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Malvik Vaghadia

If you have some experience with SQL and want to develop your query skills to the next level from intermediate to advanced then this is the perfect course for you.

No downloads or software installation required. We will be using Oracle APEX which is a web-based application – you will be set up with your own virtual database hosted on the cloud. Although we will be using Oracle APEX the course has been designed to highlight key differences between some of the main Database Management Systems such as MySQL and Microsoft SQL Server, so what you learn in this course can be applied across all platforms supporting SQL.

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If you have some experience with SQL and want to develop your query skills to the next level from intermediate to advanced then this is the perfect course for you.

No downloads or software installation required. We will be using Oracle APEX which is a web-based application – you will be set up with your own virtual database hosted on the cloud. Although we will be using Oracle APEX the course has been designed to highlight key differences between some of the main Database Management Systems such as MySQL and Microsoft SQL Server, so what you learn in this course can be applied across all platforms supporting SQL.

This course will cover:

  • Analytical (Window) Functions

  • Regular Expressions (RegEx)

  • Materialized Views

  • Extensions to Group By

  • Correlated Subqueries

  • Common Table Expressions

  • Hierarchical Queries

  • Data Cleansing

  • Data Manipulation

The lectures in this course are arranged into short, bite-sized chunks. The course is designed to be comprehensive, but also concise in order to make the learning experience as easy as possible. Each section of the course has been specifically tailored to give the optimal learning experience, sections are packed with quizzes, assignments and real world type scenarios to give you an opportunity to develop your practical skills.

As your instructor I have 10+ years of professional experience consulting and working for a range of publicly listed companies. I have worked extensively across multiple database management systems including Oracle, MySQL and Microsoft SQL Server.

I hope to see you enrolled in the course.

Enroll now

What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Students will master advanced sql functions and operations
  • Analytical (window) functions
  • Regular expressions (regex)
  • Materialized views
  • Group by extensions
  • Hierarchical queries
  • Common table expressions (ctes)
  • Advanced subqueries
  • Data cleansing
  • Data manipulation

Syllabus

Introduction & Course Set Up
Course Overview & Prerequisite Knowledge
Oracle APEX Account Set Up
Oracle APEX Overview
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Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Uses Oracle APEX, but highlights key differences between major Database Management Systems, making the skills applicable across platforms like MySQL and Microsoft SQL Server
Covers analytical window functions, which are essential for advanced data analysis and reporting in SQL
Includes regular expressions (RegEx), which are useful for complex pattern matching and data validation in SQL queries
Explores extensions to Group By, which allows for more sophisticated data aggregation and summarization techniques
Requires some prior experience with SQL, so learners should complete an introductory course first
Teaches data cleansing techniques, which are crucial for ensuring data quality and accuracy in SQL databases

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Reviews summary

Practical skills in advanced sql

According to learners, this course offers a solid dive into advanced SQL concepts, particularly highlighting the strength of its practical assignments. Students found the explanations on topics like Window Functions and CTEs to be valuable for professional development. While the course content is generally well-received, some reviews suggest ensuring a strong intermediate SQL foundation before enrolling, indicating it lives up to its 'advanced' title. The instructor's expertise is often cited as a positive aspect, though a few mention aspects of the delivery pace might require careful attention. Overall, it's seen as a course that can significantly boost SQL query skills.
Truly an advanced course, not for beginners.
"Make sure you have a solid intermediate understanding of SQL before taking this. It moves quickly on complex topics."
"The course description says 'some experience', but I'd recommend comfortable knowledge before starting."
"This isn't a beginner's course disguised as advanced; it expects you to know the basics well."
Highlights differences between SQL dialects.
"Using Oracle APEX was fine, and the notes on how things differ in MySQL or SQL Server were very helpful."
"I appreciated the effort to explain the nuances of syntax across different database systems."
"What I learned is easily transferable beyond just the Oracle environment used in the course."
Instructor has relevant professional experience.
"The instructor's professional background shines through, providing valuable real-world context."
"I appreciated learning from someone with extensive industry experience in SQL."
"His explanations are clear and informed by years of working with databases."
Effectively covers key advanced SQL concepts.
"Really helped solidify my understanding of Analytical Functions and CTEs. These sections alone were worth the price."
"The modules on Regular Expressions and Hierarchical Queries were well-explained and necessary for my work."
"This course provides a comprehensive look at advanced features you don't find covered this well elsewhere."
Hands-on exercises are highly valuable.
"The assignments are challenging yet practical, really cementing the concepts taught in the lectures."
"I found the hands-on coding and projects to be the strongest part of the course for me. They reflect real-world scenarios."
"The exercises provided ample opportunity to apply what was learned and build confidence in writing advanced queries."

