DEV Community: Emmanuel Cobham

Introduction to SQL

Emmanuel Cobham — Wed, 11 Dec 2024 11:10:34 +0000

What is SQL?

The computer language known as SQL, or Structured Query Language, was created specifically for relational database administration and manipulation. It is essential for anyone working in software development, analytics, or data management since it is the common language for communicating with database systems.

The fundamentals, types and features of SQL will all be covered in this article.

SQL is a domain-specific language used to:

Create and define tables and databases.
Data in databases can be added, updated, retrieved, and deleted.
Control database access and permissions.
Keep database performance under control and optimized.

Many database management systems (DBMS), such as MySQL, PostgreSQL, Oracle Database, Microsoft SQL Server, and SQLite, use SQL.

Important SQL Features:

Execute CRUD (Create, Read, Update, Delete) actions to manipulate data.
Define database structures like tables, schemas, and indexes.
Data querying: Use SELECT commands to extract and obtain particular data.
Data Control: Use the GRANT and REVOKE commands to manage user permissions.
Data Transactions: Enables dependable database operations by supporting ACID (Atomicity, Consistency, Isolation, Durability) compliance.
Portability: Compatible with various database systems.

What is SQLite3?

SQLite3 is a high-performance, lightweight, and self-contained database engine that manages data using SQL (Structured Query Language). SQLite is serverless, which means it doesn't need a separate server process to function, in contrast to other database management systems like MySQL or PostgreSQL. Rather, it saves information on the user's device as a single, portable file.

Because of its simplicity, minimal resource needs, and ease of integration, SQLite3 is widely utilized in desktop software, mobile applications, embedded devices, and browsers.

Key Features of SQLite3:

Serverless Architecture: SQLite reduces system overhead and simplifies installation by operating without a dedicated server.
Zero Configuration: It is perfect for applications where simplicity is crucial because it doesn't require any setup or administration.
Lightweight: SQLite is very effective and perfect for contexts with limited resources because of its modest library size (less than 1 MB).
Single Database File: One cross-platform database file contains all of the configurations, tables, indexes, and data.
Cross-Platform: SQLite databases are compatible with a wide range of operating systems without requiring any changes.
Self-Contained: It is portable because it doesn't require other libraries.
ACID Compliance: To ensure dependable transactions, SQLite complies with the Atomicity, Consistency, Isolation, and Durability characteristics.
SQL Standard: It allows for familiarity in usage by supporting the majority of the SQL-92 standard.
Open Source: A public domain license makes SQLite publicly accessible.

Fundamental SQLIte3 Exercise

Let's begin by going over the basic SQL commands required to construct tables. We'll also look at how to change already-existing tables by adding, modifying, or deleting columns. By the end of this article, we should have a firm grasp on how to use SQLite3 to efficiently manage our database schema.

1. How to set up SQLite3:

Install SQLite3 by using the browser's search engine
Search for SQLite3 and select the "SQLite Download page" option

On the next page, under "Precompiled Binaries for Windows" click on "sqlite-tools-win-x64-3470200.zip" to download it

Click on the Downloaded file

Now we download a Data Set
Search on Google for SQLite data starter packs

Click on "American Community Survey 1-Year Data for 2015"
And download the SQL Lite Database

Now copy the downloaded dataset and move it to the folder with your SQLIte3

Now open Command Prompt
And copy the file path where the SQLite and Dataset are and paste the file path in the command prompt

cd into the file path you copied
Then type sqlite3

2. Create a Database:

To create your database use the .open command

Conclusion

SQL is a key component of contemporary data management is. From novices learning to query data to experts creating intricate systems, SQL's versatility and strength make it an essential tool. Gaining proficiency in SQL ensures its continuous relevance in the rapidly changing IT scene and opens up a world of options in data-driven professions.

Getting familiar with Git/GitHub

Emmanuel Cobham — Sun, 24 Nov 2024 04:02:11 +0000

What is Git?

Git is a distributed version control system, which means that a local clone of the project is a complete version control repository.

Working remotely or offline is made simple by these fully working local repositories. After committing their work locally, developers synchronize their copy of the repository with the server copy. In contrast to centralized version control, which requires clients to synchronize code with a server before producing new code versions, this paradigm.

What is Github?

GitHub offers a developer platform driven by AI for creating, scaling, and delivering safe applications. More than 100 million developers from all over the world come together on GitHub to create things and improve them, whether you're planning new features, resolving bugs, or working collaboratively on modifications.

