What to Learn After SQL Server

SQL Server is a relational database management system (RDBMS) created by Microsoft to compete with databases like Oracle and MySQL. This full-featured database supports the standard SQL language ANSI SQL and also offers its own SQL implementation, T-SQL. If you already know how to use SQL Server, you might consider learning SQL Server Management Studio, SQL Server Analysis Services, and SQL Server Integration Services. We’ll cover each of these below so you clearly understand what skill you want to tackle next. 

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.

What Should You Study After SQL Server?

Once you’ve learned to work with SQL Server, you may want to learn related skills, such as how to use SQL Server Management Studio, SQL Server Analysis Services, and SQL Server Integration Services. The following is a brief description of each of these tools, as well as their primary uses:

SQL Server Management Studio

SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) is an environment used to manage SQL infrastructure. SSMS helps develop, access, manage, configure, and administer any component of SQL Server, such as Azure SQL Managed Instance, Azure SQL Database, Azure Synapse Analytics, and SQL Server on Azure VM. SSMS’s single utility relies on various graphical tools with rich script editors to provide Developers and Database Administrators with access to SQL Server. 

Enrolling in Noble Desktop’s in-person or live online SQL Server Bootcamp is a great way to start working with this free app. 

SQL Server Analysis Services

SQL Server Integration Services (SSAS) is an analytical data engine that helps with business analytics and decision support tasks. Its enterprise-grade data models help users create client apps and business reports using Excel, Power BI, and data visualization tools. SSAS can be installed as an on-premises server instance. It supports tabular models at every compatibility level, data mining, Power Pivot for SharePoint, and multidimensional models. 

Microsoft offers various services in SQL Server explicitly designed for data warehousing and business intelligence; SSAS is one such service. It includes group data mining and online analytical processing capabilities. SSAS helps users create, design, and manage mining models and multidimensional structures using data gathered from disparate data sources and relational databases using data mining algorithms. 

SQL Server Integration Services

SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS) is a platform that helps users create enterprise-level data transformation and integration solutions. SSIS downloads and copies files, loads data warehouses, cleans and mines data, and manages SQL Server data and objects so that professionals can solve complicated business problems. It can extract and transform data from sources like flat files, XML data files, and relational data sources. This information can then be loaded into a single destination or multiple destinations. SSIS also includes a Catalog database for storing, managing, and running packages. 

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.

Key Insights

• SQL Server is a software app used to manage databases. 
• SQL Server has a range of applications, such as retrieving and storing data that other applications request.
• If you’ve already learned SQL Server, you may wish to study SQL Server Management Studio, SQL Server Analysis Services, or SQL Integration Services.
• Noble Desktop offers several in-person and live online SQL Server courses for those who wish to explore this topic further.