What is the Best Course to Learn SQL?

The best course for learning SQL is going to depend on your personal learning goals. There are many different formats in which you can learn SQL, as well different factors such as cost, time availability, end goals, and personal preferences that will affect which method is the best for you. This article will explore some of the most significant considerations and differences between classes and class formats that you should consider to make an informed decision about what kind of SQL class to enroll in.

Are You Brand New to SQL?

Introductory SQL classes provide a concise and efficient way to grasp the fundamentals of SQL techniques and database applications. These classes typically span less than a day (or are spread out over a few shorter sessions) and offer the combined benefits of live training sessions and a straightforward introduction. They allow learners to quickly understand the basics of SQL. However, it’s essential to note that these introductory classes focus on foundational knowledge. If you decide to explore more advanced SQL concepts, you’ll need to invest additional time self-study or consider enrolling in more specialized courses.

How Much are You Willing to Pay?

Once you’ve made the decision to invest in continuing your education, it’s time to figure out your budget. The main thing you need to decide is your end goal. The bang needs to be worth your buck. In order to make sure you see the return you’re looking for, there are a few things you should consider. Like anything else, there are different tiers of expense when it comes to SQL classes and programs. If you’re looking for a quick online class that covers the basics, Udemy offers courses that range from $70 to $200. At the next tier, Noble Desktop has in-depth training courses that start at $350 and an immersive bootcamp option that costs $975. These courses are going to give you the background you’ll need to feel comfortable applying for jobs in applicable industries. From there, you get into the certification and degree range which can run into the thousands. These programs tend to focus on the overall management and analysis of databases, with SQL as only a part of the curriculum. 

Take into consideration when the courses will pay off or if there are any promotions running either for certain classes or during different times of the year. If your workplace is going to reimburse you for tuition, how much can you afford to pay upfront? How long can you wait to get reimbursed? These and other questions will be important ones when deciding which courses are best for you.

How Quickly Do You Need to Learn SQL?

When deciding which SQL course is the best fit for you, consider how much time you have available to learn this valuable skill. Here are some factors to consider:

If you have a busy schedule with other professional responsibilities, part-time immersive study might be ideal. This approach allows you to gradually acquire SQL skills while managing your existing commitments. The advantages include spread-out learning over an extended period, allowing you to absorb the material at a manageable pace. Flexibility is another benefit as you can balance learning with work or other obligations. However, keep in mind that part-time courses typically take longer to complete, and consistent effort over several weeks or months is necessary. For those in a hurry to acquire SQL skills, full-time immersive training programs can accelerate your learning. These programs focus on quickly teaching all the essential career skills needed for SQL-related roles. You’ll make faster progress compared to alternatives like college programs or internships. However, even full-time courses may take several weeks or months to complete, so be prepared for an intensive learning experience.

If you need to learn a specific SQL skill rapidly, consider shorter, focused classes or on-demand courses. These classes zoom in on specific topics, allowing you to acquire a skill quickly. They are ideal for editors already familiar with the basics of SQL. Keep in mind that while efficient, these classes may not cover all aspects of SQL comprehensively. Remember that your learning style, availability, and existing knowledge play a significant role in choosing the right SQL course. Whether you’re a beginner or looking to enhance your skills, there’s a course out there to match your needs.

How Will You Use Your SQL Skills?

Industries that use SQL knowledge and skills are growing more and more each day. When choosing the best SQL course, you’ll want to consider how you’ll use your SQL knowledge in terms of a future career. You’ll find that SQL is essential to various job roles.

For example, web designers create visually appealing and functional websites. They collaborate closely with clients to understand their vision and translate it into visually appealing designs. Once the design is approved, web designers code webpages or entire websites to ensure that they are responsive, accessible, and compatible with various devices and browsers.

Data analysts play a crucial role in extracting valuable insights from data to inform business decisions. They collect data from various sources, such as sales numbers, market research, logistics, or other behaviors. Using mathematical and analytical methods, they process and interpret complex data sets, identifying trends and patterns. By analyzing data, they provide actionable insights that help businesses make informed decisions.

Assurance (QA) engineers play a crucial role in ensuring that products or services meet required specifications and quality standards. They create and execute tests to find any issues with software before it is launched. QA engineers also collaborate with developers to address defects and track quality assurance metrics, such as defect densities and open defect counts. Overall, they contribute significantly to maintaining software quality and ensuring smooth product launches.

SQL developers design and maintain databases, ensuring their stability, reliability, and performance. They use structured query language (SQL) to manipulate data, implement database-driven solutions, and build applications. SQL developers create and optimize database structures, including tables, stored procedures, views, and indexes. They collaborate with teams and lead developers on code reviews and process enhancements, ensuring efficient data retrieval and storage. 

