SQL is a popular programming language that lets you work with databases. SQL can be used to create objects such as tables and can be used to retrieve and store data in the database. SQL is a very important skill that any programmer should know and it is more popular than programming languages such as Python and Java.
SQL lets you manipulate data and can help in reporting and troubleshooting. SQL is very stable in terms of technology and has been used for a long time and will exist even in the future—by learning SQL, it is sure to serve you for a very long time. If you’re a computer science graduate or a beginner in programming or coding and want to learn SQL, then you’ve come to the right place for the best online resources.
In this article, we will be discussing some of the best online SQL courses that you can take up to master this technology.
The Complete SQL Bootcamp (Udemy)
The Complete SQL Bootcamp is an excellent course for beginners. Created by Jose Portilla, the self-paced course is offered by Udemy. The course does not require you to have any programming skills and consists of 8.5 hours of on-demand video lessons, 25 articles, and 16 downloadable resources. The course is very comprehensive and teaches you to use SQL to perform data analysis and query a database using PostgreSQL.
Excel to MySQL: Analytic Techniques for Business Specialization (Coursera)
If you work a lot with data and would like to make business decisions based on insights from datasets, then you’ll surely love this specialization. Offered by Duke University on the Coursera platform, the Excel to MySQL course is a beginner level course that you can complete in 7 months by dedicating 6 hours per week to study it. The specialization is taught by Daniel Egger, Pratt School of Engineering and Jana Schaich Borg, Social Science Research Institute. The specialization comprises 5 courses where you will learn to use tools and methods like Excel, MySQL and Tableau to create models and forecasts, analyze data, design visualizations, etc. At the end of the specialization, you will work on a project that will let you apply the techniques that have been covered in the classes.
SQL Essential Training (LinkedIn Learning – Lynda)
Taught by Bill Weinman, the SQL Essential Training is offered by Lynda. The course can be completed in around 3 hours. The course is designed to help you understand SQL and it teaches all the key features of the language such as creating tables, manipulating numbers, strings, and dates, defining relationships, using sub-selects, automating actions by using triggers, etc. The course enables you to learn the working knowledge of the language and demonstrates how you can retrieve data and manage it efficiently. The course also includes an example of how you can use SQL to build a simple application. All the lessons are recorded in SQLiteStudio, which is very easy to install and intuitive database manager.
Introduction to SQL (Pluralsight)
If you’re looking for a course to start learning SQL, then the Introduction to SQL by Pluralsight taught by Jon Flanders is a great option. The course will take around 3 hours to complete. In the course, you’ll learn the fundamentals of SQL, how to query data and shape the results. The course also teaches how to create and modify data in tables and basics of creating and using relational databases.
Intro to SQL: Querying and Managing Data (Khan Academy)
The Intro to SQL course teaches you to use SQL to store, manipulate and query data. The lessons comprise a video tutorial and a window that shows the changes in the database and the results of the queries that are performed in the SQL database. The exercises are supported by useful hints and documentation. The course consists of 5 parts – SQL basics, constructing SQL queries by using operators and joins and useful links and tips. Once you finish the course, then you need to complete an advanced project.
SQL Fundamentals (SoloLearn)
This course is offered by SoloLearn, which is an online SQL training platform, which offers different free courses related to programming languages. The SQL Fundamentals course is a fun and effective SQL resource and comprises of 27 lessons – basic concepts, filtering, subqueries and functions, table and JOIN operations and challenges. The course covers database fundamentals like query syntax, aggregate functions, filtering records and joining tables and advanced concepts such as set operations, views, and subqueries.
The lessons in the course are short and focused and allows you to finish the entire course very quickly. Every module in the course ends with an interactive quiz and the final module has a summary along with 2 challenges. SoloLearn is a user-friendly and convenient platform and the course lets you learn at your own pace from any type of device, your PC, smartphone or tablet.
MySQL Tutorial
If you want to learn MySQL in an easy, quick and fun way, then this website is a great option that offers a complete MySQL tutorial that is presented in a very simple manner. Every tutorial has screenshots and examples using SQL script. The website offers tutorials on managing SQL databases and how to manipulate data. The tutorials also demonstrate how you can do common tasks in MySQL by using techniques such as queries, stored procedures, triggers, database views, etc. You can familiarize yourself with the fundamentals of MySQL with the Basic MySQL tutorial that teaches how to create tables, modify and query data and manage databases. The site also has a MySQL tips section that offers tips and advanced techniques that enable you to solve difficult challenges effectively.
Introduction to Structured Query Language (SQL) (Coursera)
If you’re just beginning your SQL learning, then the Introduction to Structured Query Language course by the University of Michigan on the Coursera platform is the best choice for you. The intermediate-level course is part of the specialization, Web Applications for Everybody. It is very comprehensive and enables you to learn all the essential concepts of the SQL language. Taught by Professor Charles Russell Severance, the course can be completed in 10 hours. The course will teach you the fundamentals of SQL, how to create a MySQL database, installing a text editor, XAMPP or MAMP, single queries, foreign keys and JOIN operation.
Learn SQL (Codecademy)
Offered by Codecademy, this course teaches you how to communicate with relational databases by making use of SQL. The course can be completed in 7 hours. The course will teach you how to manipulate data by using SQL – how to create, access and update data that is stored in a database, perform queries, aggregate functions, and multiple tables.
The course starts by teaching basic concepts and gradually moves to lessons with increasing difficulty. The course focuses on learning mostly by working on projects. By the end of the course, you will have a solid understanding of the topics that have been covered and gain the confidence to use the skills in projects with greater difficulty. There is no prerequisite to get started on the course.
SQL for Data Analysis: Weekender Crash Course for Beginners (Udemy)
Taught by Peter Sefton and David Kim, the SQL for Data Analysis course is an excellent course for beginners offered on the Udemy platform. The course includes 3.5 hours of video lessons, 7 articles and 3 downloadable resources. The course teaches essential SQL concepts such as creating tables, a database, stored procedures and using statements like Insert, Select, Delete and Update.
The course makes use of MySQL database that you can download and install. The course also teaches other concepts such as connecting tables, grouping by aggregate and operator functions, joining on multiple conditions and other SQL functions and operators. The course also includes exercises that test your SQL knowledge. You do not need any technical knowledge to do this course.
As you can see, there are loads of resources available online where you can easily learn or brush up on your basics of SQL. Since most courses are free or fairly inexpensive (with free trial periods), you can try out more than one to see which ones work the best for you. Find the best online SQL course for you now. Happy learning!