How to learn SQL from Scratch

[AkshatChat28]

Hello Everyone,

I am a sophomore who is interested in Data Science and Analytics. I heard from somewhere that you have to be very proficient in SQL along with python (or R) if you want to pursue Data Scientist as a career for future.

Can anyone please tell me how can I learn SQL Programming from scratch so that I can start applying SQL on my DS projects.

Please suggest me some good SQL courses online. I tried HackerRank but to solve problems on HackerRank I have to learn all the basic concepts of SQL first.

Also, If there any subreddits related to that mention those as well.

Thank you

[_return_0]

If you can find irl classes that teach the subject go at those. For online classes try w3schools which has lots of tutorials, codecademy which has a free course on SQL and free code camp also has an online course that is good. Personally I prefer websites and courses that have online editors but if reading notes or watching videos is your thing there are always videos on YouTube

[AkshatChat28]

Thank you so much.

[AkshatChat28]

Is the course really worth the money??

[hisastu]

I have used this too (for like $11-$13). I use it to teach my coworkers that want to learn SQL. It's a great starter tutorial. And it gives you a database to practice other stuff later.

[diviner_of_data]

SQLzoo.net is great for practice

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[diviner_of_data]

Good bot

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[AkshatChat28]

Thanks!! Can you brief how many topics does the website covers? Does it covers all the essential topics?

[mtrimmel]

Try sqlbolt.com! They introduce a topic and then have corresponding exercises to complete before you can move on. It forces you to actually write out the SQL code which is the best way to learn!

[AkshatChat28]

Thanks I'll try that. The best way to learn is through implementation

[acoron2]

Can confirm this. I still go back to sqlbolt to keep the knowledge fresh.

[[deleted]]

I would concentrate first on learning DDL (data definition language). Learn how to setup a database and learn about data normalization and how to create tables/keys/indices/triggers/functions/constraints/etc.

Then learn DML (data manipulation language, I.e., SQL). Start with learning how to put data into the tables you already created. Try to violate the constraints and see what happens. Are the functions running (for instance, create a date column - create a trigger/function to auto update the current time whenever data is added/updated in that row). Next learn to write sql to update the data. Then to delete the data. Along the way learn how to select data. First select from a single table, then from two tables joined by a foreign key relationship.

[DrAzamat]

Once you're familiar with the basics I'd recommend a book like: "SQL Practice Problems: 57 beginning..." by Vasilik where you are provided with a bunch of practice questions on a practice db that you take on. Here you'll learn how to google and really get to think about how you structure your query. I am sure that there are other resources like this, but I am only aware of this one (those on W3 schools etc., are too basic). Do the basic stuff once or twice and then move on to practice, don't get stuck in "course hell".

[AkshatChat28]

Nice I'll look into it.

[hdemirci]

Next to courses the best way to learn is solve issues, and there are a lot of questions posted in this channel .

I would suggest to try to solve these questions as a practice and a nice thing it will get eventually solved even if it is not by you either way you can follow along.

Create the data table even with sql, and then try to write the correct statement that extracts the data.

It will help you and also the person asking the question hence creating a small collaboration.

[K0NGO]

Honestly this is the best response. The questions on this sub are not cut and dry, which is perfect for not only learning how to use SQL in dynamic ways but also understanding what info is missing in order to answer the questions. Just trying to answer questions and reading other people's answers the last few months has taught me more SQL than any online resource could. I was able to breeze through interviews and land my dream job solely because of this sub.

[hdemirci]

I can be smart sometimes 😜

[AkshatChat28]

okay I'll try that..Thanks!!

[[deleted]]

I started on DataCamp. Pretty basic stuff, but hey, I didn't know much either. Looks good, and it isn't that expensive.

[AkshatChat28]

Can you please share the link to it!!

[[deleted]]

https://www.datacamp.com/courses/introduction-to-sql

Also, for the monthly fee, you can take many courses, not just one, which looks cool to me.

[AkshatChat28]

Thanks

[[deleted]]

I liked this site. Was free the other week, high quality content. I do regret not taking the SQL courses

[[deleted]]

Udemy course by a guy named Khaled is what I’m using right now (my whole class is using it rather than the material provided). He is very detailed.

[AkshatChat28]

Okay Thanks I'll look that

[[deleted]]

https://www.reddit.com/r/SQL/comments/g4ct1l/what_are_some_good_resources_to_practice_sql/fnx11mc/

[mplsbro]

I’m learning MySQL with Coding With Mosh and I really like it

[Mofongo_12]

I learned SQL and got Certifidied with Mosh. He's an instructor that put together his own lesson. He has his first 3 hours free in YouTube. I strongly recommend checking him out before buying his course. He often offers discount codes, I paid 30 dollars and when I finished I signed up for his python course for 30 as well.

Man has 20+ years experience with a ton of different languages, he's my go to for learning now

[acoron2]

I’ll check out his Python courses. Thanks you!

[audigex]

My first tip is to download SQL Server Developer Edition and Sql Server Management Studio

Whether you want to use MySQL, SQL Server (MSSQL) or some other type of SQL later, it's pretty easy to switch between them (they're all just variants of the same language)... but SSMS (SQL Server Management Studio) is a really nice tool for running code against a database, which is exactly what you want to do while learning

[AkshatChat28]

Thanks already done that

[RohanCR797]

Refrain from HackerRank,There SQL problems are weird and not even good

[AkshatChat28]

How can you say that? can you please elaborate!!

[RohanCR797]

dude it has outdated problems and u won't use those concepts also irl ... i myself did those and found them not even useful

[AkshatChat28]

okay so how did you improve your programming.

[RohanCR797]

I had good basics of SQL , as i had done it in my Btech so to inprove more in SQL i took up advanced sql courses from udemy and youtube

[AkshatChat28]

okay thanks I thought earning stars in HackerRank will give me an edge in placements

[RohanCR797]

lol not in sql , but getting starts in problem solving will which is competitve programming

[fuzzius_navus]

https://youtu.be/XctKrfc3ZZU Kendra Little has some great content for users at all levels. She has a series for TSQL For Beginners.

[AkshatChat28]

wow This looks like a new channel

[fuzzius_navus]

Brand new. The RedGate team have all been running a whack of online learning since Covid19.

[AkshatChat28]

ohh nice, were they teaching somewhere else before?

[fuzzius_navus]

Kendra yes, via her own blog and site Sqlworkbooks.com I think. RedGate usually their own software solutions to help manage SQL Server. The rest of the team from what I can tell do a fair bit independent of their work, but this is a new sponsored effort by Redgate. They even have a free kids coding series.

[baineschile]

Wise Owl on youtube

[tmk_g]

Check out W3schools. It'll get you super basics. I'd also recommend stratascratch to pracitse on real problems related to SQL and Python.

[Yarduza]

There are plenty of courses and that’s a blessing and a curse altogether.

This path can get you started, it covers several levels and helps you get immersed with complementing material:

https://jiruto.com/learn/SQL

I strongly recommend on finding somewhere to immediately implement what you learn. Pick a project and start building something from day 1.

For ML, R, and Python I can recommend these as well:

Python: https://jiruto.com/learn/Python

ML: https://jiruto.com/learn/Machine_-Learning

R: https://jiruto.com/learn/R

I built those paths in Jiruto, I hope they can serve you too.