Learn SQL by Building a Student Database: Part 1

Welcome to the SQL Lessons!

10. Start the Terminal

10.1

The first thing you need to do is start the terminal. Do that by clicking the "hamburger" menu at the top left of the screen, going to the "terminal" section, and clicking "new terminal". Once you open a new one, type echo hello SQL into the terminal and press enter.

HINTS

Capitalization matters
If the tests don't run automatically, try typing exit into the terminal and redoing the instructions

20. psql login

20.1

You are started with two .csv files with info about your computer science students. You should take a look at them. The top row in each file has titles, and the rest are values for those titles. You will be adding all that info to a PostgreSQL database. Log into the psql interactive terminal with psql --username=freecodecamp --dbname=postgres to get started.

HINTS

Type psql --username=freecodecamp --dbname=postgres into the terminal and press enter

30. \l

30.1

View the existing databases with the \l shortcut command to see what's here.

HINTS

Type \l into the psql prompt and press enter

40. CREATE DATABASE students;

40.1

All the info from the CSV files will go into a single database. Create a new database named students.

HINTS

Use the CREATE DATABASE keywords
Here's an example: CREATE DATABASE <database_name>;
Type CREATE DATABASE students; into the psql prompt and press enter

50. \l

50.1

View the databases again to make sure it got created.

HINTS

Use the list shortcut command in the psql prompt
Type \l into the psql prompt and press enter

60. \c students

60.1

There it is. Connect to your new database so you can start adding tables.

HINTS

Use the \c shortcut command
Here's an example: \c <database_name>
Type \c students in the psql prompt

70. CREATE TABLE students

70.1

The CSV files have a bunch of students with info about them, and some courses and majors. You will have four tables. One for the students and their info, one for each major, another for each course, and a final one for showing what courses are included in each major. First, create the students table.

HINTS

Use the CREATE TABLE keywords
There should be parenthesis after the table name
Here's an example: CREATE TABLE <table_name>();
Type CREATE TABLE students(); into the psql prompt

80. CREATE TABLE majors

80.1

The second table will be for each unique major that appears in the data. Create a table named majors.

HINTS

Use the CREATE TABLE keywords
There should be parenthesis after the table name
Here's an example: CREATE TABLE <table_name>();
Type CREATE TABLE majors(); into the psql prompt

90. CREATE TABLE courses

90.1

The third table is for each unique course in the data. Create another table named courses.

HINTS

Use the CREATE TABLE keywords
There should be parenthesis after the table name
Here's an example: CREATE TABLE <table_name>();
Type CREATE TABLE courses(); into the psql prompt

100. CREATE TABLE majors_courses

100.1

The final table will be a junction table for the majors and courses. Create it with the name majors_courses.

HINTS

Use the CREATE TABLE keywords
There should be parenthesis after the table name
Here's an example: CREATE TABLE <table_name>();
Type CREATE TABLE majors_courses(); into the psql prompt

110. \d

110.1

Use the display shortcut command to view your tables to make sure your satisfied with them.

HINTS

It's the \d shortcut command
Type \d in the psql prompt

120. Create student_id Column

120.1

Onto the columns. The students.csv file has four fields, you will make a column for each of those as well as an ID column. Add a column to your students table named student_id. Give it a type of SERIAL so it automatically increments and make it a PRIMARY KEY

HINTS

Use the ALTER TABLE, ADD COLUMN, SERIAL and PRIMARY KEY keywords
Here's an example: ALTER TABLE <table_name> ADD COLUMN <column_name> <TYPE> <CONSTRAINTS>;
Type ALTER TABLE students ADD COLUMN student_id SERIAL PRIMARY KEY; into the psql prompt
You can drop a column with ALTER TABLE <table_name> DROP COLUMN <column_name>; if you want to delete a column and try again

130. Create first_name Column

130.1

The first column in students.csv is first_name. Add a column to the students table with that name. Make it a type of VARCHAR(50) and give it the NOT NULL constraint.

HINTS

Use the ALTER TABLE, ADD COLUMN, VARCHAR() and NOT NULL keywords
Here's an example: ALTER TABLE <table_name> ADD COLUMN <column_name> <DATA_TYPE> <CONSTRAINTS>;
Type ALTER TABLE students ADD COLUMN first_name VARCHAR(50) NOT NULL; into the psql prompt
You can drop a column with ALTER TABLE <table_name> DROP COLUMN <column_name>; if you want to delete a column and try again

140. Create last_name Column

140.1

The next column in the data is last_name. Add it to the students table. Give it the same data type and max-length as first_name and make sure it has the NOT NULL constraint.

HINTS

Use the ALTER TABLE, ADD COLUMN, VARCHAR() and NOT NULL keywords
The max-length should be 50
Here's an example: ALTER TABLE <table_name> ADD COLUMN <column_name> <DATA_TYPE> <CONSTRAINTS>;
Type ALTER TABLE students ADD COLUMN last_name VARCHAR(50) NOT NULL; into the psql prompt
You can drop a column with ALTER TABLE <table_name> DROP COLUMN <column_name>; if you want to delete a column and try again

143. Create major_id Column

143.1

The next column is for the major. Since you will have each major in another table this column will be a foreign key that references it. Create a column in the students table named major_id, give it a data type of INT for now. You will come back and set the foreign key later.

HINTS

Use the ALTER TABLE, ADD COLUMN, and INT keywords
Here's an example: ALTER TABLE <table_name> ADD COLUMN <column_name> <DATA_TYPE>;
Type ALTER TABLE students ADD COLUMN major_id INT; into the psql prompt
You can drop a column with ALTER TABLE <table_name> DROP COLUMN <column_name>; if you want to delete a column and try again

146. Create gpa Column

146.1

Create the last column, gpa. The data in the CSV shows that they are decimals with a length of 2 and 1 number is to the right of the decimal. So give it a data type of NUMERIC(2,1).

HINTS

Use the ALTER TABLE, ADD COLUMN, and NUMERIC() keywords
Here's an example: ALTER TABLE <table_name> ADD COLUMN <column_name> <DATA_TYPE>;
Type ALTER TABLE students ADD COLUMN gpa NUMERIC(2,1); into the psql prompt
You can drop a column with ALTER TABLE <table_name> DROP COLUMN <column_name>; if you want to delete a column and try again

150. \d students

150.1

Use the shortcut command to display the details of the students table to make sure you like it.

HINTS

It's the \d shortcut command
Add the table name after the command
Here's an example: \d <table_name>
Type \d students in the psql prompt

160. Create major_id Column

160.1

The foreign key is still missing. Let's fill in the majors table next. Add a major_id column to it. Make it a type of SERIAL and the PRIMARY KEY for this table.

HINTS

Use the ALTER TABLE, ADD COLUMN, SERIAL and PRIMARY KEY keywords
Here's an example: ALTER TABLE <table_name> ADD COLUMN <column_name> <TYPE> <CONSTRAINTS>;
Type ALTER TABLE majors ADD COLUMN major_id SERIAL PRIMARY KEY; into the psql prompt
You can drop a column with ALTER TABLE <table_name> DROP COLUMN <column_name>; if you want to delete a column and try again

170. Create major Column

170.1

This table will only have one other column for the name of the major. Add a column to it named major. Make it a VARCHAR with a max-length of 50 and give it the NOT NULL constraint.

