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You might consider taking a step back and actually looking at the class content rather than debating which system to use for it right off the bat. Based on what little I've seen, this course is to teach databases (perhaps use, perhaps design) and underlying concepts. Is this a beginners' course? If so, you should probably strive to stay away from any given platform. I'd suggest taking a look at sqlcourse and maybe conceptualizing a class outline around that. The course itself only briefly grazes various SQL platforms.

I only offer this suggestion, having actually taught database, SQL, and platform-specific SQL classes for a former employer. The software we wrote supported two SQL back-ends: Sybase and MS SQL Server. That alone was enough to put most of the support reps I was instructing into a frenzy. When I started backing away from platforms themselves, and just teaching basic T-SQL along with diagrams of tables on a white board, it went a lot more smoothly. Really, it doesn't matter what platform you write for if you understand the query language enough to write fairly universal queries. To do anything that requires significantly esoteric querying probably requires you to have a very deep insight into the specifics of the platform you use.

It's really pretty amazing the amount of information you can teach without having to really use any SQL--but again I suggest looking at sqlcourse because it has you writing standardized T-SQL queries, but you don't ever see what platform you're using (if you're using one at all).

If this is really a class to teach basic dba functions like writing triggers and tweaking your platforms for performance, then it really comes down to the sad truth that to teach these skills you really need to teach them for a specific platform. Every company has their own esoteric set of tools, commands, and standards that in most cases have some striking similarity to T-SQL, but may do something different (look at how Pervasive.SQL, MySQL, MS SQL Server, and Sybase handle the idea of committing or rolling back a transaction).

I guess in summary it boils down to what concepts you're trying to teach. You may find that teaching database theory doesn't even require real databases. Ask a student, given two small tables, to describe what would be returned if table A and table B were left outer joined. They'll either get it or they won't, and I can't say any given platform will demonstrate it any better than a pencil and paper.

This is how I first cut my teeth in SQL, but I only developed 'real' skills when I started writing SAS code on a huge solaris system when I worked for a bank.

I would vote for SQLCourse.com as the easiest way to get started in SQL.

After it I had to read 4 other books, but that is the site that I refer all people who ask me about SQL. Simple, enjoyable, and hands-on practice.

Since I was a moderator, I am posting as a logged out AC (my points are used up :).

Anyhow sqlcourse.com, "Database design for mere mortals", "PHP & MySQL development" (on Sams), and "SQL Server 2000 Developer Guide" is all that I needed to learn database programming. For the Enterprise-inclined, I'd recommend "Instant SQL Server 2000 Applications". mySQL is OK for beginning programming in SQL. One quickly enough outgrows its capabilities.

As far as Access goes, here's a not-so-obvious shortcut to its SQL interface.

Open a database, go to Query, create query in design mode, right below the file menu is a button that looks either like a grid, or a triangle. If you click it, the last choice in the pull down menu is SQL.

Select at will :-)

I will also argue that Access 2002 (XP) uses MSDE as its engine, so the user has an excellent environment to work with. MDB format is bad, MSDE is nice as it's simply an embedded edition of SQL Server 2000.

These are good resources.

As long as someone tries to stick to ANSI-compliant SQL, it's nothing too difficult.

For someone who understands relational theory tools such as Access Visual Query and Datanamic's DeZign for Databases greatly simplify their life.

Lastly, using Safari saves quite a bit on books too.

No affiliate links were used in this message. :-)

Leonid S. Knyshov

PHP: PHP.net

Comments: If you've got a programming background, this website is all you need. If you don't have a programming background, an introductory book and this website is all you need.

HTML, Javascript, DHTML, XML, DTD, etc.: W3Schools.com

Comments: Good introductions to a ton of topics on the left-hand side.

SQL: SQLCourse.com

Comments: The first place I ever pointed my students to for SQL and probably the perfect quick source for anything up until the level of stored procedures, transactions, etc., which vary depending on the DB implementation anyway.

C++/C/Java textbooks: ACCU.org

Comments: Lots of book reviews on a bunch of topics. To be honest, I still haven't seen a website that covers these three languages as well as good books do.

After all this, hone your google and google.groups skills and you should be able to solve any problem.

Try www.sqlcourse.com and www.sqlcourse2.com
That's where I learned SQL. It uses an interpreter and a live practice database.

My favorites are:

www.sqlcourse.com

www.sqlcourse2.com

These are good beginner sites that allow you to practice through a java app.

I agree that SQL should be the first language to learn since almost everything on the web is database driven. I've used the following tutorial to brush up on my SQL skills and it has helped me tremendously. I especially like the online interpreter so you can build queries and see their results online without having to install a database locally on your computer. Check it out!