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If you have always wanted to learn about SQL databases but didn't know where to start this course is for you.

We start at the very basics and walk you through all the configurations step-by-step. You learn:

  • How data is stored in tables
  • Understand Relational Database Concepts
  • Understand Tables and How to Create Them
  • Insert, Delete and Update Data
  • Database Security Concepts
  • Database Backups and Restore
Read more

If you have always wanted to learn about SQL databases but didn't know where to start this course is for you.

We start at the very basics and walk you through all the configurations step-by-step. You learn:

  • How data is stored in tables
  • Understand Relational Database Concepts
  • Understand Tables and How to Create Them
  • Insert, Delete and Update Data
  • Database Security Concepts
  • Database Backups and Restore

All examples are configured on Microsoft SQL Server 2008 which you can download via a free trial. This is the edition you will be tested on if you choose to take the Microsoft MTA Database Exam (98-364). You can follow along with the instructor and create your own database.

This is your first step to becoming a database engineer. It leads to the MCSA or MCSE Data Platform certifications.

The course is delivered by Microsoft Expert Toby Lawrence who has taught thousands of students from all over the world on Microsoft subjects.

Enroll now

What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Understand how sql data is stored
  • Know how to create and manipulate tables
  • Create stored procedures and functions
  • Understand normalization
  • Be able to backup and restore a database

Syllabus

Introduction
Introduction - Welcome to the Course
Understand how data is stored and manipulated.
Understand How Data is Stored in Tables
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Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Provides a foundation for learners seeking MCSA or MCSE Data Platform certifications, which are valuable for career advancement
Starts with the basics and walks learners through configurations step-by-step, making it accessible for individuals with no prior experience
Prepares learners for the Microsoft MTA Database Exam (98-364), offering targeted knowledge and skills assessment
Allows learners to follow along with the instructor and create their own database, fostering practical skills development
Covers database backups and restores, which are essential skills for maintaining data integrity and availability
Uses Microsoft SQL Server 2008, which is an older version, so learners should be aware of potential differences with newer versions

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Reviews summary

Foundational sql server course for beginners

According to students, this course is a fantastic starting point and excellent for beginners in SQL Server. Learners praise the instructor, Toby Lawrence, for his clear explanations and ability to make complex topics seem simple and easy to follow. The course provides a solid foundation, covering essential concepts and preparing students well for the MTA 98-364 exam. However, a significant and repeated point of criticism is the use of SQL Server 2008, which many find outdated and less relevant for modern job markets or applications. While the core principles are still valid, the technical environment is old. Some reviewers also felt the course was too basic and lacked the depth expected from a "bootcamp" format.
Content aligns with certification exam.
"...prepararte para la certificación MTA 98-364."
"Good for the MTA 98-364 exam prep."
"It's geared towards the MTA 98-364, which is fine..."
"Covers exactly what's needed for the MTA 98-364."
"It prepares you well for the MTA 98-364."
"Prepares you perfectly for the MTA 98-364."
"Covers the exam topics for 98-364, which is good..."
Explanations are clear and easy to follow.
"El profesor tiene muy buena dicción y explica de forma clara y sencilla."
"El instructor explica paso a paso y es fácil de seguir."
"Toby Lawrence is an excellent professor, makes complex topics seem simple."
"The instructor's pace is perfect and everything is explained simply."
"Toby explains everything clearly. Highly recommended for beginners."
Excellent starting point for novices.
"Recomendado para quienes se inician en este mundo."
"Muy buen curso para principiantes."
"For absolute beginners, it's fine..."
"As a complete beginner, I found this course incredibly helpful."
"Excellent course for getting started with SQL Server."
"Perfect starting point! Easy to understand..."
May be too basic for some learners.
"...podría profundizar en algunos temas..."
"El contenido es básico..."
"The course is too basic..."
"It's a very entry-level course. As a 'bootcamp' I expected more depth."
Course uses an old version (2008).
"SQL Server 2008 ya es bastante antiguo."
"la versión de SQL Server utilizada (2008) es un gran inconveniente."
"using SQL Server 2008 feels a bit dated."
"uses an ancient version of SQL Server (2008)."
"the SQL Server 2008 version is a big drawback for me."
"the outdated SQL Server version is a major issue for me regarding real-world applicability."