HINTS

Use the ALTER TABLE, ADD COLUMN, VARCHAR() and NOT NULL keywords
The max-length of 50 should go in the parenthesis of VARCHAR
Here's an example: ALTER TABLE <table_name> ADD COLUMN <column_name> <DATA_TYPE> <CONSTRAINTS>;
Type ALTER TABLE majors ADD COLUMN major VARCHAR(50) NOT NULL; into the psql prompt
You can drop a column with ALTER TABLE <table_name> DROP COLUMN <column_name>; if you want to delete a column and try again

180. \d majors

180.1

View the details of the majors table to make sure you like it.

HINTS

Use the display shortcut command
Add the table name after the command
It's the \d command
Here's an example: \d <table_name>
Type \d majors into the psql prompt

183. Create major_id foreign key

183.1

This table looks good. Now, set the major_id column from the students table as a foreign key that references the major_id column from the majors table. Here's an example of how to do that: ALTER TABLE <table_name> ADD FOREIGN KEY(<column_name>) REFERENCES <referenced_table_name>(<referenced_column_name>);

HINTS

Type ALTER TABLE students ADD FOREIGN KEY(major_id) REFERENCES majors(major_id); in the psql prompt

187. \d students

187.1

View the details of the students table again to make sure the key is there.

HINTS

Use the display shortcut command
Add the table name after the command
It's the \d command
Here's an example: \d <table_name>
Type \d students into the psql prompt

190. Create course_id Column

190.1

Next, is the courses table. Add a course_id column to it. Give it a type of SERIAL and make it the primary key.

HINTS

Use the ALTER TABLE, ADD COLUMN, SERIAL and PRIMARY KEY keywords
Here's an example: ALTER TABLE <table_name> ADD COLUMN <column_name> <TYPE> <CONSTRAINTS>;
Type ALTER TABLE courses ADD COLUMN course_id SERIAL PRIMARY KEY; into the psql prompt
You can drop a column with ALTER TABLE <table_name> DROP COLUMN <column_name>; if you want to delete a column and try again

200. Create course Column

200.1

Add a course column to the courses table that's a type of VARCHAR. The course names are a little longer, so give them a max-length of 100. Also, make sure it can't accept null values.

HINTS

Use the ALTER TABLE, ADD COLUMN, VARCHAR() and NOT NULL keywords
The max-length of 100 should go in the parenthesis of VARCHAR
Here's an example: ALTER TABLE <table_name> ADD COLUMN <column_name> <DATA_TYPE> <CONSTRAINTS>;
Type ALTER TABLE courses ADD COLUMN course VARCHAR(100) NOT NULL; into the psql prompt
You can drop a column with ALTER TABLE <table_name> DROP COLUMN <column_name>; if you want to delete a column and try again

220. \d courses

220.1

View the details of the courses table to make sure it looks good.

HINTS

Use the display shortcut command
Add the table name after the command
It's the \d command
Here's an example: \d <table_name>
Type \d courses into the psql prompt

230. Create major_id column

230.1

One more table to go. The majors_courses junction table will have two columns, each referencing the primary key from two related table. First, add a major_id column to it. Just give it a type of INT for now.

HINTS

Use the ALTER TABLE, ADD COLUMN, and INT keywords
Here's an example: ALTER TABLE <table_name> ADD COLUMN <column_name> <DATA_TYPE>;
Type ALTER TABLE majors_courses ADD COLUMN major_id INT; into the psql prompt
You can drop a column with ALTER TABLE <table_name> DROP COLUMN <column_name>; if you want to delete a column and try again

240. Set major_id Foreign Key

240.1

Set the major_id column you just created as a foreign key that references the major_id column from the majors table.

HINTS

Use the ALTER TABLE, ADD FOREIGN KEY, and REFERENCES keywords
Here's an example: ALTER TABLE <table_name> ADD FOREIGN KEY(<column_name>) REFERENCES <referenced_table_name>(<referenced_column_name>);
You previously used: ALTER TABLE students ADD FOREIGN KEY(major_id) REFERENCES majors(major_id);
Type ALTER TABLE majors_courses ADD FOREIGN KEY(major_id) REFERENCES majors(major_id); into the psql prompt

250. Create course_id Column

250.1

Next, add a course_id column to the same table. Just give it a type of INT again for now.

HINTS

It goes in the majors_courses table
Use the ALTER TABLE, ADD COLUMN, and INT keywords
Here's an example: ALTER TABLE <table_name> ADD COLUMN <column_name> <DATA_TYPE>;
Type ALTER TABLE majors_courses ADD COLUMN course_id INT; into the psql prompt
You can drop a column with ALTER TABLE <table_name> DROP COLUMN <column_name>; if you want to delete a column and try again

260. Set course_id Foreign Key

260.1

Set your new course_id column as a foreign key that references the other course_id column.

HINTS

The referenced column is course_id from the courses table
Use the ALTER TABLE, ADD FOREIGN KEY, and REFERENCES keywords
Here's an example: ALTER TABLE <table_name> ADD FOREIGN KEY(<column_name>) REFERENCES <referenced_table_name>(<referenced_column_name>);
You previously used: ALTER TABLE students ADD FOREIGN KEY(major_id) REFERENCES majors(major_id);
Type ALTER TABLE majors_courses ADD FOREIGN KEY(course_id) REFERENCES courses(course_id); into the psql prompt

270. \d majors_courses

270.1

View the details of the table you just worked on to make sure the structure is finished.

HINTS

Use the display shortcut command
Add the table name after the command
It's the \d command
Here's an example: \d <table_name>
Type \d courses into the psql prompt

280. Create Composite Primary Key

280.1

There's one thing missing. This table doesn't have a primary key. The data from courses.csv will go in this table. A single major will be in it multiple times, and same with a course. So neither of them can be a primary key. But there will never be a row with the same two values as another row. So the two columns together, are unique. You can create a composite primary key that uses more than one column as a unique pair like this: ALTER TABLE <table_name> ADD PRIMARY KEY(<column_name>, <column_name>); Add a composite primary key to the table using the two columns.

HINTS

It's the major_id and course_id columns from the majors_courses table
Type ALTER TABLE majors_courses ADD PRIMARY KEY(major_id, course_id); into the psql prompt

290. \d majors_courses

290.1

View the details of the table again.

HINTS

Use the display shortcut command
Add the table name after the command
It's the \d command
Here's an example: \d <table_name>
Type \d courses into the psql prompt

300. \d

300.1

Okay, now it's finished. View all the tables you ended up with.

HINTS

Use the display shortcut command
Don't include a table name after the command
It's the \d command
Type \d into the psql prompt

310. \d majors

310.1

Next, you can start adding some info. Since the students table needs a major_id, you can add a major first. View the details of the majors table to see what info it expects.

HINTS

Use the display shortcut command
Add the table name after the command
It's the \d command
Here's an example: \d <table_name>
Type \d majors into the psql prompt

320. INSERT INTO majors

320.1

It only needs the name of a major. The ID will be added automatically. Add the first major from the courses.csv file into the majors table. It's a VARCHAR, so make sure to put the value in single quotes.

HINTS

The major is Database Administration
Use the INSERT INTO and VALUES keywords
Here's an example: INSERT INTO <table_name>(<column_name>) VALUES(<value>);
Type INSERT INTO majors(major) VALUES('Database Administration');

340. SELECT * FROM majors

340.1

Use SELECT to view all the data in the majors table to make sure it got inserted correctly.

HINTS

Use the SELECT and FROM keywords with * to view all the columns
Here's an example: SELECT <columns> FROM <table_name>;
Type SELECT * FROM majors; into the psql prompt

350. INSERT INTO courses

350.1

Next, insert the first course from courses.csv into the courses table.

