Introduction to SQL and relational databases from edX

The biggest asset of today's companies is their data, and data that is mostly stored in online relational databases.

Virtually all relational database management systems in use today use SQL as a tool for manipulating and querying the data they contain.

SQL language is an international standard that allows, in a simple way, powerful data extraction and summarization queries to be performed with very few commands.

If you want to make a career in business intelligence, web application programming or any other activity that requires querying or updating data, mastering SQL is a basic requirement.

In this course we will teach you the basic concepts needed to manage a database and we will introduce you gradually and practically to the use of SQL, starting with the simple query to get all the data stored in a table and ending with complex queries able to summarize the data contained in several related tables, queries that you will be able to replicate in a SQL emulator in the cloud during the course.

What you'll learn

Basic concepts of databases and relational databases such as table, record, field, relation, primary key or secondary key.

* Use of the SELECT command with the WHERE clause and various tools such as IN, BETWEEN or LIKE to query databases using string and range patterns.

* The SQL commands for creating, changing and deleting tables and databases: CREATE, ALTER and DROP

* The SQL commands for modifying the contents of database tables: INSERT, UPDATE and DELETE.

* How to group and sort the results of a SQL query with ORDER BY, GROUP BY and how to summarize them with functions such as SUM, AVG, MAX or MIN.

* How to perform complex queries that return the results of several tables with JOIN and UNION

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Teaches SQL, which is a standard relational database language

Covers SQL commands for a range of tasks, from simple data extraction to complex summaries

Provides hands-on practice with an SQL emulator in the cloud

Builds a strong foundation for beginners in relational database management

Suited for individuals seeking a career in business intelligence, web application programming, or other data-related fields

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Introduction to SQL and relational databases with these activities:

Organize Course Materials

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Streamlines your learning experience by keeping your course materials well-organized, promoting effective study habits.

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Gather materials: Collect all relevant course materials, including lecture slides, assignments, and notes.
Create a system: Establish a clear and consistent organization system for your materials.

Review SQL Syntax and Concepts

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Strengthens your foundation by revisiting essential SQL concepts and syntax, preparing you for more advanced topics.

Browse courses on SQL Syntax

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Go through notes: Review your lecture notes or textbook materials on SQL syntax and concepts.
Complete practice exercises: Solve simple SQL exercises to refresh your memory and identify areas for improvement.

Compile a Collection of SQL Resources

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Establishes a valuable resource for future reference, supporting your continued learning journey.

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Gather resources: Collect useful SQL tutorials, documentation, cheat sheets, and other materials.
Organize resources: Categorize and store your resources in a logical manner for easy access.
Share your compilation: Consider sharing your resource compilation with classmates or online communities.

Five other activities

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Read SQL Queries for Mere Mortals by John L. Viescas

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Introduces core SQL syntax to better understand and write complex queries.

View SQL Queries for Mere Mortals: A Hands-On Guide... on Amazon

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Gather materials: Acquire a copy of 'SQL Queries for Mere Mortals'.
Read and understand: Go through the book, focusing on the sections covering SQL syntax and query writing.
Practice exercises: Complete the exercises provided in the book to reinforce your understanding of SQL queries.

Complete SQL Practice Problems from W3Schools

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Provides hands-on practice in writing and executing SQL queries to solidify your understanding.

Browse courses on SQL Queries

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Access W3Schools website: Go to the W3Schools SQL Exercises section.
Start practicing: Select an exercise and try to solve it using the SQL syntax you've learned.
Check your answers: Submit your query and review the feedback to identify any errors or areas for improvement.

Attend a SQL Workshop or Meetup

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Enhances your learning by connecting with other learners and practitioners, broadening your perspectives.

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Find a workshop or meetup: Search for local SQL workshops or meetups using Meetup.com or Eventbrite.
Register and attend: Sign up for the event and attend in person.
Engage with others: Actively participate in discussions, ask questions, and share your experiences with other attendees.

Create a Database for a Personal Project

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Encourages you to apply your SQL skills by designing and implementing a database for a personal project, solidifying your understanding.

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Define project scope: Determine the purpose of your database and the data it will store.
Design database schema: Plan the structure of your database, including tables, columns, and relationships.
Create database and tables: Use SQL commands to create the database and its tables based on your design.
Populate database: Insert data into your tables using SQL INSERT statements.
Query and analyze data: Use SQL SELECT statements to retrieve and analyze data from your database.

Build a Data Visualization Dashboard Using SQL and a Visualization Tool

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Integrates your SQL skills with data visualization to create a compelling representation of your data, enhancing your comprehension.

Browse courses on Data Visualization

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Gather data: Use SQL queries to extract relevant data from your database.
Choose visualization tool: Select a data visualization tool such as Tableau or Power BI.
Design visualizations: Create charts, graphs, or other visualizations to represent your data effectively.
Create dashboard: Combine multiple visualizations into a dashboard for easy data exploration and analysis.
Present your dashboard: Share your dashboard with others to communicate your findings.

