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Curtis Norman

Welcome to "Master SQL Basics in 7 Days. | Learn SQL Server (SSMS)," your fast-track introduction to SQL and Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS). Designed for beginners, this comprehensive course takes you through the essentials of SQL in just seven days. Whether you're a complete novice or looking to strengthen your foundational knowledge, this course will guide you step-by-step through the key concepts of SQL and provide hands-on experience using SSMS, one of the most powerful tools for managing databases.

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Welcome to "Master SQL Basics in 7 Days. | Learn SQL Server (SSMS)," your fast-track introduction to SQL and Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS). Designed for beginners, this comprehensive course takes you through the essentials of SQL in just seven days. Whether you're a complete novice or looking to strengthen your foundational knowledge, this course will guide you step-by-step through the key concepts of SQL and provide hands-on experience using SSMS, one of the most powerful tools for managing databases.

In just one week, you'll learn how to query databases, retrieve and manipulate data, and create your own databases—all essential skills for anyone looking to dive into data analysis, business intelligence, or database management. Each lesson is designed to be approachable and simple yet detailed, ensuring you gain both theoretical knowledge and practical, real-world application. No prior coding or database experience is required; all you need is the desire to learn.

Throughout this course, you will:

  • Gain the confidence to navigate and use SQL and Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio like a data pro.

  • Understand the basics of SQL, including

  • Learn how to create and manage databases, tables, and relationships within SSMS.

  • Write efficient queries to retrieve and manipulate data.

  • Create Databases and inserting thousands of values

  • Analyze thousands of rows of data – real world data

  • Prepare data for visualizations such as PowerBI, Tableau, etc.

  • Design Entity Relationship Diagrams

  • Aggregate, format, and modify data using SQL operators and functions

  • Gain experience with Big Data and solving complex questions using data

  • Learn SQL Joins – working with multiple tables and databases

  • Practice, Practice, Practice.

  • And much more.

The course is divided into seven bite-sized modules, each building on the last, ensuring a smooth learning curve. You’ll complete each lesson with practical exercises, allowing you to immediately apply what you’ve learned and solidify your skills. By the end of the week, you'll have a solid understanding of SQL and how to use SSMS to interact with databases efficiently.

In this course, the instructor will guide you through the step-by-step process of installing Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio on a Windows operating system. It is strongly recommended that you have access to a Windows-based computer before enrolling.

Whether you're looking to advance your career, gain new technical skills, or simply understand the language of databases, this course will provide you with the tools you need to succeed. Start your journey to mastering SQL today.

Enroll now

What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Master the basics of microsoft sql server management studio.
  • Understand the basics to sql - select, into, from, where, group by, having, order by.
  • Learn how to insert, update and delete data.
  • Retrieve and filter data using conditions, sorting, and grouping techniques.
  • Learn to join multiple tables and understand relationships between data.
  • Create and manage databases, tables, and views in microsoft sql server management studio (ssms).
  • The fundamentals of database design and how to ensure efficient data management.
  • Hands-on practice with real-world exercises to reinforce sql skills and build confidence.
  • Become a data expert and add sql to your resume. gain applicable experience that will elevate your career!

Syllabus

Day One: Getting Started
Video: Course Introduction
READ ME: Welcome!
Video: What is a Server?
Read more
Article: Cloud Based vs. On-Premises Servers
Video: What is a Database?
Article: Database Management Systems
Video: Introduction to SQL
Article: Understanding SQL Command Categories
Optional Article: E.F. Codd - A Relational Model of Data for Large Shared Data..
Link: Downloading Microsoft SQL Server
Video: Downloading Microsoft SQL Server
Video: Connecting to server in SSMS
Video: SSMS Feature Demonstration
Video: SQL Cheat Sheet
Article: SQL Cheat Sheet

This practice test includes material covered in day one, offering an opportunity to assess your understanding of the key topics and concepts discussed. It is designed to align closely with the content and objectives presented in that section. Use this test to reinforce your learning and identify areas that may need additional review.

Place Holder
Video: Day Two Introduction
Video: Create Database
Code: Create Database
Video: Drop Database
Code: Drop Database
Video: Use Database
Code: Use Database
Video: Data Types
Article: Data Types
Video: Create Table
Code: Create Table
Video: Drop Table
Code: Drop Table
Video: Insert Data
Code: Insert Data
Video: Not NULL
Code: Not NULL
Video: Unique Values
Code: Unique Values
Video: Primary Keys
Code: Primary Keys
Video: Default Values
Code: Default Values

This quiz includes material covered in day two, offering an opportunity to assess your understanding of the key topics and concepts discussed. It is designed to align closely with the content and objectives presented in that section. Use this test to reinforce your learning and identify areas that may need additional review.