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 The Advanced SQL Course with these activities:
Review Basic SQL Syntax
Reviewing basic SQL syntax will ensure a solid foundation for understanding the advanced concepts covered in this course.
Browse courses on SQL Syntax
Show steps
  • Review SQL SELECT, INSERT, UPDATE, and DELETE statements.
  • Practice writing basic queries using WHERE clauses and JOINs.
  • Familiarize yourself with common data types and operators.
Create a SQL Cheat Sheet
Creating a SQL cheat sheet will help you consolidate your knowledge of key SQL concepts and syntax.
Show steps
  • Compile a list of essential SQL commands and functions.
  • Organize the commands into categories such as data manipulation, querying, and aggregation.
  • Include examples of how to use each command with different options.
Review 'SQL Cookbook'
Referencing 'SQL Cookbook' will provide practical examples and solutions to common SQL challenges, enhancing your problem-solving skills.
Show steps
  • Browse the table of contents to identify relevant chapters.
  • Read through examples related to analytical functions and regular expressions.
  • Try implementing the examples in your own database environment.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Practice Window Function Exercises
Practicing window function exercises will reinforce your understanding of how to use them effectively in complex queries.
Show steps
  • Find online resources with window function practice problems.
  • Attempt to solve each problem using different window functions.
  • Compare your solutions with the provided answers and explanations.
Review 'Effective SQL'
Reading 'Effective SQL' will help you write more efficient and maintainable SQL code, improving your overall development skills.
Show steps
  • Read the book cover to cover.
  • Take notes on key concepts and techniques.
  • Try implementing the techniques in your own SQL projects.
Analyze a Real-World Dataset
Analyzing a real-world dataset will allow you to apply your advanced SQL skills to solve practical problems.
Show steps
  • Find a publicly available dataset that interests you.
  • Use SQL to explore the data and identify interesting patterns.
  • Write complex queries to answer specific questions about the data.
  • Document your findings and present them in a report.
Help Others on SQL Forums
Helping others on SQL forums will reinforce your understanding of SQL concepts and improve your problem-solving skills.
Show steps
  • Find online SQL forums or communities.
  • Browse the forums for questions related to the topics covered in the course.
  • Provide helpful and accurate answers to the questions.

