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Databases

Zachary Wheeler
Zachary Wheeler
1,157 Points

Reporting to SQL Challenge 3 Task 1

https://teamtreehouse.com/library/reporting-with-sql/working-with-text/concatenating-text

I'm having a hard time understanding the instructions on this challenge. I'm not sure what it is asking me to alias? Am i simply using SELECT and FROM commands like in the video or the others also?

2 Answers

Steven Parker
Steven Parker
231,140 Points

This query will use a SELECT and a FROM clause.

But the SELECT will be a bit involved, requiring the concatenation of a mix of data fields with literal strings, plus a column alias for the completed string.

This will be a chance to apply things you learned in the last few videos to a practical situation that's a bit different from any of the video examples. But the instructor and I are both betting you can figure it out.

Zachary Wheeler
Zachary Wheeler
1,157 Points

SELECT first_name AS "Andrew" || last_name AS "Chalkley" || email AS "andrew@teamtreehouse.com" FROM patrons AS to_field;

Here is what I have down currently. 1. Do I have the concatenations in the right spot and 2. Are the to_field it's asking for in the right area? I wasn't sure which column I was supposed to alias as to_field. was it each one within the selection like name, and email?

Let me know what needs to be fixed.

Thanks!

Steven Parker
Steven Parker
231,140 Points

Ok, here's a few more hints:

  • an alias (AS name) must follow the field(s) or literal(s) it is being applied to
  • all fields, with or without aliases, that are part of the SELECT clause will come before the FROM clause
  • parts of the sample string shown in the challenge should not appear as literals in the query
  • the query should use table fields to create a composite string that has the format of the sample
  • you can tell from the sample that the query will probably use the first_name, last_name, and email fields
  • the fields will need to be concatenated with literal strings where spacing and/or symbols are needed
Aananya Vyas
Aananya Vyas
20,157 Points

SELECT first_name || " " || last_name || " <" || email || ">" AS "to_field" FROM patrons;

try this

Steven Parker
Steven Parker
231,140 Points

Aananya Vyas, I think most folks get a better learning experience by solving an issue themselves with a few hints than just being shown the answer. After 23 days, I'd hope Zachary has solved this (even though he did not select a "best answer"), but it might be a bit of a "spoiler" for others who have not completed this task themselves yet.