Day Three: Retrieving Data
Video: Day Three Introduction
Code: Syntax used in Day Three
Video: Select & Top n
Code: Select & Top n
Video: Select Distinct
Code: Select Distinct
Video: Arithmetic Operators
Code: Arithmetic Operators
Video: Alias Names
Code: Alias Names
Video: Where Clause (=, >, <, >=, <=, <>)
Code: Where Clause (=, >, <, >=, <=, <>)
Video: Where Clause (And, Or, Not in, Between)
Code: Where Clause (And, Or, Not in, Between)
Video: Where Clause (Like, Null, Not Null)
Code: Where Clause (Like, Null, Not Null)
Video: Order by
Code: Order by
Video: Aggregate Function – Count
Code: Aggregate Function – Count
Video: Group by
Code: Group by
Video: Aggregate Functions – Sum, Min, Max, Avg
Code: Aggregate Functions – Sum, Min, Max, Avg
Video: Having
Code: Having
Video: Case Statements
Code: Case Statements
Article: SQL Order of Operations

This quiz includes material covered in day three, offering an opportunity to assess your understanding of the key topics and concepts discussed. It is designed to align closely with the content and objectives presented in that section. Use this test to reinforce your learning and identify areas that may need additional review.

Day Four: Modifying Data
Video: Day Four Introduction
Code: Syntax used in Day Four
Video: Updating Data
Code: Updating Data
Video: Truncating Data
Code: Truncating Data
Video: Deleting Data
Code: Deleting Data
Video: Alter Table
Code: Alter Table
Video: Select Into
Code: Select Into
Video: Inner Queries
Code: Inner Queries
Video: Temporary Tables
Code: Temporary Tables
Video: Common Table Expressions (CTEs)
Code: Common Table Expressions (CTEs)
Article: Inner Queries, Temp Tables, and CTEs

This quiz includes material covered in day four, offering an opportunity to assess your understanding of the key topics and concepts discussed. It is designed to align closely with the content and objectives presented in that section. Use this quiz to reinforce your learning and identify areas that may need additional review.

In this section students will learn how to build a sample database. We will review primary keys and creating relationships to foreign keys. Additionally, students will learn to create an ERD in SSMS.
Video: Day Five Introduction
Video: Introduction to Summit Database
Video: Summit Sporting Goods Data Dictionary
Video: Relational Databases
Article: Understanding Relational Databases

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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 Master SQL Basics in 7 Days! | Learn SQL Server (SSMS) with these activities:
Review Relational Database Concepts
Reinforce your understanding of relational database concepts before diving into SQL Server. A solid grasp of these concepts is crucial for effective database design and querying.
Browse courses on Relational Databases
Show steps
  • Review the principles of relational database design.
  • Study the concepts of primary and foreign keys.
  • Practice creating simple ER diagrams.
Review 'SQL for Data Analysis' by Cathy Tanimura
Supplement your learning with a book focused on SQL for data analysis. This will provide a broader context for the SQL skills you're learning in the course.
Show steps
  • Read the chapters relevant to data retrieval and manipulation.
  • Work through the examples provided in the book.
  • Compare the book's approach to the course materials.
SQLZoo Tutorials and Exercises
Practice SQL queries using SQLZoo's interactive tutorials. This will reinforce your understanding of SQL syntax and improve your problem-solving skills.
Show steps
  • Complete the SQLZoo tutorials on SELECT statements.
  • Work through the exercises on filtering and sorting data.
  • Practice using aggregate functions and GROUP BY clauses.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Document Your SQL Learning Journey
Create a blog or documentation to share your SQL learning experience. This will help solidify your understanding and allow you to contribute to the SQL community.
Show steps
  • Choose a platform for your blog or documentation.
  • Write about the SQL concepts you've learned.
  • Share code examples and explain your approach.
  • Document any challenges you faced and how you overcame them.
Create a Sample Database for a Small Business
Apply your SQL skills by designing and implementing a database for a small business. This will help you understand the practical aspects of database design and management.
Show steps
  • Define the requirements for the database.
  • Design the database schema, including tables and relationships.
  • Create the database and tables in SQL Server Management Studio.
  • Populate the database with sample data.
  • Write SQL queries to retrieve and manipulate the data.
Review 'Murach's SQL Server 2019 for Developers'
Expand your knowledge with a comprehensive guide to SQL Server 2019. This will provide a deeper understanding of the platform and its capabilities.
View Alter Ego on Amazon
Show steps
  • Read the chapters relevant to database development.
  • Work through the examples provided in the book.
  • Experiment with the advanced features of SQL Server.
Contribute to an Open Source SQL Project
Contribute to an open-source SQL project to gain real-world experience and collaborate with other developers. This will help you improve your SQL skills and learn best practices.
Show steps
  • Find an open-source SQL project on GitHub or GitLab.
  • Review the project's documentation and code.
  • Identify a bug or feature to work on.
  • Submit a pull request with your changes.

Career center

Learners who complete Master SQL Basics in 7 Days! | Learn SQL Server (SSMS) will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Master SQL Basics in 7 Days! | Learn SQL Server (SSMS).
Focuses on using SQL for data analysis, covering topics such as data aggregation, window functions, and advanced filtering techniques. It is designed for data analysts and business intelligence professionals who want to use SQL to extract insights from data. The book includes numerous examples and exercises, making it a practical resource for mastering SQL for data analysis. It adds more breadth to the course, particularly for those interested in data analysis.
Offers a comprehensive guide to SQL Server 2019, covering everything from basic SQL queries to advanced database development techniques. It is designed for developers who want to master SQL Server and build robust database applications. It is particularly useful for understanding the intricacies of SQL Server and how to leverage its features effectively. This book serves as an excellent reference for students looking to deepen their understanding of SQL Server in a development context.

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