Two Studies Evaluating Learning and Use of QBE and SQL

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Abstract
Two studies were performed to evaluate learning and use of Query by Example (QBE) and Structured Query Language (SQL) for two user groups - college Business Administration students and secretaries. Test participants were taught each query language using a program controlled training package, and all database queries were performed online. Data on task times and detailed tracking of user performance were collected by an independent computer. Subjective responses were collected on a post-test questionnaire. Overall, both groups learned SQL faster than QBE. The additional learning time for QBE can be attributed to teaching how to manipulate table skeletons on a display screen and explaining the concepts necessary to perform queries involving aggregation, built-in functions, output tables and the QBE Condition Box. Both languages were learned equally well for the lessons on simple queries and queries involving comparisons and logic. Business students learned to write queries using more than one table faster on QBE. On the post-test questionnaire, eight of the twelve Business students, and seven of the eight secretaries preferred SQL over QBE.

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