The benefits of Git include the following:

Simultaneous development: Each person can work on their own branches at the same time and has their own local copy of the code. Since nearly all operations are local, Git functions offline.
Faster releases: Branches enable concurrent and adaptable development. You release the stable, excellent code from the main branch. Work in progress is kept in feature branches and, when finished, is merged into the main branch. It is simpler to manage stable code and issue updates more rapidly when the release branch and development in progress are kept apart.
Built-in integration: Because of its widespread use, Git is integrated into the majority of tools and products. Git support is integrated into all major IDEs, and many tools provide metrics, reporting features, work item tracking, continuous integration, continuous deployment, and automated testing. The daily workflow is made simpler by this integration.
Strong community support: Git is the de facto version control standard and is open-source. Teams have an abundance of tools and resources at their disposal. Compared to other version control systems, Git has a larger community, which makes it simple to receive assistance when needed.
Git works with any team: By promoting cooperation, enforcing rules, automating procedures, and enhancing work visibility and traceability, Git combined with a source code management tool boosts team productivity.
For continuous integration and deployment, work item tracking, and version control, the team can choose several tools. Alternatively, customers can select a service that supports all of these tasks in one location, such as Azure DevOps or GitHub.
Pull requests: Before integrating code changes into the main branch, use pull requests to consult with the team. Pull request talks are crucial for guaranteeing code quality and enhancing team understanding.
Developers can examine builds, check commits, browse file changes, comment, and vote to accept the code in a sophisticated pull request experience provided by platforms like as GitHub and Azure DevOps.
Branch policies: Teams can set up Azure DevOps and GitHub to ensure uniform procedures and workflows throughout the team. To guarantee that pull requests fulfill requirements prior to completion, they can establish branch policies. By prohibiting direct pushes, requiring reviewers, and guaranteeing clean builds, branch policies safeguard critical branches.

Install and set up Git

Git needs to be explicitly installed and configured because it isn't yet a default option on machines. Additionally, Git needs to be kept up to date, just like any other software. Updates enable access to new features, address issues, and guard against security flaws.

Installing and maintaining Git for the three primary platforms is covered in the sections that follow.

Install Git for Windows

Download and install: https://git-scm.com/downloads/win

Git can be accessed via PowerShell or the command prompt after installation. Unless there is a compelling reason to alter the defaults, it is advised that you choose them during installation.

For Windows, Git does not update itself. Downloading the most recent installer version will upgrade Git for Windows while keeping all settings intact.

Install Git for macOS

Git is installed the first time you try to launch it from the Terminal with macOS 10.9 (Mavericks) and later. Although installing Git on a system is simple with this method, it doesn't provide you control over how frequently security patches or upgrades are applied.

It is advised that you install Git using https://brew.sh/ instead, and that you utilize Homebrew tools to maintain Git's updates. Installing and controlling open source development tools on a Mac via the command line is made easy with Homebrew.

To install the most recent version of Git on a Mac, install https://brew.sh/ and execute the following commands.

brew install git

To update the Git install, use Homebrew's upgrade option:

brew upgrade git

The official Git website also offers a graphical installer for Git on macOS: https://git-scm.com/downloads/mac

Install Git for Linux

Installing and updating Git requires using the native package management system of the Linux distribution. For instance, on Ubuntu:

sudo apt-get install git

Configure Git on Linux

Establish the email address and name before you begin working with Git. Git adds this information to modifications so that others can determine which authors are responsible for which changes.

git config --global user.name " "

git config --global user.email ""

Run > git config --list to confirm your username and email

10 Essential Git commands:

1) Git clone: To download pre-existing source code from a remote repository (such as Github, for instance), use the Git clone command. To put it another way, a Git clone essentially creates a computer copy of the most recent version of a project stored in a repository.

git clone https://name-of-the-repository-link

2) Git branch: In the git world, branches are crucial. Multiple developers can collaborate on the same project at the same time by using branches. The git branch command can be used to create, list, and remove branches.

git branch

3) Git checkout: One of the most used Git commands is this one as well. You must first switch to a branch in order to work there. Git checkout is primarily used when we want to swap between branches. It can also be used to check out commits and files.

git checkout

4) Git status: All of the information we need about the current branch is provided by the Git status command.

git status

5) Git add: Unless the configurations are changed, all changes made to a file during creation, modification, or deletion will take place locally and not be reflected in the subsequent commit.
To incorporate the modifications of a file or files into our next commit, we must utilize the git add command.

git add

In order to include everything at once:

git add -A

6) Git commit: Perhaps the most often used Git command is this one. We want to store our changes after we've reached a particular stage of development, perhaps following a particular task or problem.
Setting a checkpoint in the development process that you may return to later if necessary is what git commit is all about.

