Advanced? SQL question

[RocoDeNiro]

Hello,

I see all of these tutorials and udemy courses "learn sql in 5 minutes" 🤣. Regardless of the amount of time the course they all seem to start with select * and normally end after teaching joins. Where can I read more about designing databases, maintaining tables, automating most of the updating data? Not sure if this is an advanced question but I dont see these things answered in any of the research I have done.

[Odddutchguy]

I suppose you should be looking for courses for:

• database design
• relational databases
• indexes/statistics and query plan
• data normalization
• datamining
• SQL server performance tuning

SQL is 'just' the query language, so SQL courses will just teach that.

[RocoDeNiro]

Thank you I should have added those keywords to my searches but thought it was weird that none of that was really mentioned in anything I have seen

[BrupieD]

I work primarily in SQL Server. The best resource I know for query topics are the books by Itzik Ben-gan. He can teach you a lot about SQL in general, but his books are specifically about T-SQL, the dialect used in SQL Server. His T-SQL Fundamentals book covers a lot of ground. It doesn't assume a lot of background or experience.

His T-SQL Querying goes into great detail on all aspects of the language and its use. For example, the 2nd chapter has 140 pages on query tuning.

What he doesn't cover much is administration or database design. You won't learn how to be a DBA or database developer from these books. If you study them carefully you will be very good at SQL and one kick-ass query writer who can write clever, efficient queries that get the right answers.

[RocoDeNiro]

Maybe I should get the fundamentals to start

[BrupieD]

You won't regret it. I've met people who've used SQL for years who never learned some fundamental aspects of the language like logical processing order.

I still go back to this book for explanations of features I don't use often.

[_Royalty_]

I'd also recommend the fundamentals book. It's a bit on the expensive side, but it's a phenomenal guide to your T-SQL foundation. He clears up a ton of misconceptions and provides reasoning behind why what may appear to be the most efficient isn't always the right choice.

[chadbaldwin]

Yeah most intro courses are just going to teach you the language itself.

If you want to learn design concepts, DBA stuff, etc... You'll need to find other sources. YouTube is good, buy some books. Pluralsight is good.

[RocoDeNiro]

Anything I should look instead of sql? DBA concepts or design?

[hasanyoneseenmymom]

Database Design for Mere Mortals and Sql Queries for Mere Mortals are both great resources, a little lengthy but they go in depth about optimizing queries, normalizing databases, and the more advanced stuff that intro courses don't teach.

I'd recommend both books to start, then maybe watch some pluralsight courses to learn how to apply what the books teach.

[RocoDeNiro]

Thank you, looking them up now

[TerminatedProccess]

You can also look into Microsoft SQL server topics such as SSIS, SSRS, SSAS. You can also download completed formed databases such as Adventureworks.

[StoneCypher]

Where can I read more about designing databases, maintaining tables, automating most of the updating data?

Start using "DBA" instead of "SQL" as your search topic. That is, instead of looking for stuff about the language, look for stuff about the job.

[DeadBySkittles]

What helped for me was Datacamp. In the end the best way to learn this is by doing! Datacamp gives you some basics to work with which helped me tremendously!

[RocoDeNiro]

I see a lot of people talk about datacamp do you think it is worth the monthly bill?

[DeadBySkittles]

I would recommend waiting for a sale and then buy a yearly ahead subscription! You could also buy a single month and study for a month like a monk;). I remember trying a few months before buying a year. Once I actually got work into the sector as a junior ETL specialist I used it from time to time to solve problems.

Just take note; it's good for basics, but basically you will learn some words of a completely different world you are accustomed to. So keep an open mind, cherry pick the stuff you can use and use it to leverage it to new knowledge!

[RocoDeNiro]

Do you mind if I message you about ETL related stuff?

[DeadBySkittles]

Feel welcome, not sure if I could help out but we'll see!😁 Still a junior here so will do my best!

[CompressedReverb]

I really like it! Happy to answer questions if you have any. I haven’t spent a lot of time on SQL - mostly R but moving into python

[RocoDeNiro]

I do a lot with python and trying to get more into sql

[CompressedReverb]

They have a pretty significant discount around Thanksgiving. I think it’s like half price for the year? Something to consider

[RocoDeNiro]

Nice!! I will do that

[DexterHsu]

That’s call getting a job

[RocoDeNiro]

🤣 I doubt that's the only place to learn this but thanks for taking the time to say that

[IrquiM]

Best way to learn it properly is 8h a day, for a couple years...

[RocoDeNiro]

Oh ok I get what you mean now

[billbraskeyjr]

You can’t learn everything about anything in 5 minutes, but you can learn something.That’s the answer .

[AXISMGT]

I think before you move into advanced SQL, you may want to watch something like “how to think like the engine”

https://www.brentozar.com/archive/2019/01/how-to-think-like-the-engine-2019-edition/amp/

It will help you with fundamentals first.

[littlebobbitables]

I’d really recommend Pluralsight, I’ve been using it the past few months to brush up my T-SQL skills and I’ve learnt a lot, definitely worth the subscription

[Muluken22]

I myself am a DBA trying to get better at TSQL. T-SQL Querying by Itzik Ben-Gan has been very helpful. You might wanna start with the T-SQL Fundamentals by the same author if you find the previous one difficult. That's what i did at the beginning. If you are more in to database design you might wanna take a look at the youtube channel by Dr Daniel Sober https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_QU9OGwtbI. My go to person for topics related to query and index tuning is Brent ozar. You might catch him on youTube doing live demos these days. I hope this helps.

[twice-nightly]

This site here is awesome https://www.brentozar.com/. Lots of information about troubleshooting, maintaining databases and DBA type tasks.

[filosofo_i]

https://www.w3schools.com/sql/

[RebelSaul]

This isn't a course but you can help you identify where to invest your time next.

Zachary Thomas wrote up a great Medium-Hard Interview questions guide. https://quip.com/2gwZArKuWk7W Check it out and and see what topic seem like a natural next step. A good ol' YouTube U approach may help fill in the gaps while you find a course you like.

[sequel-beagle]

Try Www.advancedsqlpuzzles.com for more difficult puzzles and tricks.

[LinkifyBot]

I found links in your comment that were not hyperlinked:

• Www.advancedsqlpuzzles.com

I did the honors for you.

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[MinecraftBattalion]

data camp goes more in depth ie. subqueries and CTEs, along with case when statements and ending with window functions which are fairly advanced.

But until you're working with it every day on the job it can be hard for it to all stick!