brief introduction on why we connect from R to databases

[catalamarti]

My comments on the chapter:

• It might be helpful to include a brief introduction on why we connect from R to databases on a server. This could cover the "database side" and local R, and explain that while the database is in SQL, we work with it in R (a similar introduction to the one usually provided in CDMConnector courses)

• Overall, the beginning feels too strong, discussing hosts, ports, etc., without much prior context. Adding what I mention in the previous point could make it easier to follow.

• In the example with the cdm object, consider adding the prefix as it is mentioned in the text.

• Generally, the vocabulary is plain which I think is really helpful and makes it easier to follow. However, the sentence "this depends on the Database Management System (DBMS) of your back-end" in section 4.4. is too technical without prior explanation of what DBMS and back-end mean.

But overall having this will be really helpful to learn how to connect!!

Originally posted by @nmercadeb in #5 (comment)

[daniellenewby]

Also.. might be useful to have some information on doing it the "old" way (shock horror). As we are having to use the non cdmconnector for studies so might be useful to have this code for reference?

[edward-burn]

Is this necessary? Can it not just be seen reading https://dpa-pde-oxford.quarto.pub/an-introduction-to-tidy-r-programming-with-the-omop-common-data-model/ch_1_getting_started.html?

[daniellenewby]

I think we can add a link to it in this chapter - it is linked on the preface but maybe add more links to this book throughout?