SQL Basic to Intermediate Course Overview

The SQL Basic to Intermediate Training Course provides participants with a practical foundation in Structured Query Language (SQL) for accessing, organizing, manipulating, and analyzing data stored in relational databases. It begins with database and SQL fundamentals before progressing to data filtering, built-in functions, aggregation, joins, subqueries, data modification, database objects, transactions, and introductory query optimization.

Participants will develop the skills needed to write accurate, efficient, and maintainable SQL statements for common business, reporting, application development, and data analysis requirements. The course covers generally accepted ANSI SQL concepts while acknowledging that certain commands and syntax may vary among database management systems.

Duration 4 Days – 28 hrs.

 

Objectives 

• Explain fundamental relational database concepts and SQL terminology.
• Identify tables, rows, columns, relationships, primary keys, and foreign keys.
• Retrieve data using basic and intermediate SELECT statements.
• Filter, sort, format, and limit query results.
• Use arithmetic, comparison, logical, and pattern-matching operators.
• Apply string, numeric, date, conversion, conditional, and null-handling functions.
• Summarize and group data using aggregate functions.
• Combine related data from multiple tables using joins.
• Combine query results using set operators.
• Write single-row, multiple-row, and correlated subqueries.
• Organize complex queries using common table expressions.
• Insert, update, and delete database records safely.
• Apply transaction-control statements to maintain data consistency.
• Create and manage tables, constraints, views, and indexes.
• Follow accepted SQL coding and introductory query-optimization practices.

 

 Target Audience 

• Beginning database users who need practical SQL skills
• Data analysts and reporting professionals
• Business intelligence practitioners
• Application and software developers
• Database support personnel
• Quality assurance and software testing professionals
• System analysts and business analysts
• Technical support specialists
• IT professionals who work with relational databases
• Individuals preparing for database-related roles or advanced SQL training

 

Prerequisites

• Basic computer literacy
• Experience using common desktop applications
• Familiarity with organizing and interpreting tabular data
• Basic understanding of information systems or business data
• No previous SQL or database programming experience is required
• Access to a computer with a supported relational database environment

 

Course Outline 

Day 1 — SQL and Relational Database Fundamentals

Module 1: Introduction to Databases and SQL

• Purpose and uses of databases
• Relational database concepts
• Database management systems
• Tables, rows, columns, and relationships
• Primary keys and foreign keys
• Overview of SQL statement categories
• Common SQL standards and database platforms

 Module 2: Retrieving Data with SELECT

• Structure of a basic SQL query
• Selecting specific columns
• Retrieving all columns
• Using column aliases
• Eliminating duplicate records with DISTINCT
• Performing arithmetic calculations
• Working with literal values
• Writing readable SQL statements

 Module 3: Filtering Data

• Using the WHERE clause
• Comparison operators
• Logical operators
• Operator precedence
• Using BETWEEN and IN
• Pattern matching with LIKE
• Working with wildcard characters
• Handling null values
• Combining multiple search conditions

 Module 4: Sorting and Limiting Query Results

• Sorting data with ORDER BY
• Ascending and descending order
• Sorting by multiple columns
• Sorting using column aliases
• Limiting returned rows
• Applying basic pagination concepts

  

Day 2 — Functions, Aggregation, and Data Analysis

Module 5: Using String and Numeric Functions

• Changing the case of text
• Extracting and replacing text
• Trimming and concatenating values
• Determining string length
• Rounding and truncating numbers
• Performing numeric calculations
• Nesting SQL functions

 Module 6: Working with Dates, Conversions, and Null Values

• Understanding date and time values
• Performing date calculations
• Extracting date components
• Formatting dates and numbers
• Converting between data types
• Handling null values
• Using conditional expressions
• Applying CASE expressions

 Module 7: Summarizing Data with Aggregate Functions

• Using COUNT, SUM, AVG, MIN, and MAX
• Aggregating distinct values
• Understanding aggregate behavior with null values
• Combining aggregate functions
• Producing summary information

 Module 8: Grouping and Filtering Summarized Data

• Grouping records with GROUP BY
• Grouping by multiple columns
• Filtering groups with HAVING
• Differences between WHERE and HAVING
• Sorting grouped results
• Avoiding common aggregation errors

  

Day 3 — Joins and Intermediate Query Techniques

Module 9: Combining Data with Joins

• Understanding table relationships
• Defining join conditions
• Using table aliases
• Inner joins
• Left and right outer joins
• Full outer joins
• Self-joins
• Cross joins
• Joining more than two tables
• Avoiding unintended Cartesian products

 Module 10: Working with Set Operators

• Combining query results
• Using UNION
• Using UNION ALL
• Using INTERSECT
• Using EXCEPT or MINUS
• Column compatibility requirements
• Sorting combined results
• Choosing between joins and set operators

 Module 11: Using Subqueries

• Introduction to subqueries
• Single-row subqueries
• Multiple-row subqueries
• Subqueries in filtering conditions
• Correlated subqueries
• Using EXISTS and NOT EXISTS
• Subqueries in the FROM clause
• Choosing between joins and subqueries

 Module 12: Common Table Expressions and Advanced Data Retrieval

• Introduction to common table expressions
• Structuring queries with the WITH clause
• Referencing common table expressions
• Using multiple common table expressions
• Simplifying complex queries
• Introduction to recursive query concepts
• Applying intermediate retrieval techniques

 

 Day 4 — Data Management and Query Optimization

Module 13: Manipulating Data

• Adding records with INSERT
• Inserting multiple records
• Updating records with UPDATE
• Deleting records with DELETE
• Applying conditions safely
• Copying data between tables
• Recognizing common data-manipulation errors

 Module 14: Transactions and Data Integrity

• Understanding database transactions
• Transaction properties
• Committing changes
• Rolling back changes
• Using savepoints
• Managing transaction boundaries
• Maintaining data consistency
• Introduction to concurrent database activity

 Module 15: Creating and Managing Database Objects

• Introduction to data definition language
• Creating tables
• Selecting appropriate data types
• Defining primary and foreign keys
• Applying NOT NULL, UNIQUE, CHECK, and DEFAULT constraints
• Modifying table structures
• Removing database objects
• Creating and using views
• Creating and using indexes

 Module 16: SQL Coding Practices and Query Optimization Basics

• Structuring readable SQL statements
• Applying consistent naming conventions
• Using aliases and comments effectively
• Avoiding unnecessary columns and records
• Understanding the purpose of indexes
• Recognizing operations that may reduce performance
• Reviewing query execution plans at a basic level
• Writing maintainable and efficient SQL queries
• Applying SQL techniques to integrated business scenarios