Carefully consider which career path interests you before enrolling in your SQL courses. Some might be more beneficial than others depending on your goals.

Which Class Format Do You Prefer?

When selecting an SQL class, think about your learning preferences, availability, and personal obligations. In-person classes offer direct engagement with instructors and peers, immediate feedback, and a structured setting, but require commuting and a fixed schedule, which might clash with other duties. Online live classes provide real-time instruction and the convenience of no commute, yet you must be available at set times and might miss out on in-person support. Self-paced online courses afford the utmost flexibility, perfect for those with fluctuating schedules, but necessitate self-discipline to stay focused without the live interactive component. The best format for you hinges on how you learn best and how it accommodates your lifestyle, so weigh these considerations carefully.

Learn SQL with Noble Desktop

Enrolling with Noble Desktop comes with a wide range of benefits including live, project-based training, the option to retake your course for free within a year, expert instruction, and a verified digital certificate on completion, to name a few. Noble Desktop also offers setup assistance and 1-on-1 bonus training in order to ensure you’re supported before, during, and after your course. Classes are offered both in-person and live online, giving you the option to fully customize how you learn depending on how you learn best. Whether you’re a beginner or looking to enhance your SQL skills, Noble Desktop has courses to fit your needs. If you’re ready to dive into the world of databases and queries, there are many options for you to consider.

Beginners will feel most comfortable starting with SQL Level 1. Students can expect to learn the fundamentals of SQL and relational databases, including SQL syntax, database tables, and writing SQL queries. This SQL starter course will provide you with strong foundational skills to explore the tables, columns, and rows stored in a database and write/code SQL queries to extract and start analyzing that data. Using practical, hands-on exercises, your expert instructor will guide you through understanding the basics of database architecture and will develop your skills in writing real SQL code. By the end of this introductory, hands-on course, you’ll be able to write basic SQL queries for Microsoft SQL Server and learn how to use the free SQL Server Management Studio app to explore the database and execute your SQL theories.

Once you’ve finished SQL Level 1, you can move on to SQL Level 2. In this intermediate SQL course, you’ll build on your knowledge of SQL fundamentals, enhancing your skills to join, filter, group, and analyze data. You’ll also learn how to group data and perform common statistical calculations using aggregate functions. SQL Level 2 focuses on how to use Outer Joins and find NULL data, how to group data and perform common statistical calculations using aggregator functions, and how to change the data type when it’s not what you need. By the end of this intermediate hands-on course, you’ll know more SQL techniques to extract and analyze the specific data you want from the database. This will enable you to more easily turn raw data into actionable insights.

With SQL Level 1 & 2 under your belt, you’ll be ready for SQL Level 3. This advanced course will take your SQL skills to the next level where you will learn about subqueries, views, variables, functions, stored procedures, and more. SQL Level 3 goes over how to add If-Else logic to queries using CASE statements, how to use string functions to get just the part of text you need, and show you how subqueries allow you to grab data from anywhere in a database. You’ll gain a deeper understanding of SQL techniques that will better prepare you for roles in data analysis, data science, and working with data in databases. 

For a more streamlined learning experience, check out Noble Desktop’s SQL bootcamp options. Noble’s SQL Bootcamp is great for beginners or anyone looking to brush up on their SQL skills. Bootcamps are designed to be comprehensive and immersive, so you’ll need to manage your time well in order to benefit from the course structure. In SQL Bootcamp you’ll learn to extract information from databases by writing SQL queries, joining tables, aggregating data, and filtering results. You’ll also be introduced to PostgreSQL, but the concepts will equally apply to other databases such as SQL Server and MySQL. When you’re finished with this bootcamp, you’ll be able to filter data, group it, and turn raw data into insights as well as combine information from multiple tables using joining statements. More advanced techniques like subqueries and how to use functions with parameters are also part of the curriculum. 

Another great bootcamp option offered by Noble Desktop is the SQL Server Bootcamp. This bootcamp equips students with the skills needed to work with databases and extract valuable insights. In this hands-on course, you’ll learn Microsoft SQL Server and use the SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) app to explore databases and execute SQL queries. The course covers fundamental SQL concepts, including viewing tables, columns, and rows, as well as coding queries to extract specific information. Students also learn how to filter data, group it, and combine information from multiple tables using join statements. Additionally, the bootcamp delves into more advanced techniques such as aggregate functions and subqueries. The knowledge gained from this course can be applied to other types of SQL (such as PostgreSQL, Microsoft Access, MySQL, etc.) with minor syntax differences.