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 Microsoft SQL Database Bootcamp: Get Microsoft Certified with these activities:
Review Relational Database Concepts
Solidify your understanding of relational database concepts before diving into the course. This will help you grasp the core principles more easily.
Show steps
  • Read articles on relational database design.
  • Watch introductory videos on database normalization.
  • Complete a practice quiz on key database terms.
Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Bible
Explore a comprehensive guide to SQL Server 2008 to gain a deeper understanding of the platform. This book will provide additional context and details on the topics covered in the course.
Show steps
  • Read the chapters on database security and user management.
  • Study the sections on database backups and recovery.
  • Explore the chapters on performance tuning and optimization.
SQLZoo Tutorials
Practice SQL queries using SQLZoo to reinforce your understanding of DML and DDL. This will give you hands-on experience with writing SQL code.
Show steps
  • Complete the SQLZoo tutorials on SELECT statements.
  • Work through the tutorials on INSERT, UPDATE, and DELETE statements.
  • Practice creating and altering tables using DDL statements.
Three other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all six activities
SQL Queries for Mere Mortals: A Hands-On Guide to Data Manipulation in SQL
Supplement your learning with a comprehensive guide to SQL queries. This book will provide additional examples and explanations to deepen your understanding.
Show steps
  • Read the chapters on SELECT statements and filtering data.
  • Study the sections on joining tables and using subqueries.
  • Practice the examples provided in the book.
Design a Simple Database
Apply your knowledge by designing a simple database for a real-world scenario. This will help you understand how to structure data and create relationships between tables.
Show steps
  • Choose a scenario (e.g., library, online store, etc.).
  • Identify the entities and attributes for your database.
  • Create an ER diagram to visualize the database structure.
  • Implement the database schema in SQL Server.
Create a Database Backup and Restore Guide
Document the steps involved in backing up and restoring a SQL Server database. This will solidify your understanding of database administration tasks.
Show steps
  • Research different backup strategies in SQL Server.
  • Write a step-by-step guide on how to perform a full database backup.
  • Write a step-by-step guide on how to restore a database from a backup.
  • Include screenshots and examples in your guide.