HINTS

Use the INSERT INTO and VALUES keywords
View the details of the table with \d courses to see what it expects
The course name is Data Structures and Algorithms
Make sure to put VARCHAR values in single quotes
Here's an example: INSERT INTO <table_name>(<column_name>) VALUES(<value>);
Type INSERT INTO courses(course) VALUES('Data Structures and Algorithms');

360. SELECT * FROM courses

360.1

View all the data in the courses table to make sure it got added.

HINTS

Use the SELECT and FROM keywords with * to view all the columns
Here's an example: SELECT <columns> FROM <table_name>;
Type SELECT * FROM courses; into the psql prompt

370. \d majors_courses

370.1

Next, you can add a row into the junction table. View the details of it to see what it expects.

HINTS

It's the majors_courses table
Use the display shortcut command
Add the table name after the command
It's the \d command
Here's an example: \d <table_name>
Type \d majors_courses into the psql prompt

380. INSERT INTO majors_courses

380.1

It wants a major_id and course_id. Add a row to majors_courses for the first entry in courses.csv.

HINTS

Use SELECT * FROM <table_name>; to find the two ID's you already added
Use the INSERT INTO and VALUES keywords
Here's an example: INSERT INTO <table_name>(<column_1_name>, <column_2_name>) VALUES(<value_1>, <value_2>);
Type INSERT INTO majors_courses(major_id, course_id) VALUES(1, 1); Note that your ID's may differ. You can reset the lesson to ensure they are the same

390. SELECT * FROM majors_courses

390.1

View all the data in the table you just added to.

HINTS

Use the SELECT and FROM keywords with * to view all the columns
Here's an example: SELECT <columns> FROM <table_name>;
Type SELECT * FROM majors_courses; into the psql prompt

400. \d students

400.1

Looks like the row got added. View the details of the students table to remind yourself what it expects so you can add the first student to the database.

HINTS

Use the display shortcut command
Add the table name after the command
It's the \d command
Here's an example: \d <table_name>
Type \d students into the psql prompt

420. INSERT INTO students

420.1

The output shows what the table needs. Insert the first person from students.csv into the students table.

HINTS

Enter SELECT * FROM majors; to find the major_id for the students major
Use the INSERT INTO and VALUES keywords
Make sure to put VARCHAR values in single quotes
Here's an example: INSERT INTO <table_name>(<column_1_name>, <column_N_name>) VALUES(<value_1>, <value_N>);
The first part to insert the student looks like this: INSERT INTO students(first_name, last_name, major_id, gpa)
Type INSERT INTO students(first_name, last_name, major_id, gpa) VALUES('Rhea', 'Kellems', 1, 2.5); into the psql prompt

430. SELECT * FROM students

430.1

Looks like it worked. View all the data in the students table to make sure.

HINTS

Use the SELECT and FROM keywords with * to view all the columns
Here's an example: SELECT <columns> FROM <table_name>;
Type SELECT * FROM students; into the psql prompt

440. touch insert_data.sh

440.1

Okay, you added a row into each table. It might be wise to review the data and the database structure. Adding the rest of the info one at a time would be tedious. You are going to make a script to do it for you. I recommend "splitting" the terminal for this part. You can do that by clicking the "hamburger" menu at the top left of the window, going to the "Terminal" menu, and clicking "Split Terminal". Once you've done that, use the touch command to create a file named insert_data.sh in your project folder.

HINTS

You cannot use regular terminal commands in the psql prompt. So follow the instructions to split the terminal. Then, type touch insert_data.sh in the new terminal and press enter
Make sure you are in the project folder first
You can get there by entering cd ~/project in the terminal

450. chmod +x insert_data.sh

450.1

You should have two terminals open. One connected to PostgreSQL, and one for entering terminal commands. In the one for terminal commands, use the chmod command with the +x flag to give you new script executable permissions.

HINTS

Here's an example: chmod +x <filename>
Type chmod +x insert_data.sh in the terminal and press enter
Make sure it's the regular terminal and not the psql one
You can log back in to psql with psql --username=freecodecamp --dbname=students

460. Add shebang

460.1

Open your new file and add a "shebang" that uses bash at the top. It looks like this: #!/bin/bash.

HINTS

Add the text, #!/bin/bash to your insert_data.sh file

470. Add comment

470.1

Below that, add a single line comment with the text, Script to insert data from courses.csv and students.csv into students database.

HINTS

A comment look like this: # <comment>
Add # Script to insert data from courses.csv and students.csv into students database below the "shebang" in your insert_data.sh file

480. Add cat courses.csv

480.1

First, you should add all the info from the courses.csv file since you need the major_id for inserting the student info. cat is a terminal command for printing the contents of a file. Here's an example: cat <filename>. Below the comment you added, use it to print courses.csv.

HINTS

Add cat courses.csv to your insert_data.sh file below your comment

490. ./insert_data.sh

490.1

Run your script to see if the file contents get printed.

HINTS

Run your insert_data.sh script by executing it
Type ./insert_data.sh in the terminal and press enter
Make sure you are in the project folder first

500. Add while read

500.1

It worked. Instead of printing the content, you can pipe that output into a while loop so you can go through the rows one at a time. It looks like this:

cat courses.csv | while read MAJOR COURSE
do
  <STATEMENTS>
done

Each new line will be read into the variables, MAJOR and COURSE. Add the above to your cat command. In the STATEMENTS area, use echo to print the MAJOR variable.

HINTS

You can print the suggested variable with echo $MAJOR
The whole loop should look like this:

cat courses.csv | while read MAJOR COURSE
do
  echo $MAJOR
done

510. ./insert_data

510.1

Run the script to see if it worked.

HINTS

Run your insert_data.sh script by executing it
Type ./insert_data.sh in the terminal and press enter
Make sure you are in the project folder first

515. declare -p IFS

515.1

It's looping, but the MAJOR variable is only being set to the first word. There's a default IFS variable in bash. IFS stands for "Internal Field Separator". View it with declare -p IFS.

HINTS

Enter declare -p IFS in the terminal

520. Add IFS

520.1

This variable is used to determine word boundaries. It defaults to spaces, tabs, and new lines. This is why the MAJOR variable was set to only the first word on each line from the data. Between the while and read commands, set the IFS to a comma like this: IFS=","

HINTS

Here's how it looks:

cat courses.csv | while IFS="," read MAJOR COURSE
do
  echo $MAJOR
done

530. ./insert_data.sh

530.1

Now, it should use the comma in the data to separate words instead of spaces. Run the script again to see if it's working.

HINTS

Run your insert_data.sh script by executing it
Type ./insert_data.sh in the terminal and press enter
Make sure you are in the project folder first

533. Add echo all variables

533.1

Looks like that worked. It prints the whole major, including the space. Print the COURSE variable on the same line as where you print MAJOR to make sure it's all working.

HINTS

Change the echo line to echo $MAJOR $COURSE
The whole loop should look like this:

cat courses.csv | while IFS="," read MAJOR COURSE
do
  echo $MAJOR $COURSE
done

536. ./insert_data.sh

536.1

Run the script again to check.

HINTS

Run your insert_data.sh script by executing it
Type ./insert_data.sh in the terminal and press enter
Make sure you are in the project folder first

540. Delete echo

540.1

Okay, your loop is working. You can use the MAJOR and COURSE variables to access the major or course when you need to insert data or query the database. Delete the echo line so you can figure out what to do next.

HINTS

Delete the echo $MAJOR $COURSE line

550. Add comments

550.1

It helps to plan out what you want to happen. For each loop, you will want to add the major to the database if it isn't in there yet. Same for the course. Then add a row to the majors_courses table. Add these single line comments in your loop in this order: get major_id, if not found, insert major, get new major_id, get course_id, if not found, insert course, get new course_id, insert into majors_courses.

