Introduction to SQL

Gain a solid working knowledge of the most powerful and widely used database programming language. This course will provide you the skills to write SQL queries to create tables, retrieve data from single or multiple tables, manipulate data in a database, and gather statistics from data stored in a database.

Details
Syllabus
Requirements
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$129.00 USD

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Instructor-Moderated

6 Weeks Access

Study online with Instructor moderated discussion boards.

April 15, 2026

May 13, 2026

June 17, 2026

July 15, 2026

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$129.00 USD

Instructor-Moderated

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Details

Learn the key concepts of Structured Query Language (SQL), and gain a solid working knowledge of this powerful and universal database programming language.

In this course, you'll learn about the basic structure of relational databases and how to read and write simple and complex SQL statements and advanced data manipulation techniques. First, you'll learn about the traditional database structure, the structure and history of the relational database, and what structured query language (SQL) is and how it relates to the relational-database structure.

Next, you'll discover how to use SQL to filter retrieved data and how to use SQL to sort and retrieve data from tables. You'll learn how to reformat retrieved data with calculated fields and how to merge columns and create alternate names for columns. You'll also learn how to gather significant statistics from data using aggregate functions, and you'll see how to extract data from multiple tables simultaneously using joins and subqueries. In addition, you'll learn how to manipulate data using the INSERT, UPDATE, and DELETE statements.

We'll also cover how to use SQL to create and maintain tables, and you'll learn how to create and use views to simplify complex queries, summarize data, and manipulate data stored in tables. You'll discover how transaction processing, constraints, and indexes are implemented in SQL. And finally, you'll discover how stored procedures, triggers, and cursors are implemented in SQL.

By the end of this course, you'll have a solid working knowledge of structured query language. You'll feel confident in your ability to write SQL queries to create tables; retrieve data from single or multiple tables; delete, insert, and update data in a database; and gather significant statistics from data stored in a database.

Course Revised February 2016

Syllabus

Lesson 1 - Database Basics and Structured Query Language

In our first lesson, we'll explore the basic structure and history of relational databases. You'll learn the history of SQL, then we'll review some key terms. Then, you'll discover what SQL is and how it's used with a relational database.

Lesson 2 - Filtering and Retrieving Data

In this lesson, you'll learn how to use SQL to filter and retrieve data from tables. We'll talk about important query terms that allow you to communicate with your database, as well as syntax rules that will help you to create clear and understandable queries while avoiding system generated errors.

Lesson 3 - Sorting and Filtering Data

In this lesson, you'll learn how to use SQL to filter retrieved data. You'll practice sorting retrieved data using the ORDER BY clause. You'll be able to sort single and multiple columns, and you'll know how to specify sort directions such as ascending and descending order. You'll also learn additional query terms that will help you customize your SQL queries.

Lesson 4 - Calculated Fields and Functions

Today, you'll learn how to reformat retrieved data with calculated fields and functions. You'll also learn how to create alternate names for columns, and you'll discover the secret behind merging columns with the concatenation symbol.

Lesson 5 - Summarizing and Grouping Data

In this lesson, we'll discuss gathering significant statistics from data using aggregate functions. You'll also learn how to use the GROUP BY clause in conjunction with an aggregate function to gather important statistics from a table. Then you'll find out how to use the HAVING clause in conjunction with an aggregate function to filter groups of data from a table.

Lesson 6 - Working with Subqueries

Today's lesson is all about subqueries. You'll learn how to extract data from multiple tables simultaneously, how to use calculated fields in subqueries, how to use the DATEPART () function in subqueries, and how to use aggregate functions in subqueries. Then we'll talk about qualification—a technique used to combine a table name with a column name so there's no question about which table the column name refers to.

Lesson 7 - Creating and Using Table Joins

In this lesson, you'll learn how to use joins to gather information from two or more tables simultaneously. You'll learn how to use the inner join, self-join, natural join, and the outer join. Then you'll become familiar with the term Cartesian product.

Lesson 8 - Inserting, Updating, and Deleting Data

In today's lesson, you'll discover how to manipulate data using the INSERT, UPDATE, and DELETE statements. You'll learn how to insert partial and complete rows into a table, and how to update information already stored in a table. You find out how to transfer data to a new table, how to transfer data to an existing table, and how to delete rows from a table.