Career center

Learners who complete Microsoft SQL Database Bootcamp: Get Microsoft Certified will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Database Administrator
A Database Administrator is responsible for the performance, integrity, and security of a database. This course helps you understand data storage, relational database concepts, and how to create and manipulate tables, skills that are crucial for a Database Administrator. The course also covers important topics such as database backups and restoration, as well as security concepts, allowing one to properly manage and protect data assets. Anyone looking to pursue a career as a Database Administrator should take this course.
Database Developer
Database Developers design and implement databases according to the requirements of an organization. This course helps a Database Developer by introducing core concepts such as how data is stored in tables, relational database concepts, and how to create stored procedures and functions, skills that are fundamental. The course also provides hands-on experience with creating database objects, which would be valuable to a Database Developer. Anyone seeking a career as a Database Developer should take this course.
Data Modeler
A Data Modeler designs and creates data models that represent an organization's data. This course helps a Data Modeler by providing an understanding of how data is stored, relational database concepts, and how to create tables. The concepts taught in this course, such as database normalization, primary keys, and foreign keys, are very relevant to the work of a Data Modeler. This course is a wise choice for anyone looking to become a Data Modeler.
Cloud Database Engineer
Cloud Database Engineers build and manage databases in cloud environments. This course will help a Cloud Database Engineer by teaching the fundamentals of database management, including how data is stored, relational database concepts, and how to create database objects. The course covers key topics like database security and backups, which are essential for Cloud Database Engineers. Anyone looking to become a Cloud Database Engineer should consider taking this course.
Data Architect
A Data Architect designs and manages an organization's data infrastructure. This course directly helps a Data Architect by providing foundational knowledge of database concepts such as data storage, relational databases, and table creation. The course covers important concepts such as data normalization, which directly helps a Data Architect as they plan and design data architectures. Anyone looking to start a career as a Data Architect should seriously consider taking this course.
Data Engineer
Data Engineers build and maintain the infrastructure for data processing and analysis. This course could be helpful to a Data Engineer by providing a foundation in database concepts, including data storage, relational databases, and creating database objects, which are important skills to a Data Engineer. The course covers data manipulation and creating stored procedures useful for managing and processing data. One could consider taking this course to become a Data Engineer.
Data Analyst
Data Analysts extract and interpret data to provide insights for business decisions. This course may be useful to a Data Analyst by helping them gain a foundational understanding of how data is structured and stored in databases. Learning about data manipulation, including inserting, updating and deleting data can assist a Data Analyst in extracting the exact data they need. Those looking to become a Data Analyst may find this course helpful.
Report Writer
A Report Writer designs and generates reports from databases. This course may be useful to a Report Writer as it teaches basic database concepts, including how data is stored and how to manipulate it using SQL. Understanding how to write SQL queries and work with various database concepts that this course covers will assist a Report Writer. Anyone hoping to become a Report Writer may find this course useful.
Business Intelligence Analyst
A Business Intelligence Analyst uses data to analyze business trends and provide actionable insights. This course may assist a Business Intelligence Analyst by providing a basic understanding of databases and data manipulation. Understanding core concepts such as how data is stored and how to create and manipulate tables may be valuable to a Business Intelligence Analyst. Those interested in a role as a Business Intelligence Analyst might benefit from this course.
Software Developer
Software Developers create and maintain software applications, often interacting with databases. This course may be helpful to a Software Developer as it teaches core database concepts such as how data is stored in tables, manipulating that data with insert, update and delete functionality, and creating views, functions and procedures. A Software Developer requires a basic understanding of databases to ensure smooth integration with any business application. This course may be useful to a Software Developer.
Information Architect
An Information Architect designs and organizes information systems and structures. This course can be useful to an Information Architect, who benefits from understanding how data is stored and structured within databases. Learning about relational database concepts and data normalization, which are covered in this course, is directly relevant to the work of an Information Architect. An Information Architect might find this course useful.
Systems Engineer
Systems Engineers design, implement, and manage complex systems, often involving databases. This course may be helpful to a Systems Engineer by providing them with fundamental database knowledge. Learning about relational database concepts and how to create and manipulate tables may be beneficial to a Systems Engineer when designing and integrating systems. Those seeking a role as a Systems Engineer may find this course useful.
Systems Analyst
Systems Analysts evaluate and improve computer systems and related processes, and often interact with data systems. This course may be useful to a Systems Analyst as it helps them to better understand the underlying database structure and functionality. The course specifically covers relational database concepts and how to create tables, which is important to a Systems Analyst. Those seeking a role as a Systems Analyst may benefit from a course such as this.
Technical Consultant
A Technical Consultant provides expert guidance on technology-related challenges and implementation. This course may be helpful for a Technical Consultant as it will give them a foundational understanding of database functionality. Learning about relational database concepts, security, and backups will help a Technical Consultant advise their clients on their database needs. A Technical Consultant may find this course useful.
IT Support Specialist
An IT Support Specialist provides technical support to users by resolving hardware and software issues. This course may be beneficial for an IT Support Specialist who will need a basic understanding of database administration which includes an understanding of security and backups. An IT Support Specialist may need to resolve database-related issues as well which makes a course on databases useful. Those looking to work as an IT Support Specialist may find this course helpful.

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 Microsoft SQL Database Bootcamp: Get Microsoft Certified.
Provides a practical, hands-on approach to learning SQL. It covers a wide range of SQL topics, from basic queries to advanced techniques. It is particularly useful for understanding how to manipulate data effectively. This book is commonly used as a reference by database professionals.
Provides a comprehensive overview of SQL Server 2008. It covers a wide range of topics, including database design, administration, and security. It is particularly useful for understanding the features and capabilities of SQL Server 2008. This book is more valuable as additional reading than it is as a current reference.

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