HINTS

Here's an example of a single comment: # <comment>
Add the nine suggested single line comments, each on their own line, in the order given
It should look like this:

do
  # get major_id

  # if not found

  # insert major

  # get new major_id

  # get course_id

  # if not found

  # insert course

  # get new course_id

  # insert into majors_courses

done

560. Add PSQL Variable

560.1

You used the psql command to log in and interact with the database. You can use it to just run a single command and exit. Above your loop, add a PSQL variable that looks like this: PSQL="psql -X --username=freecodecamp --dbname=students --no-align --tuples-only -c". This will allow you to query your database from your script. The important parts are the username, dbname, and the -c flag that is for running a single command and exiting. The rest of the flags are for formatting.

HINTS

Add the suggested variable between your first comment and the loop
The suggested area should look like this:

PSQL="psql -X --username=freecodecamp --dbname=students --no-align --tuples-only -c"

562. Add MAJOR_ID

562.1

Now, you can query your database using the PSQL variable like this: $($PSQL "<query_here>"). The code in the parenthesis will run in a subshell, which is a separate bash process. Below the get major_id comment in your loop, create a MAJOR_ID variable. Set it equal to the result of a query that gets the major_id of the current MAJOR in the loop. Make sure to put your MAJOR variable in single quotes.

HINTS

Here's an example of how it looks: MAJOR_ID=$($PSQL "<query_here>")
For the query, you want to use the SELECT, FROM, and WHERE keywords
Here's an example of how the query part looks: SELECT <column_name> FROM <table_name> WHERE <condition>
The condition you want is major='$MAJOR'
Here's how the query should look: SELECT major_id FROM majors WHERE major='$MAJOR'
Here's how the whole line should look: MAJOR_ID=$($PSQL "SELECT major_id FROM majors WHERE major='$MAJOR'")

564. Add echo MAJOR_ID

564.1

Below the variable you just created, use echo to print it so you can see it's value when you run the script.

HINTS

Add echo $MAJOR_ID below the MAJOR_ID variable you created

566. ./insert_data.sh

566.1

Run the script to see what happens.

HINTS

Run your insert_data.sh script by executing it
Type ./insert_data.sh in the terminal and press enter
Make sure you are in the project folder first

568. Add if -z MAJOR_ID

568.1

So it went through each major from the CSV file and tried to find major_id for each one from the database. Looks like it only found the one you manually inserted earlier. The rest were empty. Below your first if not found comment, add an if condition that checks if the MAJOR_ID variable is empty. You can do that with this test: [[ -z $MAJOR_ID ]]. Place the next two comments in the statements area of the if.

HINTS

Here's an example of an if:

if CONDITION
then
  STATEMENTS
fi

Make sure your insert major and get new major_id comments are in the statements area in that order
Here's how it should look:

if [[ -z $MAJOR_ID ]]
then
  # insert major

  # get new major_id

fi

570. Add INSERT_MAJOR_RESULT

570.1

The loop will go into this if whenever a major isn't found. Here, you will want to insert the major and then get the new id. You will need the ID for inserting data into the majors_courses table later. Below your insert major comment, create an INSERT_MAJOR_RESULT variable. Set it's value to a query that inserts the current major into the database. Don't forget to use single quotes around the value.

HINTS

Here's an example of how to query the database: INSERT_MAJOR_RESULT=$($PSQL "<query_here>")
For the query, you want to use the INSERT INTO, and VALUES keywords
Here's an example of how the query part looks: INSERT INTO <table_name>(<column_name>) VALUES(<value>)
You want to insert the $MAJOR value
Here's how the query looks: INSERT INTO majors(major) VALUES('$MAJOR')
Here's how the whole line should look: INSERT_MAJOR_RESULT=$($PSQL "INSERT INTO majors(major) VALUES('$MAJOR')")

580. Add echo INSERT_MAJOR_RESULT

580.1

Below the variable you just created, use echo to print it.

HINTS

Add echo $INSERT_MAJOR_RESULT right below where you created it

590. cp courses.csv

590.1

Instead of running through all the data in the CSV file, you should make some test data. In the terminal, use the copy (cp) command to copy the courses.csv into a new file named courses_test.csv.

HINTS

Here's an example: cp <filename> <new_name>
Type cp courses.csv courses_test.csv in the terminal and press enter
Make sure you are using the bash terminal and not the psql one

600. Add four records to courses_test.csv

600.1

In your new file, remove all the data except for the first five lines. Make sure there's a single empty line at the bottom.

HINTS

Remove all but the first five lines from the courses_test.csv file
Or, replace everything in courses_test.csv with the first five lines from courses.csv
Make sure there's one empty line at the bottom
The courses_test.csv file should look like this:

major,course
Database Administration,Data Structures and Algorithms
Web Development,Web Programming
Database Administration,Database Systems
Data Science,Data Structures and Algorithms

610. Change to cat courses_test.csv

610.1

Back in the insert_data.sh script, change your cat command to loop through the test file instead of the full one.

HINTS

Change your cat command to cat courses_test.csv instead of cat courses.csv
The suggested line should look like this:

cat courses_test.csv | while IFS="," read MAJOR COURSE

620. ./insert_data.sh

620.1

Run the script. It will go through the test data and insert a major into the database each time it doesn't find one already there and print the MAJOR_ID and INSERT_MAJOR_RESULT variables.

HINTS

Run your insert_data.sh script by executing it
Type ./insert_data.sh in the terminal and press enter
The majors table should have four rows after running the script. If it doesn't, there might be something wrong in the script. You can use the reset button to reset the lesson and run the script again

625. Delete echo MAJOR_ID

625.1

Looks like it found an ID that was already in the database twice and inserted three new items into the database. You don't need to print the ID anymore so delete the echo $MAJOR_ID line.

HINTS

Delete the echo $MAJOR_ID line

630. SELECT * FROM majors

630.1

In the psql prompt, use SELECT to view all the data from the majors table to see what the script added.

HINTS

Use the SELECT and FROM keywords with * to view all the data
Enter SELECT * FROM majors; in the psql prompt
Enter psql --username=freecodecamp --dbname=students in the terminal to log into the psql prompt if you aren't already

640. TRUNCATE majors

640.1

I forgot you inserted Database Administration earlier. The script ran and inserted major from the top line of the file. Then it added the other two that weren't already in there. You can use TRUNCATE to delete all data from a table. In the psql prompt, try to delete all the data in the majors table by entering TRUNCATE majors;

HINTS

Enter TRUNCATE majors; in the psql prompt
Enter psql --username=freecodecamp --dbname=students in the terminal to log into the psql prompt if you aren't already

660. TRUNCATE majors, students, majors_courses

660.1

It says you "cannot truncate a table referenced in a foreign key constraint." The students and majors_courses tables use the major_id from majors as a foreign key. So if you want to delete the data from majors, you need to delete the data from those two tables at the same time. Use TRUNCATE to delete the data from those three tables. Separate the tables with commas.

HINTS

Here's an example: TRUNCATE <table_1>, <table_2>, <table_3>;
The three tables you want are majors, students, and majors_courses
Enter TRUNCATE majors, students, majors_courses; in the psql prompt

670. SELECT * FROM majors

670.1

View all the data in the majors table to make sure it's empty.

HINTS

Use the SELECT and FROM keywords with * to view all the data
Enter SELECT * FROM majors; in the psql prompt
Enter psql --username=freecodecamp --dbname=students in the terminal to log into the psql prompt if you aren't already

680. SELECT * FROM majors_courses

680.1

Looks like it worked. View all the data in the majors_courses table to see if that one is empty.

