I believe I've seen EXIST used when creating backups of tables to test for the existence of a table and DROP it if it exists (if you select the option to add such code in phpMyAdmin). So that would have been my answer (give or take more specific wording for an interview). As for pronounciation... I used to say "S-Q-L" for all such references and still use it when talking about the language most of the time, but some of my coworkers "sequel" has rubbed off on me, especially with MySQL. I used to cringe heartily at such wordification of acronyms that didn't actually spell a word, or something similar that at least contained some vowels, but it's kind of nice to reduce a mouthful a little bit. I've never heard "squell", though. Not sure I like that very much. -TG ----- Original Message ----- From: tedd <tedd@xxxxxxxxxxxx> To: PHP General Mailing List <php-general@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Date: Sun, 7 Dec 2008 10:03:26 -0500 Subject: A MySQL Question > Hi gang: > > I just interviewed for a job teaching at the local college (imagine > me taking minds of mush and molding them to the world according to > tedd -- frightening huh?) > > In any event, the interviewer asked me how long I've been using MySQL > and I replied several years. After which she asked a single question, > which was "What does EXIST mean?" > > Now without running to the manuals, please be honest and tell me how > many of you know off the top of your head what EXIST means? I would > be curious to know. > > I answered the question correctly, (I'm one of those weird types who > read manuals for fun) but I have never used EXIST in a query. Have > any of you? > > And while we're on the subject of MySQL -- while we all know how to > write it, how do you say it? > > I've read that the common way is to say "My Squell", or something > like that. But I always sounded out each letter, such as "My S-Q-L". > The interviewer pronounced it the same as I, but I have heard others > say it differently. > > What say you? > > Cheers, > > tedd -- PHP General Mailing List (http://www.php.net/) To unsubscribe, visit: http://www.php.net/unsub.php
