How to set up SteemSQL on a Mac computer and "Curate like a Boss"

Ever since reading @carlgnash’s posts on using SteemSQL as a curation tool “Curate like a Boss,” I have been itching to get it set up and cooking. @carlgnash created two excellent articles telling us Steemians all about how to get started with SteemSQL:

https://steemit.com/steemit/@carlgnash/curate-like-a-boss-a-beginner-s-guide-to-querying-steemsql-by-a-complete-sql-beginner
https://steemit.com/steemit/@carlgnash/curate-like-a-boss-pt-2-a-beginner-s-guide-to-querying-steemsql-by-a-complete-sql-beginner

I am not going to repeat information from Carl’s post, so be sure and read those as they are excellent.

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My SQL Problem
The problem I had in getting started with SQL is that I am using a Mac computer. The tools seem to be pretty limited for Mac, or so they seem to me. So I am going to show all you Mac-using-SQL-wanna-be’s how I set up my system to access the SteemSQL.

Step 1
First thing you will need is a client. I wanted a free one as I did not know if this is something I will be wanting to commit too much time and money into. The software I am using is Oracle’s “SQL Developer.” You can download a full version for free from here:

http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/developer-tools/sql-developer/overview/index.html

I had to create an account and validate an email to install. Not sure if you can get around this or not. Let me now?

Download and install

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Step 2
Next, Java 8. I am not a fan of Java and have not been keeping it up to date on my machine, but you need to have Java 8 to run SQL. I updated my Java to 8 through Apple’s system preferences, but this did not work. SQLDeveloper keep telling me that I did not have Java 8 – the nerve!

I did some research on the Interweb and found a solution here:
http://prsync.com/oracle/java--on-a-mac-with-sql-developer--653575/

In this article we are told that we need to download and install the Java 8 JDK. You can get it here (in case the above link no longer works): http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/java/javase/downloads/jdk8-downloads-2133151.html

Once you’ve install the JDK give yourself a reboot for good measure.

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Step 3
If you run SQLDeveloper it will not work yet – Here is why…

The SteemSQL is a MicrosoftSQL. So we need to configure SQLDeveloper to be able to access this type – No Problem! We will need a JDBC drive to allow us to access SteemSQL (MsSQL).

I found this article with helps with that:
http://www.gokhanatil.com/2011/09/configuring-oracle-sql-developer-for-microsoft-sql-server-and-mysql.html

Feel free to read up, but I will give you the details you need here.

Step 3a
The article points us to this driver download location: https://sourceforge.net/projects/jtds/
Go there and download the driver and unzip it into a folder where you store it forever. I created a folder in my applications folder called “SQL Developer” and I placed the SQLDeveloper application and this driver in it.

Step 3b
Now you can start up SQLDeveloper. Go to “Preferences.” Expand the “Database” selection on the left and select “Third Party JDBC Drivers.” Click “Add Entry..” at the bottom of the window. You will need to navigate to your SQL Developer folder, navigate into the driver folder that you unzipped earlier and select the “jtds-1.3.1.jar” file. Once there click OK a the bottom of the page.

Step 3c
Quit SQLDeveloper and restart it.

Step 3d
Click the Green + button to create a new connection.

You will be brought to the ‘New Connection’ window. Here is how you can configure your connection for SteemSQL.
The password will be “steemit”

Now you are in SteemSQL!!!! Go to @carlgnash’s posts (beginning of this post) to see what you can do and to see some query examples. On steemit.chat there is a group dedicated to this stuff - #steemsql. Great info in there too.

I hope this helps you in your queries. If you have questions or comments please put them in below? If you liked this post please upvote, resteem and follow

Cheers,
@buckydurddle