git commit -m "commit message"

7) Git push: Sending your modifications to the remote server should be your next step after submitting your changes. Your commits are uploaded to the remote repository via Git push.

git push

8) Git pull: To obtain updates from the remote repository, use the git pull command. Combining the commands git fetch and git merge, git pull instantly applies the most recent changes to your local repository (git merge) and retrieves updates from a remote repository (git fetch)

git pull

9) Git revert: We occasionally have to reverse the adjustments we've made. Depending on our needs, there are a number of ways to reverse our modifications, either locally or remotely. However, we must use these commands cautiously to prevent unintentional deletions.
Git revert provides a more secure method of undoing our commits.

git revert

10) Git merge: Merging the branch with the parent branch (dev or master) is the last step when you've finished developing your branch and everything is functioning as it should. The git merge command is used for this.

git merge

Illustrations and Instructions for Using GIT Commands

Download Git Bash on your computer: https://git-scm.com/downloads/win

Establish the email address and name before you begin working with Git. Git adds this information to modifications so that others can determine which authors are responsible for which changes.

git config --global user.name " "

git config --global user.email ""

Run > git config --list to confirm your username and email

Setting up your workspace is the next stage. We must create a directory in order to accomplish this. The CD command is used to enter the directory once it has been created

We will call the directory "cv" and create the directory with mkdir command

The CD command is used to enter the directory once it has been created

In order for GIT to understand our command, we must then change the directory to a local GIT REPO and initialize the previously constructed directory. The command git init is what we use

Next, we use the touch command to create an empty document (text file). The command touch index.html is what we utilize.

The text file must then be opened for editing. We use the VIM command for this.

In order to edit, we must be in INSERT mode, which is accessed by pressing the letter I on the keyboard.

Next We copy our cv and go to ChatGPT. Paste the information in your cv in ChatGPT

Then type "provide index.html resume with the information above"

Then copy the code provided by ChatGPT and paste it in your Git Bash

We press the Escape button to save the file.

Then Press Shift and Column together
Then type wq

-The Press enter

The next step is to clone our repository by logging into your GITHUB account, clicking the plus sign in the upper right corner, selecting "new repository,"

Type a name under "Repository name" on the following page. The name used here is "git103". Click on ADD A README FILE then proceed to create a repository.

Then proceed to create a repository.

Click on the top green option that displays code on the next page after successfully creating a REPO. We have to then copy the URL.

The next step is to execute the command git remote add origin to clone the REPO inside the Git bash.

Now type git-status

The next step is to use the following command to move the text file we created to the staging area: git add index.html

Use git status to check and confirm the file has been added

The command git commit -m "commit message" is then used to let git take a snapshot and push to git hub; the m there stands for message.

Pushing that file to Git Hub is the next step. You will be prompted to sign into your Git hub account after using the command git push origin master

-To accept the pull request from git bash, navigate to the repository you created on Git hub (Click Compare & pull request)

The next step is to select Settings from the upper right corner of the page, followed by Pages.

Next, choose either MASTER or MAIN as the branch from which you deployed it.

After selecting master, select save, and then refresh the page, a link displaying the resume (CV) on the website will be generated.

In Conclusion, this detailed article defined Git and Github, the benefits of using Git, essential commands to take note of when using Git, how to install Git on different operating systems and an exercise on deploying a website using Git and Git bash.

Create a Log Analytics workspace

Emmanuel Cobham — Wed, 13 Nov 2024 23:59:44 +0000

This article outlines detailed steps on how to create a log analytics workspace

One of Azure Monitor's features, Azure Monitor Logs, gathers and arranges performance and log information from resources under observation. For log data from Azure Monitor and other Azure services, a Log Analytics workspace is a special setting. Although each workspace may incorporate data from several services, each workspace has its own data store and settings.

Create a Log Analytics workspace

1) In the Azure Portal Search Bar, enter Log Analytics and select Log Analytics workspaces from the list of results

2) On the Log Analytics workspaces page, choose Create

3) On the Basics page of the Create Log Analytics workspace wizard, provide the following information and choose Review + Create

4) Review the information and choose Create

Configure Log Analytics data retention and archive policies

1) In the Azure Portal Search Bar, enter Log Analytics and select Log Analytics workspaces from the list of results

2) On the Log Analytics workspaces page, choose LogAnalytics1

3) On the Log Analytics workspace page for LogAnalytics1, choose Usage and estimated costs