Career center

Learners who complete Introduction to SQL and relational databases will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Data Analyst

Data analysts collect, clean, analyze, and interpret data to help businesses make better decisions. This course provides a solid foundation in SQL, a key skill for data analysts. With a strong understanding of SQL, you'll be able to effectively extract and analyze data from relational databases, a common data storage system used by businesses. This course can help you develop the skills needed to succeed as a data analyst.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst

Business Intelligence Analyst

Business intelligence analysts use data to identify trends, patterns, and opportunities to help businesses make better decisions. This course provides a strong foundation in SQL, a crucial skill for business intelligence analysts. With a deep understanding of SQL, you'll be able to effectively query and analyze data from relational databases, a common data storage system used by businesses. This course can help you develop the skills needed to succeed as a business intelligence analyst.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Intelligence Analyst

Database Administrator

Database administrators are responsible for managing and maintaining databases, ensuring data integrity and availability. This course provides a comprehensive introduction to SQL and relational databases, essential knowledge for database administrators. You'll learn how to create, modify, and delete databases and tables, as well as how to perform complex queries to retrieve and manipulate data. This course can help you develop the foundational skills needed to succeed as a database administrator.

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Software Engineer

Software engineers design, develop, and maintain software systems. This course provides a strong foundation in SQL, a key skill for software engineers who work with relational databases. With a deep understanding of SQL, you'll be able to effectively query and manipulate data from relational databases, a common data storage system used by businesses. This course can help you develop the skills needed to succeed as a software engineer.

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Data Scientist

Data scientists use scientific methods and algorithms to extract knowledge and insights from data. This course provides a solid foundation in SQL, a key skill for data scientists. With a strong understanding of SQL, you'll be able to effectively query and analyze data from relational databases, a common data storage system used by businesses. This course can help you develop the foundational skills needed to succeed as a data scientist.

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Web Developer

Web developers design and develop websites and web applications. This course provides a solid foundation in SQL, a key skill for web developers who work with relational databases. With a strong understanding of SQL, you'll be able to effectively query and manipulate data from relational databases, a common data storage system used by businesses. This course can help you develop the skills needed to succeed as a web developer.

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Financial Analyst

Financial analysts use financial data to evaluate and make recommendations on investments. This course provides a solid foundation in SQL, a key skill for financial analysts who work with relational databases. With a strong understanding of SQL, you'll be able to effectively query and analyze financial data to identify trends and make informed investment decisions. This course can help you develop the skills needed to succeed as a financial analyst.

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Operations Research Analyst

Operations research analysts use mathematical and analytical techniques to solve business problems. This course provides a solid foundation in SQL, a key skill for operations research analysts who work with relational databases. With a strong understanding of SQL, you'll be able to effectively query and analyze data from relational databases to identify and solve business problems. This course can help you develop the skills needed to succeed as an operations research analyst.

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Information Security Analyst

Information security analysts protect computer systems and networks from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, disruption, modification, or destruction. This course provides a solid foundation in SQL, a key skill for information security analysts who work with relational databases. With a strong understanding of SQL, you'll be able to effectively query and analyze data from relational databases to identify and mitigate security risks. This course can help you develop the skills needed to succeed as an information security analyst.

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Product Manager

Product managers are responsible for the development and launch of new products. This course provides a solid foundation in SQL, a key skill for product managers who work with relational databases. With a strong understanding of SQL, you'll be able to effectively query and analyze product data to identify trends and make informed product decisions. This course can help you develop the skills needed to succeed as a product manager.

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Market Researcher

Market researchers study market trends and consumer behavior to help businesses make better decisions. This course provides a solid foundation in SQL, a key skill for market researchers who work with relational databases. With a strong understanding of SQL, you'll be able to effectively query and analyze market data to identify trends and consumer preferences. This course can help you develop the skills needed to succeed as a market researcher.

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Salesforce Administrator

Salesforce administrators manage and maintain Salesforce systems, a cloud-based customer relationship management (CRM) platform. This course provides a solid foundation in SQL, a key skill for Salesforce administrators who work with relational databases. With a strong understanding of SQL, you'll be able to effectively query and analyze data from relational databases to identify trends and make informed decisions. This course can help you develop the skills needed to succeed as a Salesforce administrator.

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User Experience (UX) Researcher

User experience (UX) researchers study how users interact with products and services to improve the user experience. This course provides a solid foundation in SQL, a key skill for UX researchers who work with relational databases. With a strong understanding of SQL, you'll be able to effectively query and analyze data from relational databases to identify trends and make informed design decisions. This course can help you develop the skills needed to succeed as a UX researcher.

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Technical Writer

Technical writers create and maintain documentation for software, hardware, and other technical products. This course provides a solid foundation in SQL, a key skill for technical writers who document relational databases. With a strong understanding of SQL, you'll be able to effectively query and analyze data from relational databases to create accurate and informative documentation. This course can help you develop the skills needed to succeed as a technical writer.

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Data Entry Clerk

Data entry clerks input and manage data into computer systems. This course provides a solid foundation in SQL, a key skill for data entry clerks who work with relational databases. With a strong understanding of SQL, you'll be able to effectively query and analyze data from relational databases to ensure data accuracy and completeness. This course can help you develop the skills needed to succeed as a data entry clerk.

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