HINTS

Use the SELECT and FROM keywords with * to view all the data
Enter SELECT * FROM majors_courses; in the psql prompt
Enter psql --username=freecodecamp --dbname=students in the terminal to log into the psql prompt if you aren't already

690. SELECT * FROM students

690.1

It is, check the students table.

HINTS

Use the SELECT and FROM keywords with * to view all the data
Enter SELECT * FROM students; in the psql prompt
Enter psql --username=freecodecamp --dbname=students in the terminal to log into the psql prompt if you aren't already

700. SELECT * FROM courses

700.1

Last, check the courses table.

HINTS

Use the SELECT and FROM keywords with * to view all the data
Enter SELECT * FROM courses; in the psql prompt
Enter psql --username=freecodecamp --dbname=students in the terminal to log into the psql prompt if you aren't already

710. TRUNCATE courses, majors_courses

710.1

There should still be one entry in there. Use TRUNCATE to delete all the data from the courses table. You will need to truncate any tables that use a column from it as a foreign key at the same time.

HINTS

Here's an example: TRUNCATE <table_1>, <table_2>;
The tables you want are courses, and majors_courses
Enter TRUNCATE courses, majors_courses; in the psql prompt

720. SELECT * FROM courses

720.1

View all the data in the courses table again.

HINTS

Use the SELECT and FROM keywords with * to view all the data
Enter SELECT * FROM courses; in the psql prompt
Enter psql --username=freecodecamp --dbname=students in the terminal to log into the psql prompt if you aren't already

730. ./insert_data.sh

730.1

Now the database is completely empty. Run the script again to see what gets inserted when the database is empty.

HINTS

Run your insert_data.sh script by executing it
Type ./insert_data.sh in the terminal and press enter
The majors table should have four rows after running the script. If it doesn't, there might be something wrong in the script. You can use the reset button to reset the lesson and run the script again

740. SELECT * FROM majors

740.1

It inserted four that time. In the psql prompt, view all the data in the majors table.

HINTS

Use the SELECT and FROM keywords with * to view all the data
Enter SELECT * FROM majors; in the psql prompt
Enter psql --username=freecodecamp --dbname=students in the terminal to log into the psql prompt if you aren't already

750. Add if major

750.1

You won't want to add the first line from the CSV file to the database since those are just titles. In your script, add an if condition at the top of your loop that checks if $MAJOR != major. Put all the existing code and comments in your loop in it's statements area so it only does any of it if it's not the first line.

HINTS

Here's an example of an if:

if [[ CONDITION ]]
then
  STATEMENTS
fi

Your loop area should look like this:

do
  if [[ $MAJOR != major ]]
  then
    # get major_id
    MAJOR_ID=$($PSQL "SELECT major_id FROM majors WHERE major='$MAJOR'")

    # if not found
    if [[ -z $MAJOR_ID ]]
    then
      # insert major
      INSERT_MAJOR_RESULT=$($PSQL "INSERT INTO majors(major) VALUES('$MAJOR')")
      echo $INSERT_MAJOR_RESULT

      # get new major_id

    fi

    # get course_id

    # if not found

    # insert course

    # get new course_id

    # insert into majors_courses

  fi
done

760. TRUNCATE majors CASCADE

760.1

In the psql prompt, use TRUNCATE to delete all the data in the majors table.

HINTS

Make sure to delete data in the tables that use any of the majors columns as a foreign key at the same time
Here's an example: TRUNCATE <table_1>, <table_2>;
You need to truncate majors, students, and majors_courses together
Enter TRUNCATE majors, students, majors_courses; in the psql prompt
Enter psql --username=freecodecamp --dbname=students in the terminal to log into the psql prompt if you aren't already

770. SELECT * FROM majors

770.1

View all the data in majors table to make sure it's empty.

HINTS

Use the SELECT and FROM keywords with * to view all the data
Enter SELECT * FROM majors; in the psql prompt
Enter psql --username=freecodecamp --dbname=students in the terminal to log into the psql prompt if you aren't already

780. ./insert_data.sh

780.1

Run the script to make sure it's not adding the first line anymore.

HINTS

Run your insert_data.sh script by executing it
Type ./insert_data.sh in the terminal and press enter
The majors table should have three rows after running the script. If it doesn't, there might be something wrong in the script. You can use the reset button to reset the lesson and run the script again

790. SELECT * FROM majors

790.1

It only showed three inserts, that's a good sign. View all the data in majors table to make sure it's three you want.

HINTS

Use the SELECT and FROM keywords with * to view all the data
Enter SELECT * FROM majors; in the psql prompt
Enter psql --username=freecodecamp --dbname=students in the terminal to log into the psql prompt if you aren't already

800. Delete echo INSERT_MAJOR_RESULT

800.1

There's three unique majors in your test data. Those were the three added to the database, so it looks like it's working. Delete the line where you print INSERT_MAJOR_RESULT.

HINTS

Delete the echo $INSERT_MAJOR_RESULT line

810. Add if INSERT_MAJOR_RESULT

810.1

You want a nicer message when something get's inserted so it's more informative. Below your INSERT_MAJOR_RESULT variable, add an if statement that checks if the variable is equal to INSERT 0 1, which was what it was printing. Use echo to print Inserted into majors, $MAJOR in the statements area of the if.

HINTS

Make sure to put the test value (INSERT 0 1) in double quotes since it has spaces.
The condition you want is: [[ $INSERT_MAJOR_RESULT == "INSERT 0 1" ]]
The echo part looks like this: echo "Inserted into majors, $MAJOR"
The whole thing should look like this:

if [[ $INSERT_MAJOR_RESULT == "INSERT 0 1" ]]
then
  echo "Inserted into majors, $MAJOR"
fi

820. TRUNCATE majors CASCADE

820.1

In the psql prompt, truncate the majors table again so you can run the script and see the output.

HINTS

Here's an example: TRUNCATE <table_1>, <table_2>;
Make sure to delete data in the tables that use any of the majors columns as a foreign key at the same time
You need to truncate majors, students, and majors_courses together
Enter TRUNCATE majors, students, majors_courses; in the psql prompt
Enter psql --username=freecodecamp --dbname=students in the terminal to log into the psql prompt if you aren't already

830. ./insert_data.sh

830.1

Check to make sure the table is empty. Then, run the script.

HINTS

Run your insert_data.sh script by executing it
Type ./insert_data.sh in the terminal and press enter
The majors table should have three rows after running the script. If it doesn't, there might be something wrong in the script. You can use the reset button to reset the lesson and run the script again

835. Add MAJOR_ID

835.1

It's starting to come together. Below your get new major_id comment, set the MAJOR_ID variable to a query that gets the new major_id from the database.

HINTS

Here's an example of how to query the database: MAJOR_ID=$($PSQL "<query_here>")
For the query, you want to use the SELECT, FROM, and WHERE keywords
Here's an example of how the query part looks: SELECT <column_name> FROM <table_name> WHERE <condition>
The condition you want is major='$MAJOR'
Here's how the query should look: SELECT major_id FROM majors WHERE major='$MAJOR'
Here's how the whole line should look: MAJOR_ID=$($PSQL "SELECT major_id FROM majors WHERE major='$MAJOR'")
Make sure it's in the if [[ -z $MAJOR_ID ]] statements area

840. Add COURSE_ID

840.1

So the script will insert the majors correctly. Next are the courses. It will be the same steps as for the majors. Below your get course_id comment, add a COURSE_ID variable that gets the course_id from the database. Remember that your COURSE variable will have the current course in the loop.

