I'm looking at:
http://education.oracle.com/pls/web_prod-plq-dad/db_pages.getCourseDesc?dc=D61918GC10&p_org_id=1001&lang=US
The right price but a little too basic I think. Also, I don't care about setting up a server.

http://education.oracle.com/pls/web_prod-plq-dad/show_desc.redirect?dc=D64252GC10&p_org_id=1001&lang=US&source_call=
I like this one the best, but it's pretty expensive.

https://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/course.aspx?ID=2778A&locale=en-us
This ones been suggested to me by a couple of people. But I've been to these Microsoft certified classes before, and I just think they are usually really just glossing over things. But maybe someone else has some experience?

Any input would be appreciated. Thanks!

[Salamok]

They all go way beyond the scope of retrieving data via a select statement.  The one you like thde best may go into the greatest detail but that detail will include all the areas you are not interested in too.  You might find an advanced class on crystal reports to be more tailored to the types of queries you run. 

If it were me i'd go for the middle one, but I'm a mysql user and am interested in admin and crud app development.

On a self learning note I always found a healthy dose of common sense + testing out different joins and indexes using the explain statement to be highly beneficial.  You should definitely delve into subqueries and views.

[CharlieMopps]

Well, I guess saying I was ONLY interested in queries was the wrong way to put it. I currently only Query in my current job. Updates i have to do through XML APIs. I'd also like to get promoted one day so, learning all the other stuff might come in handy.

[NiX]

I haven't been, but I would take the expensive one because it gives you more and I absolutely hate Crystal Reports.

On the VB/Excel/Access thing: You don't have access to Query Analyzer or SQL Server Manager for querying? Also, is the system you're pulling data from an Oracle one (PeopleSoft..etc)?

[CharlieMopps]

You don't have access to Query Analyzer or SQL Server Manager for querying? Also, is the system you're pulling data from an Oracle one (PeopleSoft..etc)?

They are not IS approved applications (more politics) but some unproved software may have found its way onto my work computer by accident.

Also, is the system you're pulling data from an Oracle one (PeopleSoft..etc)?

One of them is Oracle yes. It's actually our largest DB. But the one I work with the most is MySQL but they have limitations of the syntax you can use. (Joins are limited, can't write to it) They've recently written their own "Language" for talking to the DB that they are very proud of. In reality it's just SQL again with limited syntax.

If I want to go anywhere with this DB thing in my company I had better know the Oracle stuff to (if there's much of a difference.) That's one of the reasons I was looking at Oracles site. 

[Salamok]

From what I saw the classes on the oracle site that you linked to were based on mysql not oracle.  If you have the option to take classes on the oracle db then that would be the most beneficial career $$ wise.  If you deal with mysql a lot you should see if you can get read only access using phpmyadmin or webyog or something.

[Ironwood]

After careful consideration, I think you should take the class that has the instructor with the biggest tits.

Beyond that, they'll all help.

[NiX]

From what I saw the classes on the oracle site that you linked to were based on mysql not oracle.  If you have the option to take classes on the oracle db then that would be the most beneficial career $$ wise.  If you deal with mysql a lot you should see if you can get read only access using phpmyadmin or webyog or something.

Well, I guess it depends on his company. It would seem like they're using mostly MySQL or some variant, so that would be beneficial, though I agree on the Oracle DB knowledge making you more money.

If I were you I would take the expensive class, but I'm a BA who works entirely with PeopleSoft and MySQL, so I'm slightly biased. It also sucks that you're very limited in what your company will let you use and do. I've had free reign in our SQL environments from day one, which is how I managed to teach myself SQL queries.

You know what, take the expensive class and then find a new job.

[avaia]

Oracle University classes are pretty hit and miss.  The more specific the subject, the better your chances are.  Oracle is pushing their advisors hard, so I'm not so sure they will really offer all that much other than 'write generic shitty SQL, throw it at the SQL tuning optimizer'.  That's pretty much my summation of Oracle Open World this past year.

If you want to really learn some things, check out some of the offerings by the Oak Table folks.  SQL itself isn't very complicated; writing *good* SQL is, and you're likely to learn more from the bloggers than any class from the big boys.

Another option: http://collaborate11.ioug.org/

[Teleku]

After careful consideration, I think you should take the class that has the instructor with the biggest tits.

Beyond that, they'll all help.

You have to be careful about that sort of advice when talking about things like SQL class's.  The person with that qualification might not be a girl...

[CharlieMopps]

Boss found out the expensive one leads to a cert. Just got approved.