SQL
Featured courses
What is SQL?
SQL stands for Structured Query Language and is a programming language that’s primarily used for working with data and databases. SQL allows your business to quickly and simply access data so it can operate with a high degree of accuracy and functionality.
What are the basics of SQL?
SQL is used to communicate with databases using a series of commands, which at first glance are relatively straightforward to interpret, even for those with little SQL knowledge. These include:
- INSERT - used to insert data into a table
- DELETE - used to delete data
- CREATE TABLE - used to create a table
- UPDATE - used to update a record
- COUNT - used to count the number of rows
However, other commands, such as INNER JOIN, WHERE, and HAVING are not quite as obvious.
What is SQL used for?
As we’ve already covered, SQL is used with databases and is the most commonly used database language. Any website that uses data processing and back-end data storage will likely use SQL. Websites that use SQL databases include Facebook, Instagram, SurveyMonkey, Twitter, Spotify, and a number of high-profile banking apps.
For example, in banking customers access a database to find transactions over a certain value between two specific dates. In marketing, data for specific demographics can be viewed which allows marketers to review the success of a campaign. This is all thanks to SQL.
Which employees work with SQL?
While many employees will use databases as part of their roles, few will oversee the performance of those databases. As a result, SQL isn’t something the majority of employees will need to learn, but there are employees within your business who will work with SQL in some capacity. Typically, these employees will include:
- Administrators, who manage how data is collated and organized
- Analysts, who use and manipulate data to draw conclusions
- Computer engineers, who design databases
- Software engineers, who work regularly with databases
- QA testers, who identify issues with software
What is SQL training?
Like many languages, SQL doesn’t change per se, but there are changes and evolutions to how it’s used. Employees who use it can also develop habits and fall into routines that mean they may not be using it as effectively as they could. There are also techniques and commands they may be unfamiliar with that they would benefit from developing.
This is where SQL training courses come in. Training courses provide your employees with up-to-date knowledge, best practices, and new skills so they can build and maintain highly functional databases, so the rest of your business can access data with ease.
How to take SQL training
There are several ways employees can learn SQL - the most common are in-person training and eLearning.
In-person training can be a useful way to learn. Training can either be delivered by bringing an expert into your business or at an external training facility. It can also be done remotely via video conferencing platforms. However, the cost of classroom-based learning can be high, including costs related to the tutor/teacher, as well as any travel and accommodation. These sessions also involve employees being away from their daily responsibilities for a prolonged period, which can interfere with deadlines and cause added pressure.
With eLearning, employees access pre-produced materials remotely, which means they’re affordable and flexible. eLearning is a useful learning tool for busy employees who may not be able to dedicate longer periods to development, but still want to learn and upskill.
What are the benefits of your employees taking SQL training?
The most obvious benefit of your employees taking SQL training courses is that they’ll have all the knowledge and skills they need to manage your data and databases, This ensures that your teams around the business can quickly, easily, and accurately access data as and when they need it. This means they can be productive and efficient, and effectively serve your customers and clients. If your customers access data themselves, it also ensures they have a consistently positive customer experience.
However, there are plenty of other benefits of your employees taking SQL training, both to your employees and your business.
Additional benefits to your business include:
- Retain top employees
- Promote from within
- Establish a learning culture
Benefits to your employees include:
- Produce better quality work
- Feel valued
- Have more confidence in their roles
- More opportunities to progress within your organization
Are SQL courses worth it?
In order to be an effective employee who works with data and databases, a certification in SQL isn’t necessary for most roles, however, the knowledge gained by taking a course certainly is.
Trying to learn SQL using a self-taught method, such as by reading blogs and tutorials, can be tricky. While the basics of SQL can be understood relatively easily, having the tools and data needed to put that knowledge into practice can be more of a challenge. With eLearning courses, interactive teaching methods ensure employees can test their new skills and retain what they’ve learned.
How much time does it take to learn SQL?
Because SQL is relatively simple to understand, learning the basics can take just a few sessions. For that reason, by taking an SQL crash course, employees unfamiliar with it should be able to develop an understanding in just a couple of weeks. Of course, this depends on the amount of time employees have available to dedicate to learning.
More advanced SQL may take a little longer. If employees don’t have prior knowledge, they’ll want to ensure they take an SQL beginners course before leaping into trickier topics.
With eLearning courses, even if employees don’t have a lot of free time, they still have an opportunity to learn and develop. Online courses are flexible and self-directed, so even with around 10 to 15 minutes of free time per week, an employee can complete a one-hour course in just a month.
What are the best online SQL training courses?
Useful SQL beginner training courses include:
For employees who know the basics and are looking to refresh their knowledge and upskill, intermediate and advanced courses include:
- Introduction to Upgrading SQL Server
- SQL Server Upgrades
- Use the SQL Server Query Tuning Assistant
- SQL Server 2016 Core, Part 1 of 3: Getting Started
- Migrate SQL Workloads to Azure SQL Databases
- The Applied SQL Data Analytics Workshop
Train your employees in SQL with Go1
Online courses are a flexible and cost-effective way to teach your employees SQL, and Go1 has a wide range of courses available to access right now. For more information on how Go1 can support your business’s training strategy, book a demo with a member of our team today.