Since SQL is so central to Plotalot, we need to discuss it before we proceed to build any charts. If you already know SQL, you can skip this section.
SQL is a database query language. It enables humans and programs to create, read, update, and delete data in databases in a (sort of) standardised language, the Structured Query Language. An instruction to a SQL database is known as a query, and queries can range from simple ones that almost anyone can understand, to complex monstrosities that almost no-one can understand. Fortunately, here we are concerned only with queries that retrieve data - "Select" queries. With a little knowledge, you can achieve a great deal, and since Plotalot only allows select queries, you can't do any damage, so let's have a go!
In this guide, we show SQL verbs and functions in UPPER CASE, with column and table names in lower case. We often omit `backticks` and "quotes", although please see the comments about this later.
You could just enter queries straight into Plotalot. You will see the results, or the errors in your SQL, but it would be a frustrating environment in which to learn SQL. More typically you will use a tool like phpMyAdmin. Most web hosts give you access to this tool, and it's a much easier place to develop queries than Plotalot. Once you are in phpMyAdmin, select your database, and click the SQL tab to bring up the SQL query utility. You're ready to go!