HINTS

Here's an example of how to query the database: COURSE_ID=$($PSQL "<query_here>")
For the query, you want to use the SELECT, FROM, and WHERE keywords
Here's an example of how the query part looks: SELECT <column_name> FROM <table_name> WHERE <condition>
The condition you want is course_id='$COURSE'
Here's how the query should look: SELECT course_id FROM courses WHERE course='$COURSE'
Here's how the whole line should look: COURSE_ID=$($PSQL "SELECT course_id FROM courses WHERE course='$COURSE'")

850. Add if -z COURSE_ID

850.1

It's the same as the majors, so below the second if not found comment, add an if statement that checks if the query was empty so you can insert the course if needed. Place the existing insert course and get new course_id comments in the statements area of the if.

HINTS

Here's an example of an if:

if [[ CONDITION ]]
then
  STATEMENTS
fi

Make sure your insert course and get new course_id comments are in the statements area in that order
Here's how it should look:

if [[ -z $COURSE_ID ]]
then
  # insert course

  # get new course_id

fi

853. Add INSERT_COURSE_RESULT

853.1

Below the insert course comment, create an INSERT_COURSE_RESULT variable that inserts the course into the database.

HINTS

Check the table structure in the psql prompt with \d courses if you need to see the columns
Here's an example of how to query the database: INSERT_COURSE_RESULT=$($PSQL "<query_here>")
For the query, you want to use the INSERT INTO, and VALUES keywords
Here's an example of how the query part looks: INSERT INTO <table_name>(<column_name>) VALUES(<value>)
You want to insert the $COURSE value
Here's how the query looks: INSERT INTO courses(course) VALUES('$COURSE')
Here's how the whole line should look: INSERT_COURSE_RESULT=$($PSQL "INSERT INTO courses(course) VALUES('$COURSE')")

857. Add if INSERT_COURSE_RESULT

857.1

The variable should be INSERT 0 1 again if something gets inserted. Below the variable you just created, add an if condition that checks if it is and print Inserted into courses, $COURSE using echo in it's statements area.

HINTS

The condition you want is: [[ $INSERT_COURSE_RESULT == "INSERT 0 1" ]]
The echo part looks like this: echo "Inserted into courses, $COURSE"
The whole thing should look like this:

if [[ $INSERT_COURSE_RESULT == "INSERT 0 1" ]]
then
  echo "Inserted into courses, $COURSE"
fi

860. TRUNCATE majors CASCADE

860.1

In the psql prompt, truncate the data from the majors table so you can run the script again.

HINTS

Here's an example: TRUNCATE <table_1>, <table_2>;
Make sure to delete data in the tables that use any of the majors columns as a foreign key at the same time
You need to truncate majors, students, and majors_courses together
Enter TRUNCATE majors, students, majors_courses; in the psql prompt
Enter psql --username=freecodecamp --dbname=students in the terminal to log into the psql prompt if you aren't already

870. ./insert_data.sh

870.1

Run the script to see if the courses get inserted into the database.

HINTS

Run your insert_data.sh script by executing it
Type ./insert_data.sh in the terminal and press enter
The majors and courses tables should have three rows each after running the script. If they don't, there might be something wrong in the script. You can use the reset button to reset the lesson and run the script again

877. SELECT * FROM courses

877.1

It looks like it worked. The test data has three unique courses, and three got added to the database. View the data in the courses table to make sure they are correct.

HINTS

Use the SELECT and FROM keywords with * to view all the data
Enter SELECT * FROM courses; in the psql prompt
Enter psql --username=freecodecamp --dbname=students in the terminal to log into the psql prompt if you aren't already

880. Add echo TRUNCATE tables

880.1

Excellent. Instead of manually deleting the data each time you want to run the script, add the command to do it for you. Near the top of the file below your PSQL variable, use echo to query the database. In the query, truncate your four tables in this order: students, majors, courses, majors_courses.

HINTS

Here's an example: echo $($PSQL "<query_here>")
The query you want looks like this: TRUNCATE students, majors, courses, majors_courses
The whole line should look like this: echo $($PSQL "TRUNCATE students, majors, courses, majors_courses")

890. ./insert_data.sh

890.1

Run the script to see if it works.

HINTS

Run your insert_data.sh script by executing it
Type ./insert_data.sh in the terminal and press enter
The majors and courses tables should have three rows each after running the script. If they don't, there might be something wrong in the script. You can use the reset button to reset the lesson and run the script again

900. Add COURSE_ID

900.1

Awesome. That makes it easier. Below your get new course_id comment, set the COURSE_ID to the newly inserted course_id.

HINTS

Here's an example: COURSE_ID=$($PSQL "<query_here>")
For the query, you want to use the SELECT, FROM, and WHERE keywords
Here's an example of how the query part looks: SELECT <column_name> FROM <table_name> WHERE <condition>
The condition you want is course_id='$COURSE'
Here's how the query should look: SELECT course_id FROM courses WHERE course='$COURSE'
Here's how the whole line should look: COURSE_ID=$($PSQL "SELECT course_id FROM courses WHERE course='$COURSE'")
Make sure it's in the if [[ -z $COURSE_ID ]] statements area

910. Add INSERT_MAJORS_COURSES_RESULT

910.1

One more thing to add for this file. Below the insert into majors_courses courses comment, create a INSERT_MAJORS_COURSES_RESULT variable. Use it and the MAJOR_ID and COURSE_ID variables you created to insert a row into the majors_courses table. Make sure the query has the major_id column first. Also, you won't need any quotes around the values for the ID's.

HINTS

Here's an example: INSERT_MAJORS_COURSES_RESULT=$($PSQL "<query_here>")
For the query, you want to use the INSERT INTO, and VALUES keywords
Here's an example of how the query part looks: INSERT INTO <table_name>(<column_name>) VALUES(<value>)
Check the table structure in the psql prompt with \d majors_courses if you need to see the columns
You want to add values for the major_id and course_id columns
The query you want is: INSERT INTO majors_courses(major_id, course_id) VALUES($MAJOR_ID, $COURSE_ID)
Here's how the whole line should look: INSERT_MAJORS_COURSES_RESULT=$($PSQL "INSERT INTO majors_courses(major_id, course_id) VALUES($MAJOR_ID, $COURSE_ID)")

920. Add if INSERT_MAJORS_COURSES_RESULT

920.1

Below the variable you just created, add an if condition that checks if it's equal to INSERT 0 1 like the others. In it's statements area, use echo to print Inserted into majors_courses, $MAJOR : $COURSE.

HINTS

The condition you want is: [[ $INSERT_MAJORS_COURSES_RESULT == "INSERT 0 1" ]]
The echo part looks like this: echo "Inserted into majors_courses, $MAJOR : $COURSE"
The whole thing should look like this:

if [[ $INSERT_MAJORS_COURSES_RESULT == "INSERT 0 1" ]]
then
  echo "Inserted into majors_courses, $MAJOR : $COURSE"
fi

930. ./insert_data.sh

930.1

Run the script. Your tables should get truncated and then it should go through the loop and add all the data from the courses_test.csv into the three tables of the database.

HINTS

Run your insert_data.sh script by executing it
Type ./insert_data.sh in the terminal and press enter
After running the script, the majors and courses tables should have three rows each, and the majors_courses table should have four. If they don't, there might be something wrong in the script. You can use the reset button to reset the lesson and run the script again

950. SELECT * FROM majors

950.1

Looks like it works. You better look around to make sure. View the data in the majors table.