Lesson 9 - Table Creation and Maintenance

Today you'll find out how you can use SQL to create and maintain tables. You'll learn how to use the CREATE TABLE keywords to create a table, then we'll discuss how to use the ALTER TABLE, DROP TABLE, ADD COLUMN, and DROP COLUMN keywords to manipulate the tables themselves. You'll also find out how to define a primary key, data type, and field size.

Lesson 10 - Creating and Understanding Views

In this lesson, you'll learn how and why views are used in SQL. You'll learn how to create and use views to simplify complex queries, summarize data, and manipulate data stored in tables. I'll also teach you how to update and delete a view.

Lesson 11 - Understanding Transaction Processing, Constraints, and Indexes

Today, you'll learn how transaction processing, constraints, and indexes are implemented in SQL. You'll work through an example that demonstrates how a transaction is created, how constraints are used in the creation of a table, and how indexes are used to improve the performance of a database by optimizing the speed at which queries are processed.

Lesson 12 - Understanding Stored Procedures, Triggers, and Cursors

In our final lesson, you'll find out how stored procedures, triggers, and cursors are implemented in SQL. You'll see how stored procedures are created and executed, as well as how triggers work. You'll also see how cursors are declared in SQL.

Requirements

Any type of computer with a Windows Operating System, and any desktop (standalone, not required to run over a server) or client/server (required to run over a server) Database Management System (DBMS) that you are familiar with that supports the execution of Structured Query Language (SQL). Examples include Microsoft Access, Microsoft SQL Server, Oracle, MySQL, Sybase, PostgreSQL.

Downloads and instructions for Microsoft Access and SQL Server are available in the course.

Instructor

Dr. Cecelia Allison is an experienced software tester and technical specialist with more than 15 years of hands-on experience using and teaching SQL. She is also a technical writer, a published author, and a university professor. She holds a Bachelor of Science in finance, a Master of Science in information systems and a Doctor of Business Administration in management information systems.

Instructor Interaction: The instructor looks forward to interacting with learners in the online moderated discussion area to share their expertise and answer any questions you may have on the course content.

Reviews

Cecelia did a fine job in presenting the material and backing it up with examples. The assignments and questions on the quizzes were also appropriate. Enjoyed it!

I really wanted to thank Ms. Allison for conducting this course. I have tried to take an SQL course before but had to quit as the instructor taught so far above my head I could not understand the subject matter. This course was broken down into small bites and the quizzes and assignments helped to bring the concept home! I have enjoyed this course and would consider taking another course like this. I have already recommended this course to a friend who has also taken it. We both are very happy with the results. Thanks Again.

It made me feel good to know that Cecelia Allison is an expert on this subject. I bought both of her books and I have learned a lot. Her style of teaching makes learning easy and fun. I feel very fortunate to have learned from such an expert in the field.

It was a great class! It not only gave me the knowledge of SQL, but it also improved my abilities in other applications such as MS Access and MS Excel. The instructor presented the subject matter in a perfect balance of technical and practical. It was evident to me she has educational and in-the-field expert experience. She is also personable and helpful.

The course gave me a 'challenging' introduction to SQL. It introduced two types of databases that I had not previously used:Microsoft Access and SQL Query 7. The examples and assignments reinforced what had been taught in previous lessons. Thank you. I not only learned a great deal but had a good time.

Very nice introduction to SQL. This helped me gain a better basic understanding of things I'd been tampering with for several years. I could probably have saved myself many frustrating hours having taken a course like this a couple years back.

I really enjoyed Cecelia's writing style, and would like to comment on her excellent use of English and attention to detail/proofreading. Too many programmers, including instructors, don't seem to care how their messages are written as long as someone, somewhere can decipher the meaning. When an instructor cares enough to write well, I respect his/her knowledge and authority on the subject. I feel that this is very important when learning, as it is the instructor's job to make material more efficient to absorb. Thanks, Cecelia!

I was impressed with this class. After reading one of the discussion responses that I was actually doing intermediate to advanced work with SQL and understanding it, is a huge compliment to the instructor. I have never been on Access or done any work with any other databases before either. I have since gone onto my home computer and done a lot of work setting up databases with the help of this course. Thank you and I will definitely be taking more and taking the instructor’s advice on what to take in the future. Thank you again for a great class. After being unemployed for a year it is great to have something to make me feel good!

When I started this course I really didn't know anything about SQL. This course has helped me a lot in learning the basics about SQL. I feel more comfortable using it at work now. Cecelia's book was also a great help and I recommend it to those who are just starting to learn this course. I'm so glad I found this course, and I look forward for the next intermediate class that Cecelia is going to offer.