Introduction to SQL

Hours: 32 / Access Length: 180 Days / Delivery: Online, Mentor Supported

Course Overview:

Structured Query Language (SQL) is the language used to work with databases and the information stored within them.  This course will provide a working knowledge of the basic forms of SQL, including how to select and update data from common table formats.  Learners will create a database and use SQL to manipulate the data within it.

Students will need a Windows computer in order to use SQL Server Management Studio.

Students will:

• install the SQL Server demo and explore the basics of relational databases.
• write SQL SELECT statements to retrieve data from a single data table.
• write SQL SELECT statements with JOINS to retrieve data from multiple tables.
• write queries to summarize data using aggregate functions.
• write queries that contain sub queries.
• write queries to insert, update and delete data from data tables.
• write queries to convert and edit data in the database.
• design and create a database.

Course Outline:

Lesson 1: Introduction to Relational Databases and SQL

In this lesson you will gain an understanding of what a relational database is, and become familiar with the concepts and terms that apply to the database systems. 

Lesson 2: How to Use the Management Studio

In this lesson you will learn how to use the primary tool for working with SQL Server 2016, the SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS).

Lesson 3: Retrieving Data from a Single Table

In this lesson you will learn how to code SELECT statements that retrieve data from a single table.  These skills are the essential ones that apply to any SELECT statement, no matter how complex.  You'll want to be sure you have a good understanding of the material in this lesson before you go on to the lessons that follow. 

Lesson 4: Retrieving Data from Multiple Tables

In this lesson you will learn how to create result sets that contain data from two or more tables.  

Lesson 5: Working with Summary Queries

In this lesson you will learn how to code queries that summarize data.  For example, you can use summary queries to report sales totals by vendor or state, or to get a count of the number of invoices that were processed each day of the month.

Lesson 6: Working with Sub Queries

A subquery is a SELECT statement that's coded within another SQL statement.  You can use subqueries to build queries that would be difficult or impossible to do otherwise.  In this lesson you will learn how to use subqueries within SELECT statements.

Lesson 7: Inserting, Updating, and Deleting Data

In this lesson you'll learn how to code the INSERT, UPDATE, and DELETE statements to modify the data in a table.  When you're done with this lesson, you'll know how to code the four statements that are used every day by professional SQL programmers. 

Lesson 8: Working with Data Types  

So far, you have been using SQL statements to work with the three most common types of data:  strings, numbers, and dates.  Now, this lesson takes a more in-depth look at the data types that are available with SQL Server and shows some basic skills for working with them. 

Lesson 9: Working with Functions

This lesson expands on the SELECT concepts from Lesson 3 by presenting many more of the scalar functions.  When you complete this lesson, you'll have a thorough understanding of the functions that you can use with SQL Server. 

Lesson 10:  Designing a Database

In this lesson you'll learn how to design a new database.  This is useful information for the SQL programmer whether or not you ever design a database on your own. 

Lesson 11:  How to Create a Database and Its Tables

Now that you've learned how to design a database, you're ready to learn how to implement your design.  To do that, you use the set of SQL statement that are known as the data definition language (DDL).  You can use the DDL statements to create and modify the database objects such as tables and sequences that you need for testing. Knowing what these statements do will give you a better appreciation for how a database works. 

All necessary course materials are included.

System Requirements:

Internet Connectivity Requirements:

• Cable, Fiber, DSL, or LEO Satellite (i.e. Starlink) internet with speeds of at least 10mb/sec download and 5mb/sec upload are recommended for the best experience.

NOTE: While cellular hotspots may allow access to our courses, users may experience connectivity issues by trying to access our learning management system.  This is due to the potential high download and upload latency of cellular connections.   Therefore, it is not recommended that students use a cellular hotspot as their primary way of accessing their courses.

Hardware Requirements:

• CPU: 1 GHz or higher
• RAM: 4 GB or higher
• Resolution: 1280 x 720 or higher.  1920x1080 resolution is recommended for the best experience.
• Speakers / Headphones
• Microphone for Webinar or Live Online sessions.

Operating System Requirements:

• Windows 7 or higher.
• Mac OSX 10 or higher.
• Latest Chrome OS
• Latest Linux Distributions
  

NOTE: While we understand that our courses can be viewed on Android and iPhone devices, we do not recommend the use of these devices for our courses. The size of these devices do not provide a good learning environment for students taking online or live online based courses.

Web Browser Requirements:

• Latest Google Chrome is recommended for the best experience.
• Latest Mozilla FireFox
• Latest Microsoft Edge
• Latest Apple Safari

Basic Software Requirements (These are recommendations of software to use):

• Office suite software (Microsoft Office, OpenOffice, or LibreOffice)
• PDF reader program (Adobe Reader, FoxIt)
• Courses may require other software that is described in the above course outline.