HINTS

Use the psql prompt
Use the SELECT and FROM keywords with * to view all the data in the majors table
Enter SELECT * FROM majors; in the psql prompt
Enter psql --username=freecodecamp --dbname=students in the terminal to log into the psql prompt if you aren't already

960. SELECT * FROM courses

960.1

Cool, check the courses table.

HINTS

Use the psql prompt
Use the SELECT and FROM keywords with * to view all the data in the courses table
Enter SELECT * FROM courses; in the psql prompt
Enter psql --username=freecodecamp --dbname=students in the terminal to log into the psql prompt if you aren't already

965. SELECT * FROM majors_courses

965.1

Lastly, view the data in the majors_courses table. There should be four rows.

HINTS

Use the psql prompt
Use the SELECT and FROM keywords with * to view all the data
Enter SELECT * FROM majors_courses; in the psql prompt
Enter psql --username=freecodecamp --dbname=students in the terminal to log into the psql prompt if you aren't already

970. cp students.csv

970.1

Alright, that part of the script is done. Next, you need to add everything from the students.csv file. Make some test data again. In the terminal, use the copy command to copy students.csv into a file named students_test.csv.

HINTS

cp is the copy command
Here's an example: cp <filename> <new_name>
Enter cp students.csv students_test.csv in the terminal

975. Remove all but fours lines

975.1

In the students_test.csv file, remove everything but the first five lines like you did for the other test file. Make sure there's an empty line at the bottom again.

HINTS

Remove all but the first five lines from the students_test.csv file
Or, replace everything in students_test.csv with the first five lines from students.csv
Make sure there's one empty line at the bottom
The students_test.csv file should look like this:

first_name,last_name,major,gpa
Rhea,Kellems,Database Administration,2.5
Emma,Gilbert,null,null
Kimberly,Whitley,Web Development,3.8
Jimmy,Felipe,Database Administration,3.7

980. Add cat students_test.csv

980.1

You want to loop through all this info like you did for the other CSV file. The process is the same. Below your existing loop, use cat to print your new test file. Pipe the results into a while loop, setting the IFS to a comma again, and then use read to create FIRST, LAST, MAJOR and GPA variables from the data. In the loop, use echo to print the FIRST variable.

HINTS

It should look real similar to your other loop like this
Here's an example:

cat <filename> | while IFS="," read VARIABLE_1 VARIABLE_2 VARIABLE_3 VARIABLE_4
do
  STATEMENTS
done

Here's how it looks:

cat students_test.csv | while IFS="," read FIRST LAST MAJOR GPA
do
  echo $FIRST
done

985. ./insert_data.sh

985.1

Run the script to see if it prints the FIRST (first_name) variable correctly. It will take a second since it has to go through the first loop.

HINTS

Run your insert_data.sh script by executing it
Type ./insert_data.sh in the terminal and press enter
After running the script, the majors and courses tables should have three rows each, and the majors_courses table should have four. If they don't, there might be something wrong in the script. You can use the reset button to reset the lesson and run the script again

1020. Delete echo all variables

1020.1

It works 😅 It printed the first item in each row of the CSV file. It's printing the first line again, you will have to take care of that. First, delete the echo line.

HINTS

Delete the echo $FIRST line

1022. Add if first_name

1022.1

Add an if condition to the loop that checks if the FIRST variable is not equal to first_name so it doesn't do anything for the first line of the file. Don't put anything in the statements area for now.

HINTS

Here's an example of an if:

if [[ CONDITION ]]
then
  STATEMENTS
fi

The condition you want is [[ $FIRST != "first_name" ]]
Your second loop should look like this:

cat students_test.csv | while IFS="," read FIRST LAST MAJOR GPA
do
  if [[ $FIRST != "first_name" ]]
  then

  fi
done

1025. Add comments

1025.1

All the columns in the CSV file can be inserted directly into the database except for the major. You will need to get the major_id again for that. There's some null values in there as well, so you will need to use null if the major_id isn't found. Add four single line comments in your loop; get major_id, if not found, set to null, and insert student in that order.

HINTS

Here's an example of a single comment: # <comment>
Add the four suggested single line comments, each on their own line, in the order given in the if part of your new loop
It should look like this:

cat students_test.csv | while IFS="," read FIRST LAST MAJOR GPA
do
  if [[ $FIRST != "first_name" ]]
  then
    # get major_id

    # if not found

    # set to null

    # insert student

  fi
done

1030. Add MAJOR_ID

1030.1

Below the new get major_id comment, set the MAJOR_ID variable to a query that gets the major_id for the current students major.

HINTS

Here's an example of how it looks: MAJOR_ID=$($PSQL "<query_here>")
For the query, you want to use the SELECT, FROM, and WHERE keywords
Here's an example of how the query part looks: SELECT <column_name> FROM <table_name> WHERE <condition>
The condition you want is major_id='$MAJOR'
Here's how the query should look: SELECT major_id FROM majors WHERE major='$MAJOR'
Here's how the whole line should look: MAJOR_ID=$($PSQL "SELECT major_id FROM majors WHERE major='$MAJOR'")

1033. Add echo MAJOR_ID

1033.1

Below that, use echo to print the variable so you can see if it's working.

HINTS

Add echo $MAJOR_ID below the MAJOR_ID variable you just created

1037. ./insert_data.sh

1037.1

Run the script to see what happens.

HINTS

Run your insert_data.sh script by executing it
Type ./insert_data.sh in the terminal and press enter
After running the script, the majors and courses tables should have three rows each, and the majors_courses table should have four. If they don't, there might be something wrong in the script. You can use the reset button to reset the lesson and run the script again

1047. Add if -z MAJOR_ID

1047.1

Looking at the test data, it found the ID for all of it except the null value. Below the newest if not found comment, add an if that checks if the variable is empty. Put the set to null comment in its statements area.

HINTS

It looks similar to the if condition in your first loop
The condition you want is [[ -z $MAJOR_ID ]]
Make sure the set to null comment is in the statements area
It should look like this:

if [[ -z $MAJOR_ID ]]
then
  # set to null

fi

1048. Set MAJOR_ID to null

1048.1

When you go to insert the student data, you want to use the MAJOR_ID if it's found, or null if not. Below the set to null comment, set the MAJOR_ID variable to null so you can use it to insert the data.

HINTS

It should look like this:

if [[ -z $MAJOR_ID ]]
then
  # set to null
  MAJOR_ID=null
fi

1049. move echo MAJOR_ID

1049.1

Move the echo $MAJOR_ID line to below the if statement so you can run the script and see the value of the variable if the major_id is or isn't found.

HINTS

Move the suggested line below the closing fi of the if [[ -z $MAJOR_ID ]] statement

1050. ./insert_data.sh

1050.1

Run the script.

HINTS

Run your insert_data.sh script by executing it
Type ./insert_data.sh in the terminal and press enter
After running the script, the majors and courses tables should have three rows each, and the majors_courses table should have four. If they don't, there might be something wrong in the script. You can use the reset button to reset the lesson and run the script again

1053. Delete echo MAJOR_ID

1053.1

Okay, that should work for inserting the student. Delete the echo $MAJOR_ID line.

HINTS

Delete the echo $MAJOR_ID line from the file

1057. \d students

1057.1

One last thing to add. In the psql prompt, view the details of the students table so you can see what columns to add.