Career center

Learners who complete The Advanced SQL Course will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Data Analyst
Data analysts are responsible for extracting insights from data by exploring, querying, and visualizing it and communicating the results to business stakeholders. This work involves using SQL to extract, manipulate, and organize data. The Advanced SQL Course stands out for data analysts due to its focus on advanced techniques such as window functions, regular expressions, and correlated subqueries. The course’s emphasis on data cleansing and manipulation directly supports the tasks that a data analyst regularly performs. Being proficient in Group By extensions, and Common Table Expressions, concepts taught in this course, also enables data analysts to write complex queries for in-depth analysis. The practical exercises and the instructor's professional experience add significant value for those wanting to excel as a data analyst.
Database Developer
Database developers build and maintain database systems. They design, code, and test the database structures, stored procedures, and queries. The Advanced SQL Course helps aspiring database developers by providing advanced knowledge needed for building robust database applications. The course's coverage of analytical functions, hierarchical queries, and common table expressions are tools that a database developer will use frequently. The focus on data manipulation and cleansing also enhances the developer's ability to maintain data quality. The course, with its practical assignments and diverse database coverage, provides a critical foundation for those seeking a career as a database developer.
Database Administrator
A database administrator is responsible for the performance, integrity, and security of a database. This role involves tasks like database design, implementation, maintenance, and recovery. The Advanced SQL Course is valuable for database administrators because it covers advanced SQL techniques and concepts that are crucial for managing and optimizing database systems. The course’s focus on analytical functions, regular expressions, and data manipulation can help a database administrator to write more effective and efficient queries, and improve overall database performance. Moreover, understanding hierarchical queries and materialized views as taught in this course, helps an administrator manage complex data relationships and improve query speeds. The course's practical assignments and real-world scenarios can provide relevant experience to aspiring database administrators.
Data Engineer
Data engineers build and maintain the infrastructure for data storage and processing. They are responsible for creating the pipelines that move and transform data for analysis. Data engineers regularly use SQL to interact with databases and ensure data quality and availability. The Advanced SQL Course provides a clear advantage to data engineers through its focus on advanced SQL techniques. The course covers regular expressions for data cleansing, and materialized views to optimize data retrieval. The course’s use of Oracle APEX to teach these skills directly translates to real world scenarios. The course also emphasizes manipulating data through SQL, which is beneficial for building and managing efficient data pipelines. The course provides an excellent qualification for those wishing to become a data engineer.
Business Intelligence Analyst
A business intelligence analyst interprets data and transforms it into actionable insights to guide business strategy. Business intelligence analysts use SQL for data retrieval and manipulation, and they often need to tackle complex queries. The Advanced SQL Course is particularly relevant due to its coverage of advanced SQL functions and operations. For example, the course's lessons on analytical functions, hierarchical queries, and materialized views prepare an analyst to handle complex data analysis tasks. The course’s emphasis on data cleansing also aids in ensuring the accuracy and reliability of the analysis. The course’s comprehensive approach, coupled with practical exercises based on real-world scenarios, makes it a useful qualification for those seeking to work as a business intelligence analyst.
Reporting Analyst
A reporting analyst is in charge of assembling data from various sources into reports for stakeholders. SQL skills are crucial in this role. The Advanced SQL Course is helpful for this role. For example, the course's teaching about window functions and group by extensions enhances an analyst's ability to calculate complex metrics and build reports, and the course's coverage of materialized views helps to manage large datasets. The course’s focus on practical exercises helps aspiring reporting analysts develop hands-on experience with SQL queries. For those looking to be a reporting analyst this course may be useful.
Data Architect
Data architects design and manage an organization’s data infrastructure, including databases and data warehouses. This role also involves defining data models and establishing standards for data usage. The Advanced SQL Course may be useful for data architects due to its focus on advanced SQL and data management. The course teaches about materialized views, which can aid in building efficient data storage strategies, and the course's exploration of hierarchical queries helps in modeling complex data relationships. The course’s detailed breakdown of query optimization, and data manipulation, could be useful for data architects.
Financial Analyst
Financial analysts analyze financial data to assist in making investment and strategic business choices. They frequently rely on SQL to extract and organize data from databases. The Advanced SQL Course may equip financial analysts with the necessary SQL abilities for this purpose. The course's extensive teaching of analytical functions, regular expressions, and group by extensions, helps a financial analyst conduct in-depth data analysis. The course's concentration on data cleansing is also crucial for ensuring the data's high quality and dependability. The practical focus of this course makes it useful for anyone planning to work as a financial analyst.
Data Scientist
Data scientists use statistical and analytical methods to extract knowledge from data. While they use programming languages, there is still a need to gather and manipulate data with SQL. Taking the Advanced SQL Course may be a boost for a data scientist. The course's exploration of analytical functions and window functions are useful for performing complex data analysis. The course's teaching about regular expressions for data cleaning may also help data scientists. The course also provides a practical advantage, making it helpful for those in data science.
Quantitative Analyst
A quantitative analyst develops mathematical and statistical models for financial markets. They often use SQL to query databases for financial and market data. The Advanced SQL Course may equip quantitative analysts with the enhanced SQL abilities needed to effectively analyze data. The course's focus on analytical functions, regular expressions, and materialized views improves a quantitative analyst's ability to manipulate and understand data. The course work in hierarchical queries can also aid financial data analysis. A quantitative analyst may find this course to be helpful.
Market Research Analyst
Market research analysts study market conditions to inform business decisions. They use SQL to process and analyze large datasets. While not a primary tool, it is still useful. The Advanced SQL Course may be useful for a market research analyst to manage data effectively. The course's focus on data manipulation and cleansing helps analysts ensure data quality, and the course’s coverage of analytical functions helps with complex data analysis needed for market analysis. The course may provide practical skills helpful to new market research analysts.
Operations Analyst
Operations analysts improve business processes by analyzing data, identifying inefficiencies and implementing solutions. SQL is often used to query and analyze operational data. The Advanced SQL Course may be helpful for an operations analyst to better understand data. The course work on analytical functions, also helps to identify patterns and improve efficiency. The course's data cleansing focus enables analysts to ensure data quality. The course may help improve the practical skills of operations analysts.
System Analyst
System analysts study an organization's computer systems and procedures and design solutions to improve efficiency. They sometimes use SQL to interact with databases to inform their analysis. The Advanced SQL Course may be helpful to system analysts for extracting data and understanding system performance. The course’s use of analytical functions and group by extensions helps with data analysis related to efficiency. The course may be a useful addition to the skillset of a systems analyst.
Technical Support Specialist
Technical support specialists provide assistance to users of computer systems, software, and hardware. While SQL is not a primary tool for this role, it is helpful in some settings, particularly if they access database systems. The Advanced SQL Course may help a technical support specialist diagnose and solve issues related to data processing. The course’s teaching on data manipulation and understanding query structures may be useful. This course may be useful to technical support specialists.
Project Manager
Project managers plan, organize, and oversee projects. While SQL isn't a typical tool, project managers will benefit from understanding the use of SQL in project management systems. The Advanced SQL Course may be helpful for project managers who oversee projects that involve managing and analyzing data. The course's focus on data manipulation and efficient querying may help project managers track progress and allocate resources. This course may be useful for project managers.

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 The Advanced SQL Course.
SQL Cookbook offers practical solutions to a wide range of SQL problems. It provides numerous code examples and explanations that can help solidify your understanding of SQL concepts. is particularly useful for understanding different approaches to solving complex queries and data manipulation tasks. It serves as a valuable reference for both beginners and experienced SQL developers.
Effective SQL provides practical advice on writing efficient and maintainable SQL code. It covers a wide range of topics, including query optimization, indexing, and data modeling. is particularly useful for understanding how to improve the performance of your SQL queries. It valuable resource for experienced SQL developers who want to take their skills to the next level.

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