Learning materials for computer-related stuff are hardly known to be interesting and interactive. You read some docs then start to mess with stuff, right?
GalaXQL is interactive SQL tutorial that lets you mess with stuff right from the start and in a really cool way.
What it does
GalaXQL generates database that describes imaginary galaxy – with thousands of stars, planets and moons as well as their attributes (like coordinates and distances).
Then it offers you lessons on SQL, using galaxy rendering to display changes you make in database. It is extremely visual and way better than modifying abstract data.
Learning curve
App comes with twenty lessons on different SQL queries (syntax used is SQLite). It stars with easy stuff but gets somewhat hard later with complex nested queries. Nothing impossible but don’t expect to complete whole tutorial in single sitting.
Overall
Graphical rendering seems non-optimized and those with weak/integrated video cards might want to switch to lighter mode in options. Other than that it is very clever and interesting way to learn SQL syntax. Shaping galaxy into pacman, how cool is that? :)
Free and open source under under BSD-like license.
Home&download http://sol.gfxile.net/galaxql.html
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That sounds great. Where was this like 5 years ago when I had SQL manuals as big as my head trying to figure that stuff out. Geeze! That was one of the toughest fights I ever fought.
@Freddie Taylor
I don’t really need SQL at moment but had this bookmarked for some time and going through lessons when I have free time. Might get handy later with WordPress and stuff.
Glad to see comment from you again. Although comments that drop so fast after post publish give me bit of being stalked feeling. Wonders of RSS I guess. :)
This app actually does seem really interesting, and I’ll probably try and check it out some time this weekend.
As to the quick replies.. I’m from canada and I’m at work at the moment. I have email and feeds open in firefox and constantly running all day. I switch back every half hour or so to see if there’s anything interesting going on.
@Angelo
Glad you like it. :)
On time zones it’s hard to say what reduces reaction time. While I match with some people that work when it’s evening her, personally I am usually first to reply on blogs in same time zone.
The professor’s “That’s wrong” expression made me laugh. It’s amazing how a little humor can turn learning into an entertaining experience.
Now, if only there’s something like this for JAVA… :p
Glad you like it =)
@MK
Yeah, good humor ia always nice addition to learning. :)
@Sol
Thanks for creating this awesome tutorial (and dropping by)! Now if only there was something like this for C++… And PHP… :)
@Rarst
One on C is on my todo list, but as it will practically require me to write a new compiler, don’t hold your breath.
@Sol
Then I’ll try to keep this blog around long enough to post and thank you when you are done. :)
This seems like it could be great, I will have to give it a try. At varsity while I was learning SQL for the first time, I actually had a friend who said – ‘..the day I understand this stuff is the day I rule the universe’.
@Lyndi
Be sure to share your opinion after you try it.
It seems universe metaphor didn’t come out of nowhere. :)