Providing Insight into SQL

Abstract

SQL is the well-known, industry-standard language for accessing relational databases. Although users often have no trouble writing simple queries in SQL, most people experience difficulties in correctly formulating and understanding more complex queries. To help users gain a greater insight into SQL, a special interface has been developed. This is intended as a support tool for introductory database courses. This system provides two special facilities: 1) a progressive execution option, which allows the user to receive immediate feedback on an SQL query as it is being entered on a word-by-word basis; and 2) additional windows which allow the user to view an illustration of what is occurring inside an SQL query, as well as the final results.

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Reisner

Boyce

R. F.

, and Chamberlin

D. D.

, Human Factors Evaluation of Two Data Base Query Languages—Square and Sequel, Proceedings of the AFIPS National Computer Conference, Anaheim, California, 1975.

Reisner

, Query Languages, in Handbook of Human-Computer Interaction, Helander

(ed.), Elsevier Science Publishers B.V., North-Holland, 1988.

Date

C. J.

, An Introduction to Database Systems (5th Edition), Addison-Wesley, Reading, Massachusetts, 1990.

Zloof

M. M.

, Query By Example, Proceedings of the National Computer Conference, 44, 1975.

Trimble

J. H.

and Chappell

, A Visual Introduction to SQL, John Wiley & Sons, New York, 1989.

Shneiderman

, Designing the User Interface (2nd Edition), Addison-Wesley, Reading, Massachusetts, 1992.