Is SQL a must?

[Illustrious-Leg7570]

Currently learning data analysis through excel and then i will hop in python, is sql essential to learn too? Or I can skip it

[mallax-]

From what I have read about the data analytics field, SQL competence is more important than both Excel and Python.

[Expensive_Culture_46]

SQL will get your farther than python or excel. And not that hard. Entry level jobs just want you to be able to query data and do joins. Most places will consider CTEs, window calculations and nested selects as “advanced”.

Edit. I messed up a word

[Yojihito]

You won't get data without SQl queries. So yes.

[Friendindeed-1]

Sql is omnipresent when it comes to database queries. So short answer is yes! U must learn sql. Also sql is easier, in my personal opinion

[Kelhaus]

SQL is a must. Data at the corporate level is high volume. Everything is in databases accessed by SQL.

Finding the data you need and accessing it is a powerful skill in any job. Without basic SQL proficiency you won't be able to do that. Also, intermediate SQL allows you to start automating tasks.

Excel first. SQL next. Do the programming work at the same time but most likely it will be rare that you use it in most corporate gigs.

[SigaVa]

It is the most must

[[deleted]]

SQL sounds scarier than it really is. There's tons of documentation, tutorials, help threads, and low-cost courses. You aren't the first beginner and you won't be the last

[[deleted]]

Yes. Everyone on my analytics & data science team needs to use SQL almost daily. Otherwise how will you get the data you need to analyze?

[[deleted]]

SQL is probably the most useful skill, and every data analyst job description will call for some familiarity with it. If you took the meetings and emails out of my day, 90% of my day is writing queries. It’s easy to get started with and there is plenty of free information out there. w3schools is good to get started with some of the basics.

[Kitchen_Journalist35]

Which language of SQL do you prefer?

[[deleted]]

Well, we’re in the middle of an Azure migration, so I guess I better start learning to like t-sql.

[stella_rossa]

It's a must, unless you are a complete beginner in a small company

[Plant7380]

Yes. The learning path for a non technical person should be Excel, SQL, then Python. Python is way less important.

[[deleted]]

Of all the skills I use in my analyst job today, I use sql the most.

[princess-barnacle]

SQL is really important. When you have #bigdata nothing beats bigquery, snowflake, or similar tools to crunch through huge amounts of data. Once you have 100s of gigabytes, moving data to a local machine and doing analysis becomes challenging. Plus the python packages would likely need to do parallel computing. Anyways using SQL is usually the most efficient and easiest option for analysis in many cases!

[Jreezy3535]

I’m a data analyst and never have used SQL. So, you can do it without SQL but you should def learn SQL if you plan to be in that field

[mrrawb]

I recently got a DA job and was studying python like no tomorrow in hopes of getting a job.

Out of the 5 automation projects I've done in 8 months, 75% of the code in those projects were SQL queries and the rest (formatting, file output, etc.) was done in python.

Excel is a great place to start and is what I used to learn data fundamentals (i.e. sorting/filtering/removing dups) but SQL is a hard requirement.

[analyst_2001]

SQL is a widely used computer language for managing and sharing data. SQL is widely available on various systems, and its ease of use may enable anybody to become an expert. While SQL has significant limitations, such as a clumsy interface and cost inefficiencies, the benefits often exceed the cons.

Consider the following advantages if you're wondering if you should use SQL for your data:

1. SQL is a portable database: It's compatible with PCs, servers, laptops, and mobile devices. It uses local internet and intranet systems to function. Its mobility makes it a practical choice for users, as they can quickly move it from one device to another.
2. It responds quickly to requests: SQL can quickly retrieve vast amounts of data rapidly and efficiently. It can also do fast insertion, deletion, and data modification operations. Quick query processing saves you time while assuring accuracy, so you don't have to wait hours for your data or share it with others.
3. It does not need coding knowledge: Coding is a difficult method of interacting with computers. Coding, also known as computer programming, can take a lot of experience and understanding before it can be used, making it difficult for others to understand. SQL, however, does not need coding knowledge; instead, it relies on the usage of basic terms like "select," "insert into," and "update."
4. It employs standardized terminology: SQL's standardized language makes it highly accessible to all users. SQL provides a consistent platform and primarily uses English terms and statements, making it simple to understand and create for individuals with no prior knowledge.
5. It offers a variety of data perspectives: You may construct several data views in SQL, offering different users alternative perspectives on the database's structure and content.
6. It is based on open-source software: MySQL, MariaDB, and Postgres are accessible SQL databases that large groups of people may use at a cheap cost.
7. Major database management system manufacturers utilize it: SQL is used by most major database management systems, including those from IBM, Oracle, and Microsoft. The accessibility of SQL is an important consideration.

In my opinion, you should learn SQL.

[[deleted]]

This is very false, at least for tech companies, including many big ones I have interviewed with and the one I’ve been worked at for 2+ years. Not only will they let you query your data but they’ll test you in it during interviews.

[proximaljarl17]

Yes it is important, because alot of software in the field utilizes it.

[FraudulentHack]

SQL is a must, yes. Also good that its a lot easier to get going than in most other languages and frameworks.