For me, one of the more confusing things about Links SQL is reading posts with bits of code like:

<%if URL eq 'http://'%>
link to detail.html
<%else%>
use link to website
<%endif%>

First, I had no idea where this was inserted. With the <%something%> tags means they are Links SQL tags that are inserted in html or txt files included in html files. They can be inserted almost anywhere, with the constraint the particular tag has to be available in that module.

Usually these code fragments are seen without a lot of explanation to the logic, so they are hard to understand and learn.

Pugdog's post was particularly helpful:

http://gossamer-threads.com/p/142429

It goes through several simple examples with enough explanation that a person can understand the logic of what is happening and see how it could be applied to different things. It also gives a person an understanding of how powerful and customizable Links SQL is. The ability to customize Links SQL goes way beyond most programs ability to select colors, determine placement and turn on/off features.

Anyway, as a novice, I too struggle with the complexities of Links SQL. What Links SQL will/can do far exceeds my abilities, and that is good. It is no fun to try and force a program to do something it really isn't capable of doing.

Hang in there!
--Rob Van Deren
BeaverheadRiver.com