Discover the benefits and uses of SQL Server, a relational database management system by Microsoft. Learn about its applications in storing and managing business information, securing sensitive data, and speeding up data processing, plus the advantages of learning through video tutorials.
Key Insights
- SQL Server, created by Microsoft, is a relational database management system (RDBMS) used for storing and retrieving data requested by other software applications. It supports standard SQL language ANSI SQL and its unique implementation, T-SQL.
- SQL Server has numerous applications in the business sector, from storing and managing business information to facilitating data sharing over the same network, thus increasing reliability and speeding up data processing.
- Video tutorials offer a flexible and cost-effective way to learn SQL Server. They can be paused, rewound, and rewatched as often as necessary, making them a valuable resource for visual learners.
- Noble Desktop offers a range of in-person and live online study options for learning SQL Server, including a SQL Server Bootcamp and a SQL Bootcamp. These courses provide instruction on using SQL queries to locate information in databases, joining tables, aggregating data, and filtering results.
- SQL Server offers various pricing options for different usage needs, including SQL Enterprise costing $13,748 for a two-core pack licensing model, and SQL Standard (per core) at $3,586 for a two-core pack. Free versions of SQL Server 2019 Developer and SQL Server 2019 Express are also available.
- According to the 2020 Stack Overflow survey, SQL Server is listed as one of the top three most popular databases. This popularity is expected to continue, indicating a continued demand for individuals trained in using SQL Server.
SQL Server is a relational database management system created by Microsft in 1989. This software product is commonly used to retrieve and sort data other software applications request. Watching video tutorials online is a popular method of learning SQL Server. Because videos are pre-recorded, they can be watched as often as necessary, rewound, and paused. They also can be accessed from any location, which makes them a flexible study format. This article will cover a range of videos, including what they teach and where to find them.
What is SQL Server?
SQL Server is a relational database management system (RDBMS) created by Microsoft. The data contained within an RDBMS is stored in tables similar to the columns and rows in a spreadsheet. Like other RDBMS software, SQL server is built on top of structured query language (SQL), the programming language most commonly used to communicate with relational databases. This database server’s primary function is to store and retrieve data that other software applications request. This data may run on the same computer or be stored on a computer across a network.
SQL Server was created to compete with Oracle databases and MySQL. It supports the standard SQL language ANSI SQL. In addition, SQL Server also comes with T-SQL, or Transact-SQL, its unique implementation of SQL. This Microsoft proprietary language offers additional capabilities, such as exception handling, declaring variables, and stored procedures. The main interface tool for SQL Server is SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS), which can support either a 32-bit or 64-bit environment. When Software Developers write business apps that store information in databases, they frequently work with SQL Server to look after the databases instead of writing code to perform this task. This helps speed up the process of writing database applications, making them cheaper to build and ensuring that they are more secure, reliable, and scalable.
Read more about what SQL Server is and why you should learn it.
What Can You Do with SQL Server?
SQL Server has many uses for those tasked with managing and storing information in relational databases. It supports core operations in analytics, transaction process, and business intelligence. Any information on the server is stored in the relational database. However, the system comprises more than a database; it also includes a management system.
Microsoft SQL Server is especially useful in the business sector. The database stores and manages a variety of business information. This system also facilitates data sharing by computers in the same network, which can increase reliability. Not only that, but SQL Server can also improve the speed at which data is processed, which makes it easier to execute large operations. In addition to creating and maintaining databases, SQL Server also analyzes data through SQL Server Analysis Services (SSAS). It creates reports using SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS). It executes ETL operations using SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS).
Another benefit to working with SQL Server is that it provides a range of features for advanced performance. This system has encryption features, as well as transparent data compression. In addition, users don’t need to modify programs to secure and encrypt their data. SQL Server also includes efficient management tools for permission and access controls that can secure sensitive business data.
Why Are Video Tutorials Helpful When Learning SQL Server?
If you’re interested in learning SQL Server but cannot attend in-person or live online classes, another learning format you may consider is working with video tutorials. Unlike live course material, which is provided in real-time, video tutorials are recorded earlier and uploaded to the internet. This means you can watch them at any time and from any location. In addition, those who wish to take notes as they follow along can pause, rewind, and rewatch videos as often as necessary, which can help visual learners retain information.
For those new to working with SQL Server, video tutorials are a low-stakes way to learn about relational databases. Since they are available online, they don’t require you to enroll in a bootcamp or certificate course that spans weeks or months. Instead, learners can choose from a range of videos, some of which provide a general overview of SQL Server and others that cover topics such as joining or aggregating data.
Another benefit to working with video tutorials is the cost. In-person and live online study can cost hundreds or thousands of dollars. Video content, on the other hand, is often available for a much lower cost from top educational providers. Some video tutorials are even available for free.
Types of SQL Server Videos
If you’re interested in learning SQL Server using video tutorials, the great news is that there’s an abundance of material online available from top educational providers. Noble Desktop’s free Intro to SQL course provides an hour of instruction on how to work with SQL. This tutorial includes an overview of what you can do with SQL and real-world SQL examples. Students can apply the SQL information in this tutorial to all major SQL flavors. Noble’s Python, Data Science, & SQL YouTube playlist is also an excellent resource for content on SQL and other related topics.
