Introduction to SQL in Two Hours: A Beginner’s Guide

In today’s world, data is everywhere, and its management has become a critical skill in various industries. Structured Query Language (SQL) is a programming language used to manage and manipulate data stored in relational databases. SQL is a vital tool in the data industry, and its demand is on the rise. In this article, we will provide a comprehensive overview of SQL and guide you through the process of mastering the basics in just two hours.

Section 1: Understanding Relational Databases

A relational database is a structured way of storing data in tables that are related to each other. It allows users to easily access, manage, and update large amounts of data in an organized manner. In Subsection 1.1, we will provide an introduction to relational databases and explain how they differ from other types of databases. We will also cover the basic terminology used in relational databases, such as tables, rows, and columns, and how they relate to each other. By the end of this subsection, you will have a fundamental understanding of what a relational database is and how it can be used to store and manage data efficiently.

Let’s provide an example to better understand how to use SQL for a table and manipulate it. We can consider the following table of employees which we have generated randomly. I will explain how you can generate it, but alternatively, you can download the ‘db’ file of this table here and import it into your SQL software.

Once you open the file by selecting ‘File’ and then ‘Open Database’, the table will be added to your database, as shown in the figure below, and you can begin working with it.

Here are some basic commands to read the table and its columns or rows. In the figure above, we have entered the following line of code to read the entire table:

SELECT * FROM employees

When you put an asterisk (*) after SELECT, it reads all the columns in the table. It does not matter if you write SELECT or select; however, note that SQL software is case-sensitive to the characters in your table. While it does not care about the case of its built-in commands like SELECT/select, it considers ‘Age’ and ‘age’ to be two distinct names.

• Reading columns

To read every column of the table, you can write its name instead of the asterisk symbol. For example, you can use the following command to display every column in the ’employees’ table:

SELECT age FROM employees

If you would like to see more than one specific column, you can separate the names with commas, as follows:

SELECT id, name, age FROM employees

By doing this, SQL will return only the specified columns in the result set, which can help to make your queries more efficient.

• Selecting rows using WHERE clause

Selecting rows using WHERE clause is a common method of filtering data in a table by specifying certain conditions. The WHERE clause is used in SQL queries to retrieve data that meets specific criteria or conditions.

For example, if you want to retrieve all the employees whose age is greater than 25 from an ‘Employees’ table, you can use the following SQL command:

SELECT * FROM Employees WHERE Age > 25

This will return all rows from the ‘Employees’ table where the age is greater than 25. The WHERE clause can be used to filter data based on a variety of conditions, including equal to (=), less than (<), greater than (>), not equal to (<>), and more.

Subsection 1.2: Data Organization and Best Practices

In Subsection 1.2, we will explore how data is organized within a relational database and cover some best practices for creating and maintaining databases. We will discuss the importance of defining a clear data model to ensure data integrity and consistency, and how to design efficient tables that minimize redundancy and improve query performance. We will also touch on normalization, which is the process of organizing data in a way that reduces duplication and ensures data consistency. Additionally, we will cover some best practices for managing and securing data, such as using backups, access control, and encryption. By the end of this subsection, you will have a solid understanding of how data is organized in a relational database and some best practices for designing and maintaining them.

Section 2: Writing SQL Queries

Subsection 2.1: Introduction to SQL Syntax

In Section 2, we will dive into the practical application of SQL by exploring how to write queries to extract data from a relational database. In Subsection 2.1, we will provide an introduction to SQL syntax and cover the basic structure of a SQL query. We will explain the purpose of keywords such as SELECT, FROM, and WHERE, and show how they can be combined to filter and sort data. We will also cover some basic functions and operators that can be used in SQL, such as COUNT, MAX, MIN, and LIKE. By the end of this subsection, you will have a basic understanding of SQL syntax and be able to write simple queries to extract data from a database.

Subsection 2.2: Filtering and Sorting Data

In Subsection 2.2, we will explore how to filter and sort data using SQL queries. We will cover the various ways to filter data based on specific conditions using the WHERE clause and logical operators such as AND, OR, and NOT. We will also show how to sort data using the ORDER BY clause and how to control the direction of the sorting using ASC and DESC keywords. We will also discuss how to limit the number of results returned by a query using the LIMIT and OFFSET clauses. Additionally, we will cover some common data types used in SQL, such as numbers, strings, and dates, and how to compare and manipulate them in queries. By the end of this subsection, you will have a solid understanding of how to filter and sort data using SQL queries and be able to write more complex queries to extract data from a database.

Subsection 2.3: Joining Tables

In Subsection 2.3, we will explore how to join tables in SQL to extract data from multiple tables in a relational database. We will cover the different types of joins, including INNER JOIN, LEFT JOIN, RIGHT JOIN, and FULL OUTER JOIN, and when to use each type based on the data you want to retrieve. We will also cover how to join tables on multiple columns and how to use aliases to simplify queries. Additionally, we will discuss how to use subqueries to extract data from one table based on data from another table. By the end of this subsection, you will have a solid understanding of how to join tables in SQL and be able to write more complex queries to extract data from a database with multiple related tables.

Subsection 2.4: Grouping and Aggregating Data

In Subsection 2.4, we will explore how to group and aggregate data using SQL queries. We will cover the GROUP BY clause and how to use it to group data based on one or more columns. We will also discuss aggregate functions, such as SUM, AVG, COUNT, and MAX, and how to use them to perform calculations on grouped data. We will also cover the HAVING clause, which allows you to filter the results of a grouped query based on aggregate calculations. Additionally, we will discuss how to use the GROUPING SETS and ROLLUP clauses to generate subtotals and grand totals in grouped queries. By the end of this subsection, you will have a solid understanding of how to group and aggregate data using SQL queries and be able to write more complex queries to extract summarized data from a database.

Subsection 2.5: Customizing and Saving Query Results

In Subsection 2.5, we will explore how to customize and save query results using SQL queries. We will cover how to use the AS keyword to rename columns in query results and how to use the CONCAT function to combine multiple columns into a single column. We will also discuss how to use the DISTINCT keyword to remove duplicate rows from query results. Additionally, we will cover how to use the INTO clause to save query results to a new table or file, and how to export query results to various formats, such as CSV and Excel. Finally, we will cover some advanced topics, such as using window functions to perform calculations over a set of rows, and using common table expressions to simplify complex queries. By the end of this subsection, you will have a solid understanding of how to customize and save query results using SQL queries and be able to write more advanced queries to extract and manipulate data from a database.

Section 3: PostgreSQL and SQL Server

Subsection 3.1: Introduction to PostgreSQL and SQL Server

In Subsection 3.1, we will provide an introduction to PostgreSQL and SQL Server, two of the most popular SQL database management systems. We will cover the history and background of each system, including their development, features, and popularity. We will also discuss the differences and similarities between the two systems, including their data types, SQL syntax, and administration tools. Additionally, we will explore the different applications and use cases for each system, including their strengths and weaknesses. By the end of this subsection, you will have a solid understanding of the features and capabilities of PostgreSQL and SQL Server and be able to choose the best system for your specific data management needs.

Subsection 3.2: Hands-On Experience

In Subsection 3.2, we will provide hands-on experience with both PostgreSQL and SQL Server, allowing you to practice using the systems and applying the skills you have learned in previous subsections. We will cover how to install and set up each system, how to create and manage databases and tables, and how to insert, update, and delete data using SQL commands. Additionally, we will explore the different administration and management tools available for each system, including command-line tools, graphical user interfaces, and web-based interfaces. By the end of this subsection, you will have practical experience with both PostgreSQL and SQL Server and be able to use them to manage and manipulate data in a relational database environment.