Chapter 2: Setting Up Your Environment Before you write your first query, it’s essential to install and configure a relational database on your workstation. A solid environment ensures you spend time learning SQL—not battling installation errors. In this chapter, we’ll: Compare four popular RDBMS options Walk through installation on Windows, macOS, and Linux Demonstrate how to connect via command-line and graphical tools Load a sample database so you can start querying immediately By the end, your machine will be a fully functional SQL playground. 1. Choosing an RDBMS: MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQLite, SQL Server Different relational database systems excel in different scenarios. Here’s a quick comparison to help you pick one: Feature MySQL PostgreSQL SQLite SQL Server Use case Web apps, LAMP stacks Analytics, GIS, advanced SQL Lightweight, embedded apps Enterprise .NET, Windows ecosystems Licensing GPL (Community) / Commercial (Enterprise) Open Source (PostgreSQL License) Public domain...
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