Flyspeed SQL Query: Getting Started

Flyspeed is a general purpose query tool that is compatible with SOS’s Sybase SQL Anywhere database, as well as most other popular databases, such as Microsoft SQL Server. It provides structure that will be welcome to those who are new to SQL, as well as to those who are SQL experts. Flyspeed is free, but if you would like to print or export the results of your queries you will have to purchase a $29 license. See http://www.activedbsoft.com/overview-querytool.html for more details.

Once you have your copy of Flyspeed, just follow these steps to get started:

Make sure that you have followed the instructions in http://www.sosoft.com/queries/how2010/ or http://www.sosoft.com/queries/how2009/ (depending on the version of SOS you are using). Do a simple query using the SOS-provided DBISQL utility to be sure everything is working: SELECT * FROM PATIENTS for example.
Now start up Flyspeed.
Select Connection > New Connectionfrom the menu at the top of the screen to launch the New Connection Wizard.
On the Database Server window, select “Generic ODBC Connection” as the Connection Type. For SQL Syntax, select “Sybase”. A third field, Server version, will appear. Make sure it says “Sybase ASA” (NOT “Sybase ASE”), then click Next.
On the Connection properties window, select the first option, System/User DSN, and type or select SOSDATA. If you are on a secure workstation, you can add your SOS login ID and, optionally, password so that you can connect without having to enter your credentials each time. Be sure to type your password in all UPPERCASE. If, and only if, your workstation is secure and not located in a public area, you may check the Save password option. Click Next.
Finally, give the connection a name, such as “SOS”, and click Finish. You will see your connection listed in the pane on the left. Click the little plus to the left of the connection name to expand it. You will see a folder in which you can save your queries and other folders containing all the base tables and views in the SOSDATA database. If at some point you want to query other databases you may have on your network, they can be added in a similar fashion. In the screenshot below you will see several of the other databases running here at SOS in the list.
To start working on your first query, click the New Querybutton in the toolbar at the top.
Next, click the Add Objectbutton in the toolbar to select the tables, views, or both for your query. Ignore the system objects and scroll right until you see items that you recognize, starting with “AdjustX” (adjustment explanations) in the tables, and “AGINGBYSORTCODE” in the views. As soon as you select the first one, you will see your query start to take shape in the worksheet. If you add more than one object (table or view), drag from a field in one object to the appropriate field in a second object to create a JOIN to link the two. You can change the type of JOIN by right-clicking on the line that will appear between the two objects.
Click the checkboxes next to the columns/fields you want to output in your query, and configure your filter conditions in the middle pane of the worksheet.
To run your query, click the Execute button just above the worksheet — the one with the lightning bolt icon.