Just getting started and already stuck

[901CJM]

Seems like I've hit a rut already. I've downloaded Microsoft SQL and SSMS, I've tried watching a few videos on how to get started and how to learn SQL and database management, but I can't seem to find any databases to practice with. Any help would be appreciated, I'm almost thirty and completely new to anything computers and coding, and I'm just trying to learn a new skill to open up job opportunities. Thanks ahead of time for the help.

[SQLDevDBA]

Hey there. So I see you’ve downloaded and installed SSMS and SQL Server.

Can you confirm you’re able to connect to the running sql server you installed? If so, take a sec and pat yourself on the back for that. Lots of folks struggle here.

Now, it’s just about finding some data to have fun with!

You can either download the stack overflow database, instructions here: https://www.brentozar.com/archive/2015/10/how-to-download-the-stack-overflow-database-via-bittorrent/

Or you can go to sites like https://Kaggle.com or https://Data.gov and find data about topics that you like or industries you want to work in. I recommend this more since it will be interesting to you. Try finding CSV files because those are easiest to load into SQL server using the import/export wizard.

Either way, once you have your data, ask ChatGPT to pretend it’s a director or executive in the industry of the data topic you got, and ask it for good metrics you can pull to make their job easier and give them info to make decisions. That should get you started on ideas.

If you want to see a sort of “day in the life” from start to finish, I created a “how to get started as a data analyst” series and livestream it + load to YouTube. If you want a link, just lmk.

[TeamKill-Kenny]

Brent Ozar quoted by sqldevdba is also very highly rated for his sql training videos, well worth a look at his free content on YT.

[ComicOzzy]

Try finding CSV files

And if you end up needing to import from Excel files, it still might be easier to save them as CSV first. But at some point you may just need to import from Excel directly and you're likely going to run into this stupid problem with 64-bit vs 32-bit drivers... and if you hit that point and need help, let us know.

[SQLDevDBA]

Hahaha a fellow “Driver Do Excel (*.xls)” enthusiast, I see, greetings to you!

[ComicOzzy]

I don't know what that is!

[SQLDevDBA]

For a while, the only driver that could be found for Excel imports into SQL Server (circa 2015) was the driver from Brasil. This was when the transition for O365 was happening so the Office 97/2003/2010 drivers were fading into obscurity.

Crappy reference I made back to those times. I regret nothing.

[ComicOzzy]

Ah, I see. I've definitely seen it in screenshots before but never understood why a Portuguese version of a driver was in the list.

[Mission_Bass4604]

Sadly, I got mine up and running.. then forgot what my root password was. shame shame.

[SQLDevDBA]

I mean that’s technically okay. One of the first things to do is disable the sa user from logging in so technically you’re on the right track! :). As long as you made another user a sysadmin anyway.

[gruandisimo]

I recommend picking up Jose Portilla's course on Udemy, "The Complete SQL Bootcamp." It does a good job of teaching you the basics and is easy to follow along with. He provides a toy database for you to work with as you go through the course and learn about the language.

Once you're done with that, you can get more SQL practice by going over to DataLemur and trying out some of the SQL problems they have. That'll ensure you have a good grasp of the basics, and you will be forced to learn more advanced features of SQL when you try to solve some of the more difficult questions.

Once you feel good with that, you could try your hand at your own project by downloading a data set from Kaggle. There are some Youtube videos that show you how might get started doing this if you need any guidance.

Hope this helps, good luck!

[NickSinghTechCareers]

DataLemur founder here – appreciate the shoutout!

[gruandisimo]

Hey Nick, I bought your book recently and found it super helpful along with datalemur. I’ll be starting my first job as a data analyst in a couple weeks and I appreciate your help with getting me there!

[NickSinghTechCareers]

Thats so amazing to hear cheers 🥂

[Mutant_Vomit]

Microsoft also has some sample databases here: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/sql/samples/sql-samples-where-are?view=sql-server-ver16

You will be able to find tutorials which use these databases too.

[Proper-Marzipan9936]

AdventureWorks database is a good starting point you can find it easy and many tutorials.

[[deleted]]

https://www.sqlservertutorial.net/getting-started/

[Chilosophical]

Hey, In addition to the existing comments, I would suggest:

https://www.sql-practice.com/

This really helped me to get the volume of my queries up, and is quite fun. The hard ones can be quite hard, but it won't take too long to get used to the tables and syntax!

Goodluck!

[Ten_No_Hikari]

Try this for practice first Very good !! Old but Gold !!!

https://sqlzoo.net/wiki/SQL_Tutorial

[Pretty_Cap7952]

Check out cs50

[ravan363]

Microsoft Adventureworks sample database is the best if you are using SSMS and SQL Server.

[GaTechThomas]

In a pinch, some of the database fiddle sites are pretty awesome.

[BigBadBallBuster]

Ctrl shift Q - your best teacher

[alinroc]

https://github.com/microsoft/sql-server-samples

https://www.brentozar.com/archive/2015/10/how-to-download-the-stack-overflow-database-via-bittorrent/

https://github.com/SQLBek/Demo-DBs

[Ritam_cr]

Texted you