HINTS

Use the display shortcut command
Add the table name after the command
It's the \d command
Here's an example: \d <table_name>
Type \d students into the psql prompt
Enter psql --username=freecodecamp --dbname=students in the terminal to log into the psql prompt if you aren't already

1060. Add INSERT_STUDENT_RESULT

1060.1

You will need to set the four columns when adding the student info. All of them except student_id. Below the insert student comment, create an INSERT_STUDENT_RESULT variable that adds the student to the database. Add the columns in the order they appear in the data, and make sure to only put the two VARCHAR columns in single quotes.

HINTS

Here's an example: INSERT_STUDENT_RESULT=$($PSQL "<query_here>")
For the query, you want to use the INSERT INTO, and VALUES keywords
Here's an example of how the query part looks: INSERT INTO <table_name>(<column_1>, <column_N>) VALUES(<value_1>, <value_N>)
In your query, make sure the columns to add are in this order: first_name, last_name, major_id, and gpa
The query you want is: INSERT INTO students(first_name, last_name, major_id, gpa) VALUES('$FIRST', '$LAST', $MAJOR_ID, $GPA)
Here's how the whole line should look: INSERT_STUDENT_RESULT=$($PSQL "INSERT INTO students(first_name, last_name, major_id, gpa) VALUES('$FIRST', '$LAST', $MAJOR_ID, $GPA)")

1070. Add if INSERT_STUDENT_RESULT

1070.1

Below the variable you just created, add an if statement that checks if it's equal to INSERT 0 1 like the others. If it is, use echo to print Inserted into students, <first_name> <last_name>.

HINTS

The condition should look like this: if [[ $INSERT_STUDENT_RESULT == "INSERT 0 1" ]]
Use the FIRST and LAST variables to print the students name
The echo should look like this: echo Inserted into students, $FIRST $LAST
The whole thing should look like this:

if [[ $INSERT_STUDENT_RESULT == "INSERT 0 1" ]]
then
  echo "Inserted into students, $FIRST $LAST"
fi

1080. ./insert_data.sh

1080.1

Run the script to see if the students are getting added.

HINTS

Run your insert_data.sh script by executing it
Type ./insert_data.sh in the terminal and press enter
After running the script, the majors and courses tables should have three rows each, and the majors_courses and students tables should have four. If they don't, there might be something wrong in the script. You can use the reset button to reset the lesson and run the script again

1090. SELECT * FROM students

1090.1

I think it's working. View all the data in the students table to make sure it matches the CSV file.

HINTS

Use the SELECT and FROM keywords with * to view all the data
Enter SELECT * FROM students; in the psql prompt
Enter psql --username=freecodecamp --dbname=students in the terminal to log into the psql prompt if you aren't already

1120. Change to cat courses.csv

1120.1

Excellent. It added all the students from the test data. Time to try it with the original files. Change the cat courses_test.csv line to use the original file again.

HINTS

Change cat courses_test.csv to cat courses.csv
The suggested line should look like this: cat courses.csv | while IFS="," read MAJOR COURSE

1130. Change to cat students.csv

1130.1

Next, change the cat students_test.csv line to use the original file as well.

HINTS

Change the cat students_test.csv to cat students.csv
The suggested line should look like this: cat students.csv | while IFS="," read FIRST LAST MAJOR GPA

1140. ./insert_data.sh

1140.1

Time for the moment of truth. Run the script and see if it works.

HINTS

Run your insert_data.sh script by executing it
Type ./insert_data.sh in the terminal and press enter
After running the script, the tables should have this many rows: majors has 7, courses has 17, majors_courses has 28, and students should have 31. If they don't, there might be something wrong in the script. You can use the reset button to reset the lesson and run the script again

1150. SELECT * FROM students

1150.1

That was cool. View all the data in the students table to see what you ended up with.

HINTS

Use the SELECT and FROM keywords with * to view all the data
Enter SELECT * FROM students; in the psql prompt
Enter psql --username=freecodecamp --dbname=students in the terminal to log into the psql prompt if you aren't already

1160. SELECT * FROM majors

1160.1

31 rows. That's how many are in the CSV file. Perfect. Next, check the majors table.

HINTS

Use the SELECT and FROM keywords with * to view all the data
Enter SELECT * FROM majors; in the psql prompt
Enter psql --username=freecodecamp --dbname=students in the terminal to log into the psql prompt if you aren't already

1170. SELECT * FROM courses

1170.1

7 rows. There must be 7 unique majors in the CSV file. View what's in the courses table.

HINTS

Use the SELECT and FROM keywords with * to view all the data
Enter SELECT * FROM courses; in the psql prompt
Enter psql --username=freecodecamp --dbname=students in the terminal to log into the psql prompt if you aren't already

1180. SELECT * FROM majors_courses

1180.1

Looks like there's 17 unique courses in the CSV file. Last, view the data in majors_courses. This should have the same number of rows at the CSV file.

HINTS

Use the SELECT and FROM keywords with * to view all the data
Enter SELECT * FROM majors_courses; in the psql prompt
Enter psql --username=freecodecamp --dbname=students in the terminal to log into the psql prompt if you aren't already

1190. ls

1190.1

28 rows, same as the CSV file. I think all the data got added correctly. You don't need your test files anymore. In the terminal, use the list command to check what files are in your project folder.

HINTS

It's the ls command
Don't use any flags with the command
Enter ls in the terminal

1200. rm students_test.csv

1200.1

Use the remove command (rm) to delete the students_test.csv file.

HINTS

Here's an example rm <filename>
Enter rm students_test.csv in the terminal

1205. rm courses_test.csv

1205.1

Use the same command to delete the courses_test.csv file.

HINTS

Here's an example rm <filename>
Enter rm courses_test.csv in the terminal

1210. ls

1210.1

List the contents of the folder again to make sure they're gone.

HINTS

Use the list command
It's the ls command
Don't use any flags with the command
Enter ls in the terminal

1220. pg_dump --help

1220.1

The database is finished for now. The last thing you are going to do is make a "dump" of it. The pg_dump command can do that for you. Use the --help flag with the command to see what it can do.

HINTS

Here's an example: <command> <flag>
Enter pg_dump --help in the terminal
The bash terminal, not the psql one
Press enter until you have seen the whole manual

1230. dump database

1230.1

This is the last step. There's quite a few options there. Enter pg_dump --clean --create --inserts --username=freecodecamp students > students.sql in the terminal to dump the database into a students.sql file. It will save all the commands needed to rebuild it. Take a quick look at the file when you are done.

HINTS

Enter the suggested command in the terminal
The bash terminal, not the psql one
Make sure you are in the project folder first

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Learn SQL by Building a Student Database: Part 1

10. Start the Terminal

10.1

HINTS

20. psql login

20.1

HINTS

30. \l

30.1

HINTS

40. CREATE DATABASE students;

40.1

HINTS

50. \l

50.1

HINTS

60. \c students

60.1

HINTS

70. CREATE TABLE students

70.1

HINTS

80. CREATE TABLE majors

80.1

HINTS

90. CREATE TABLE courses

90.1

HINTS

100. CREATE TABLE majors_courses

100.1

HINTS

110. \d

110.1

HINTS

120. Create student_id Column

120.1

HINTS

130. Create first_name Column

130.1

HINTS

140. Create last_name Column

140.1

HINTS

143. Create major_id Column

143.1

HINTS

146. Create gpa Column

146.1

HINTS

150. \d students

150.1

HINTS

160. Create major_id Column

160.1

HINTS

170. Create major Column

170.1

HINTS

180. \d majors

180.1

HINTS

183. Create major_id foreign key

183.1

HINTS

187. \d students

187.1

HINTS

190. Create course_id Column

190.1

HINTS

200. Create course Column

200.1

HINTS

220. \d courses