4) Select Data Retention and set the slider to 60 days. Choose OK

5) On the Log Analytics workspace page for LogAnalytics1, choose Usage and estimated costs

6) Select Daily cap. Choose On. Set the daily cap to 10 GB and choose OK

Enable access to a Log Analytics workspace

1) In the Azure Portal Search Bar, enter Log Analytics and select Log Analytics workspaces from the list of results

2) On the Log Analytics workspaces page, choose LogAnalytics1

3) Select Access control (IAM)

4) Choose Add and then choose Add role assignment

5) On the list of roles, select Log Analytics Reader and choose Next

6) On the Members page, choose Select Members and choose the App Log Examiners security group. Choose Select

7) On the Members space, choose Review + Assign

Provide storage for a new company app

Emmanuel Cobham — Sat, 02 Nov 2024 18:48:30 +0000

Create the storage account and managed identity

1. Provide a storage account for the web app

In the portal, search for and select Storage accounts

Select + Create

For Resource group select Create new. Give your resource group a name and select OK to save your changes

Provide a Storage account name. Ensure the name is unique and meets the naming requirements

Move to the Encryption tab

Check the box for Enable infrastructure encryption
Notice the warning, This option cannot be changed after this storage account is created.

Select Review + Create

Wait for the resource to deploy

2. Provide a managed identity for the web app to use

Search for and select Managed identities

Select Create

Select your resource group

Give your managed identity a name

Select Review and create, and then Create

3. Assign the correct permissions to the managed identity. The identity only needs to read and list containers and blobs

Search for and select your storage account

Select the Access Control (IAM) blade

Select Add role assignment (center of the page)

On the Job functions roles page, search for and select the Storage Blob Data Reader role

On the Members page, select Managed identity

Select Select members, in the Managed identity drop-down select User-assigned managed identity

Select the managed identity you created in the previous step
Click Select and then Review + assign the role

Select Review + assign a second time to add the role assignment
Your storage account can now be accessed by a managed identity with the Storage Data Blob Reader permissions

Secure access to the storage account with a key vault and key

1. To create the key vault and key needed for this part of the lab, your user account must have Key Vault Administrator permissions

In the portal, search for and select Resource groups

Select your resource group, and then the Access Control (IAM) blade

Select Add role assignment (center of the page)

On the Job functions roles page, search for and select the Key Vault Administrator role

On the Members page, select User, group, or service principal

Select Select members

Search for and select your user account. Your user account is shown in the top right of the portal

Click Select and then Review + assign

Select Review + assign a second time to add the role assignment
You are now ready to continue with the lab

2. Create a key vault to store the access keys

In the portal, search for and select Key vaults

Select Create

Select your resource group

Provide the name for the key vault. The name must be unique

Ensure on the Access configuration tab that Azure role-based access control (recommended) is selected

Select Review + create

Wait for the validation checks to complete and then select Create

After the deployment, select Go to resource

On the Overview blade ensure both Soft-delete and Purge protection are enabled

2. Create a customer-managed key in the key vault

In your key vault, in the Objects section, select the Keys blade
Select Generate/Import and Name the key
Take the defaults for the rest of the parameters, and Create the key

Provide storage for the public website

Emmanuel Cobham — Wed, 09 Oct 2024 14:57:25 +0000

Create a storage account with high availability

1: Create a storage account to support the public website

In the portal, search for and select storage accounts

Select + Create

For resource group select new. Give your resource group a name and select OK

Set the Storage account name to mypublicwebsite. Make sure the storage account name is unique by adding an identifier

Take the defaults for other settings
Select Review and then Create

Wait for the storage account to deploy, and then select Go to resource

2: This storage requires high availability if there’s a regional outage. Additionally, enable read access to the secondary region

In the storage account, in the Data management section, select the Redundancy blade

Ensure Read-access Geo-redundant storage is selected

Review the primary and secondary location information

3: Information on the public website should be accessible without requiring customers to login

In the storage account, in the Settings section, select the Configuration blade

Ensure the Allow blob anonymous access setting is Enabled

Be sure to Save your changes

Create a blob storage container with anonymous read access

1: The public website has various images and documents. Create a blob storage container for the content

In your storage account, in the Data storage section, select the Containers blade

Select + Container

Ensure the Name of the container is public

Select Create

2: Customers should be able to view the images without being authenticated. Configure anonymous read access for the public container blobs

Select your public container

On the Overview blade, select Change access level
Ensure the Public access level is Blob (anonymous read access for blobs only)
Select OK

Practice uploading files and testing access

1: For testing, upload a file to the public container. The type of file doesn’t matter. A small image or text file is a good choice

