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SQL’s UNION command allows you to combine the results of two or more database queries that are not necessarily linked through a database relationship. For example, imagine that you have a school database and wish to use it to create a master contact list for all students, faculty and staff. Looking at your database, you discover that the records corresponding to each of these constituencies appears in separate database tables.

Your first instinct might be to export the data from each table into a spreadsheet and combine the information there. However, you can combine these records within your database by writing separate queries for each constituency and combining the results of those queries with the UNION statement.

Read the full article: Combining Query Results with SQL’s UNION Statement

Many database users begin their adventure in the world of databases by creating a Microsoft Access database that meets the basic requirements of their organizations. Often, this is a dramatic improvement from an unwieldy collection of spreadsheets, text files or other documents that the organization previously used to manage information. However, eventually the business may outgrow that Access database and need to make the move to a more advanced database product.

Read the full story: Migrating to SQL Server with the Access Upsizing Wizard

The MySQL database server is one of the most popular open source databases in the world. Although administrators typically install MySQL on a server operating system, it’s certainly possible to install it on a desktop operating system like Windows 7. Once you do so, you’ll have the tremendous power of the flexible MySQL relational database available to you for free. It’s an extremely useful database for both developers and system administrators. Installing MySQL on Windows 7 is an especially valuable tool for those seeking to learn database administration but lack access to a server of their own. Here’s a step-by-step walkthrough of the process.

Read the full tutorial: Installing MySQL on Windows 7

In a recent forum post, Rekhaverma asked about ideas for tuning the performance of a SQL database. Do you have any ideas to help? Interested in what other About Database readers are saying? Stop by the forum and join the conversation!

You may use basic SQL queries to retrieve data from a database but this often doesn’t provide enough intelligence to meet business requirements. SQL also provides you with the ability to group query results based upon row-level attributes in order to apply aggregate functions using the GROUP BY clause.

Read the full article: Using the GROUP BY Clause to Group SQL Query Results

One of the most common uses of a database is generating mass mailings. In this tutorial, we examine the process of creating mailing labels using Microsoft Access using the built-in Label Wizard. We begin with a database containing the address data and walk you step-by-step through the process of creating and printing your mailing labels.

Read the full story: Printing Mailing Labels in Access 2010

The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) sets forth the security requirements for organizations that store, process and/or transmit credit or debit card transactions. These requirements stem from a series of significant security incidents affecting databases of consumer credit information over the past decade.

What does PCI DSS mean to you as a database professional? If you review the PCI DSS standard, you’ll find pages packed with detailed requirements for securing cardholder information. If your organization processes transactions, it’s a good idea to review the entire standard and ensure you’re meeting all of those requirements. That said, I’ll highlight a few salient points that pertain directly to database professionals.

Read the full article: PCI DSS for Database Professionals