Re: Where is the command line?

Hi Michael,

On Wed, Mar 30, 2016 at 3:48 PM, Gavin Flower <GavinFlower(at)archidevsys(dot)co(dot)nz
> wrote:

> On 31/03/16 11:05, madler(at)sfec(dot)us wrote:
>
>> I'm trying to learn postgreSQL. I installed 9.3.1. on a PC running
>> Windows 8. I needed that version to work with some DHI software. It
>> installed successfully. I now have a number of postgreSQL associated items
>> in my list of apps. They are:
>> Application Stack Builder
>> installation notes
>> pgadmin documentation
>> pgadmin III
>> postgreSQL documentation
>> postgreSQL release notes
>> Reload Configuration
>> SQL Shell (psql)
>>
>> That's The problem is that it doesn’t tell me where to iuse that
>> command. I have no program called “postgreSQL on my computer despite
>> successfully installing the software. The only program that has a command
>> prompt is the SQL shell one, and that doesn’t seem to be right, because
>> none of the things the tutorials say comes next actually happens.
>>
>
​What tutorial?​ And, have you read the introductory material in our
manual?

>
>> I used the pgadmin III to create a new database and new user in order to
>> log into the DHI software. That's as far as I know what to do with the DHI
>> software.
>> ​​
>> I'm trying to learn what else to do with the postgreSQL, so I've looked
>> up a bunch of tutorials. They all start out
>>
>
​You assume that people here know what this "DHI" software is. I
personally have no clue. And typically, with a database, its the software
the "log[s] into" the database and not the other way around.​

>
>> To create a new database, in this example named mydb, use the following
>> command:
>> $ createdb mydb
>>
>> That's The problem is that it doesn’t tell me where to use that command.
>> I have no program called “postgreSQL” on my computer despite successfully
>> installing the software. The only program that has a command prompt is the
>> SQL shell one, and that doesn’t seem to be right, because none of the
>> things the tutorials say comes next actually happens.
>>
>>
So find a tutorial about using the command line in Windows. There isn't
anything particular special about using the command line programs provided
by PostgreSQL.

> I looked all over pgadmin and could not find a command line, though it
>> does have menu items for creating a new database. This leads me to suspect
>> that perhaps I have a different sort of interface. However, I can’t
>> progress in the tutorials because I can’t find a command line anywhere, and
>> I can’t find any tutorials that tell me how to use interface I have, if
>> that’s what the situation is. Any advice?
>>
>
​PostgreSQL is a database service - which means that you don't directly
work with it like, say, Microsoft Access. pgAdminIII is a graphical
application that makes doing most things to the database possible. "SQL
Shell (psql)" is effectively a command line version of the same.​

​PostgreSQL is a relational database service. While it has many features
its fundamental behavior is pretty simple. You can save data into it and
then write queries to find answers to questions you have regarding said
data - or more simply just to retrieve what was stored.​ You typically
don't "launch" it like you would, say, Microsoft Excel.

I don't understand this: "​I'm trying to learn what else to do with the
postgreSQL"

There are two typically types of people that "use" PostgreSQL.
1) Those that have a program they want to use that requires (or at least
can use) PostgreSQL and so they need to install it and get PostgreSQL to
accept the program's requests and data.
2) People writing the programs that Type 1 people will use.

Type 1 people don't need to care what PostgreSQL does as long as the
program they do care about functions.

Type 2 people are the ones asking "what else is PostgreSQL capable of".

If you are a Type 1 person I'd probably focus on questions that move you
toward getting your other programs working.

If you are trying to become a Type 2 person it sounds like you need to
dedicate a considerable amount of time learning how software development
works generally and how to use the platform that you will be developing
on. While people here are likely to help this forum is much more
specialized.

David J.