This course develops practical SQL Server skills, starting with database design and basic Transact-SQL (T-SQL) and progressing to intermediate queries, reusable database objects, transactions, performance, and essential administration. Participants finish by building a small database solution that brings the course topics together.
Duration 5 Days – 35 hrs.
Objectives
- Create databases and tables using appropriate data types, keys, and constraints.
- Retrieve, filter, join, and summarize data with T-SQL.
- Add, update, and delete data safely.
- Write subqueries, common table expressions, and window functions.
- Create views and parameterized stored procedures.
- Use transactions to protect multi-step data changes.
- Apply basic indexing and query performance techniques.
- Manage basic permissions and perform database backup and restore tasks.
- Build a small SQL Server database solution using these skills.
Target Audience
- Aspiring database developers and administrators
- Application developers who work with SQL Server
- Data analysts and report developers
- IT professionals who support database applications
Prerequisites
- Basic computer and file management skills
- Familiarity with tables, rows, and columns
- Basic programming or database knowledge is helpful but not required
Course Outline
Day 1 — SQL Server foundations
Module 1: Introduction to SQL Server
- SQL Server components and common uses
- Connecting with SQL Server Management Studio
- Databases, schemas, tables, and objects
Module 2: Database and table design
- Data types and null values
- Primary and foreign keys
- Constraints and relationships
- Creating and modifying databases and tables
Day 2 — Querying and changing data
Module 3: T-SQL query fundamentals
- SELECT, aliases, and calculated columns
- Filtering, sorting, and limiting results
- Working with strings, dates, and null values
Module 4: Data modification and joins
- INSERT, UPDATE, and DELETE
- Inner and outer joins
- Joining multiple tables
- Avoiding unintended data changes
Day 3 — Intermediate querying
Module 5: Aggregation and subqueries
- Aggregate functions
- GROUP BY and HAVING
- Subqueries and correlated subqueries
- Common table expressions
Module 6: Analytical queries
- CASE expressions
- Ranking and window functions
- Combining results with UNION and UNION ALL
Day 4 — Reusable database logic and data integrity
Module 7: Views and stored procedures
- Creating and using views
- Creating stored procedures with parameters
- Basic error handling
Module 8: Transactions
- Beginning, committing, and rolling back transactions
- Data consistency and concurrent changes
- Protecting multi-step updates
Day 5 — Performance, administration, and capstone
Module 9: Query performance basics
- Clustered and nonclustered indexes
- Reading basic execution plans
- Common causes of slow queries
Module 10: Essential database administration
- Logins, users, roles, and permissions
- Full database backups and basic restores
- Routine maintenance considerations
Module 11: Capstone — Build a Small SQL Server Database Solution
- Design related tables for a sample business scenario
- Load and update sample data
- Write queries that join, filter, and summarize the data
- Create a view and a parameterized stored procedure
- Apply a transaction, an index, and basic access permissions
- Back up the completed database