Ensure you are viewing your container

Select Upload

Browse to files and select a file. Browse to a file of your choice

Select Upload

Close the upload window, Refresh the page and ensure your file was uploaded

2: Determine the URL for your uploaded file. Open a browser and test the URL

Select your uploaded file

On the Overview tab, copy the URL

Paste the URL into a new browser tab

If you have uploaded an image file it will display in the browser. Other file types should be downloaded

Configure soft delete

1: It’s important that the website documents can be restored if they’re deleted. Configure blob soft delete for 21 days

Go to the Overview blade of the storage account

On the Properties page, locate the Blob service section

Select the Blob soft delete setting

Ensure the Enable soft delete for blobs is checked

Change the Keep deleted blobs for (in days setting is 21)

Notice you can also Enable soft delete for containers

Don’t forget to Save your changes

2: If something gets deleted, you need to practice using soft delete to restore the files

Navigate to your container where you uploaded a file
Select the file you uploaded and then select Delete

Select Delete to confirm deleting the file

On the container Overview page, toggle the slider Show deleted blobs. This toggle is to the right of the search box

Select your deleted file, and use the ellipses on the far right, to Undelete the file

Refresh the container and confirm the file has been restored

Configure blob versioning

1: It’s important to keep track of the different website product document versions

Go to the Overview blade of the storage account

In the Properties section, locate the Blob service section
Select the Versioning setting

Ensure the Enable versioning for blobs checkbox is checked

Notice your options to keep all versions or delete versions after

Don’t forget to Save your changes

2: As you have time experiment with restoring previous blob versions

Upload another version of your container file. This overwrites your existing file

Your previous file version is listed on Show deleted blobs page.

In summary, providing storage for a public website requires careful attention to detail and a deep comprehension of the essential platforms. Every step is essential to making sure your website is safe and accessible, from setting up your storage account to allowing public access. You may host your website's data in a dependable and manageable manner by carefully following these procedures, which will improve user experience and preserve data integrity. Now that you have this information, you may fully utilize your storage capacity and create a strong online presence.

Provide storage for the IT department testing and training

Emmanuel Cobham — Mon, 30 Sep 2024 03:55:45 +0000

What is Azure Storage

Microsoft's cloud storage solution for contemporary data storage scenarios is the Azure Storage platform. For a range of cloud-based data items, Azure Storage provides highly accessible, massively scalable, robust, and secure storage.

Through a REST API, Azure Storage data items are reachable via HTTP or HTTPS from any location in the globe. Client libraries are also available from Azure Storage for developers using.NET, Java, Python, JavaScript, C++, and Go to create applications or services. Developers and IT specialists can create scripts for data management or configuration tasks using Azure PowerShell and Azure CLI. Tools for working with Azure Storage through an interface are offered by the Azure portal and Azure Storage Explorer.

In this article, I will outline the steps to provide storage for IT department testing and training

Create a resource group and a storage account

1: Create and deploy a resource group to hold all your project resources

In the Azure portal, search for and select Resource Group

Select + Create

Give your resource group a name. For example: cobhamrg

Select a region

Select Review and create to validate the resource group

Select Create to deploy the resource group

2: Create and deploy a storage account to support testing and training

In the Azure portal, search for and select Storage accounts

Select + Create

On the Basics tab, select your Resource group

Provide a Storage account name. The storage account name must be unique in Azure

Set the Performance to Standard

Select Review, and then Create

Wait for the storage account to deploy and then Go to resource

Configure simple settings in the storage account

1: The data in this storage account doesn’t require high availability or durability. A lowest cost storage solution is desired. Learn more about storage account redundancy

In your storage account, in the Data management section, select the Redundancy blade

Select Locally-redundant storage (LRS) in the Redundancy drop-down

Be sure to Save your changes

Refresh the page and notice the content only exists in the primary location

2: The storage account should only accept requests from secure connections

In the Settings section, select the Configuration blade

Ensure Secure transfer required is Enabled

3: Developers would like the storage account to use at least TLS version 1.2

In the Settings section, select the Configuration blade
Ensure the Minimal TLS version is set to Version 1.2

4: Until the storage is needed again, disable requests to the storage account

In the Settings section, select the Configuration blade
Ensure Allow storage account key access is Disabled

Be sure to Save your changes

5: Ensure the storage account allows public access from all networks

In the Security + networking section, select the Networking blade

Ensure Public network access is set to Enabled from all networks

Be sure to Save your changes

In this article, we have gone over the steps on how to provide a storage account for the IT department testing and training, follow me for more articles like this