In addition to Noble Desktop, other educational providers also offer SQL and SQL Server content. Joey Blue’s SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) Full Course is available on YouTube. More than 80 minutes of content is recorded on core SQL Server concepts, such as the various types of connections, object explorer, and table properties. Joey Blue offers other SQL and SQL Server videos, such as SQL Joins Tutorial for Beginners and Learn SQL in One Hour.
Microsoft, the creator of SQL Server, also provides a range of video tutorials for those who want to learn more about this relational database management system. Its SQL Server 2019 video learning series is perfect for those new to SQL Server who want to master basic skills. Microsoft also has an SQL Server YouTube channel, which contains videos such as “SQL Server on Linux,” “Database Enhancements in SQL Server 2019,” and “Automatic Tuning with SQL Server on Windows.”
Why Learn SQL Server?
In 2020, Stack Overflow listed SQL Server as one of the top three most popular databases. This trend is expected to continue in the coming years, so there will be a demand for those trained to use SQL Server. In addition, working with Microsoft software is a good choice for entrepreneurs because of benefits such as clear licenses, excellent customer service and support, and how easy it is to implement. SQL Server remains a popular option because it’s been on the market for 35 years. Because of its longevity, it’s possible to find experts familiar with this RDBMS. This is not always possible with newer products and solutions like NoSQL.
There are many benefits to working with SQL Server. This product has a one-click installation procedure, which includes instructions that are easy to understand. This product offers excellent encryption and compression capabilities, which can help improve retrieval functions and data storage. In addition, Microsoft SQL Server is one of the most secure database servers; its encryption algorithms make it extremely difficult to crack the user’s security layers. Because SQL Server isn’t an open-source database server, this also mitigates the possibility of database server attacks. Another reason many individuals appreciate working with SQL Server is that multiple editions are available with different price points for enterprise, standard, workgroup, express, and developer usage.
Read more about why you should learn SQL Server.
How Difficult is It to Learn SQL Server?
Most people who learn SQL Server consider it relatively easy to implement, maintain, and use. SQL Server is stable and doesn’t consume many resources. In addition, users note that it’s highly customizable and performs well.
Before you study SQL Server, a good place to start is learning to work with SQL. SQL, or structured query language, is used to locate, change, and manipulate the information stored in relational databases. SQL’s syntax is easy to learn and use and can typically be acquired in two to three weeks. For anyone interested in a career relating to data analysis or manipulation, such as cybersecurity, data science, or back end programming, it’s essential to know SQL. It’s the standard query language used to communicate with databases such as SQL Server. Some of the main applications for SQL are creating databases, adding or deleting data, setting access permissions, and locating data.
SQL Server is available to download on Microsoft’s website. The installation process is easy, thanks to the setup wizard. Whereas other database servers require complex command-line configurations, SQL Server provides a user-friendly installation interface. In addition to a one-click installation process, it offers a readable GUI and extensive instructions.
The following is a breakdown of the various price points of different SQL Server downloads:
- SQL Enterprise costs $13,748, which includes a two-core pack licensing model.
- SQL Standard (per core) is $3,586 for a two-core pack.
- SQL Standard (server) costs $899 to download a server licensing model.
- SQL Standard (CAL) is $209 for a CAL licensing model.
- SQL Web pricing is not listed; those interested in downloading this version should consult their hosting partner for pricing.
In addition, free versions of SQL Server 2019 Developer and SQL Server 2019 Express are also available. SQL Server 2019 Developer is a full-featured edition licensed for non-production environments as a test and development database. SQL Server 2019 Express is also offered for free. This edition of SQL Server has a range of applications for production and development for web, desktop, and small servers.
Read about how difficult it is to learn SQL Server.
Learn SQL Server with Hands-on Training at Noble Desktop
Those who want to learn how to use SQL Server choose from a variety of excellent in-person and live online study options available through Noble Desktop. If you’re new to SQL Server and want to learn the basics, Noble’s in-person and live online SQL Server Bootcamp is for you. Participants in this program receive expert instruction about using MS SQL Server to locate information in databases using SQL queries. Students also receive instructions on joining tables, aggregating data, and filtering results. This class covers SQL Server and the free SQL Server Management Studio app. All participants have the option of a free course retake for up to a year after completing this bootcamp to revisit the material.
Noble’s in-person or live online SQL Bootcamp is also available. This program prepares participants to use PostgreSQL. This hands-on class also teaches students to work with the free DBeaver app for exploring the database and executing queries. These concepts can be applied to other SQL flavors, such as MySQL and Microsoft SQL Server, with minor syntax changes.
If you want to browse Noble’s course offerings that provide SQL training, you can search for in-person and live online SQL courses. In addition to SQL Bootcamp and SQL Server Bootcamp, Noble also has courses such as the Data Science Certificate and Data Analytics Certificate, in which PostgreSQL training is provided. The content taught in these lessons can be applied to SQL Server.
How to Learn SQL Server
Master SQL Server with hands-on training. SQL is one of the most in-demand programming languages and is used across a variety of professions.
- SQL Server Bootcamp at Noble Desktop: live, instructor-led course available in NYC or live online
- Find SQL Classes Near You: Search & compare dozens of available courses in-person
- Attend a SQL class live online (remote/virtual training) from anywhere
- Find & compare the best online SQL classes (on-demand) from several providers
- Get started with a free online SQL course from the experts at Noble Desktop
- Train your staff with corporate and onsite SQL training