SQL and Relational Databases for Analysts

Duhallow Grey Geek

Course Summary

This course teaches the principles of Relational Databases and the SQL language. It is intended for "Analysts". Knowledge of Relational Databases and SQL is one of the most valued technical skills an analyst can have. It will make you a more valued member of any team. For a limited period I am offering this course at 30% of the nor

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Course Description
This course is suitable for a novice. I start by explaining how Relational Databases relate to your experience in the everyday world. When you have completed the course and exercises you will have created a database containing several related tables, updated the data they contain and written many queries which extract and summarise that data.

I teach using a mixture of lectures, demonstrations and exercises. You will learn by seeing, hearing and doing. With each step you build your knowledge using what you have learned already. An on-line course sets you free to work at your own pace and to review and revisit earlier material, even after you have completed the course.
- By the end of the course you will have created databases, containing several tables and associated objects.
- You will have added, updated and deleted data in those tables.
- You will have created report queries which retrieve and manipulate that data.
- You will have changed what a user is allowed to see and do in a database.

Course Description

This course is suitable for a novice. I start by explaining how Relational Databases relate to your experience in the everyday world. When you have completed the course and exercises you will have created a database containing several related tables, updated the data they contain and written many queries which extract and summarise that data.

I teach using a mixture of lectures, demonstrations and exercises. You will learn by seeing, hearing and doing. With each step you build your knowledge using what you have learned already. An on-line course sets you free to work at your own pace and to review and revisit earlier material, even after you have completed the course.

By the end of the course you will have created databases, containing several tables and associated objects.
You will have added, updated and deleted data in those tables.
You will have created report queries which retrieve and manipulate that data.
You will have changed what a user is allowed to see and do in a database.

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Course Syllabus
- Section 1: Introductions: The course, databases and the tools
- Section 2: Structured Query Language (SQL), DML and SELECT
- Section 3: Introducing Derived Columns and Functions
- Section 4: Changing data in a table
- Section 5: More with SELECT
- Section 6: The Database Manager and the Database Administrator
- Section 7: Defining the database: Data Definition Language (DDL)
- Section 8: NULL: a load of fuss over nothing!
- Section 9: A question of identity?
- Section 10: Indexes
- Section 11: Normalization, Data Modelling and JOIN
- Section 12: Temporary tables and VIEWs
- Section 13: Securing the database: Data Control Language (DCL)
- Section 14: Course review
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Recommended Background
- The primary requirement for this course is an inquisitive, analytical mind. You want to "understand how things work."
- You do not need to be a programmer or mathematician. What little programming or mathematics is needed, I will explain during the course.
- If you are going to do the exercises, then you will need a PC capable of running MS SQL Server, and have Administrator authority to install software.
- You will find the course easier if you have experience using a text editor such as Notepad, or Word, and a spreadsheet such as Excel. You should also know how to create and use subdirectories in the Windows directory structure.
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Course Format

This course contains 7 hours of video content in 56 lectures organised into 14 sections.

Typically, each section will contain lectures and demonstrations. In most sections there are practical exercises and sometimes there are additional reading assignments. As you progress you can test yourself in 13 quizzes.

You can revisit earlier parts of the course at any time.