SQL is a computer programming language that allows users to communicate with databases and manipulate the information and data they contain. This language was created by IMB researchers in the 1970s. An important factor that goes into deciding to learn a new skill like SQL is researching complementary and related skills. Doing so will help you make more informed decisions about what you want to learn, and it will help you decide whether studying a specific skill is the right decision for you. You will also learn what kind of skills you may want to acquire to complement your training later on. Read on to find out more about related SQL training options, such as basic knowledge about databases, Microsoft Excel, as well as other programming languages like R or Python.

What is SQL?

SQL, or Structured Query Language, is a standard language used to communicate with relational databases. Organizations across industries rely on SQL to access and work with the data contained in their databases. Important business information about products, customers, or orders is just some data an organization may store in a database. Among its many uses, SQL has applications for searching, updating, and maintaining databases. It can also insert or delete records from databases and change the database's actual structure by creating or deleting tables and objects.

SQL operates on local intranet or internet systems and can be used on laptops, PCs, servers, and some mobile devices. Even though SQL is considered to be a relatively simple programming language, it is a powerful tool for helping users retrieve the specific information they need within a large database. Those working with SQL don’t need coding skills and can instead use basic keywords such as “update” or “select” to perform data queries.

Some of the most-used relational database management systems that use SQL are Microsoft SQL Server, Ingres, Access, and Oracle. 

Read more about what SQL is and why you should learn it.

What Can You Do with SQL Skills?

For anyone who works with data, SQL knowledge is a must. Many fields and disciplines use this language to communicate with relational databases. SQL’s flexibility is designed to help you use statements based on English to query a database in multiple ways. Because SQL is the most-used database language, nearly every organization that has to store relational data relies on SQL, including major corporations such as Amazon, Google, and Uber. In addition, websites such as Facebook use SQL to store back-end data and process data.

SQL has a wide range of built-in functions that are useful for data analytics:

• SQL COUNT can count how many rows are in a table
• SQL MAX provides a way to select the highest value for a given column
• SQL MIN lets users choose the minimum value for a column
• SQL SUM totals the values in a column
• SQL AVG can calculate the average within table columns

In addition, SQL has other useful applications for handling large volumes of data:

• It can add, update, or delete records within a database
• SQL can create new databases
• SQL users can add new tables to an existing database
• SQL can create views or stored procedures in a database
• It can establish permissions on views, tables, and procedures.

Skills Related to SQL

If you’re interested in learning SQL, you may be interested in studying related skills as well. Knowledge of Microsoft Excel, as well as a basic understanding of how databases work, can be beneficial in your learning journey. In addition, studying other programming languages like R and Python is also a great way to complement your SQL study. The following sections will briefly describe each of these related skills and how they are related to SQL.

Familiarity with Databases

Because SQL is a language used to communicate with and manipulate relational databases, the more you know about databases, the easier it will be to learn SQL. A database is an organized collection of structured data or information that’s generally stored in a computer system and can be accessed electronically. Most databases are controlled by database management systems (DBMS). The data within a database, as well as the DBMS and any associated applications, are known collectively as a database system, or simply a database. DBMSs usually control databases, storing their data in tables with columns and rows. This ensures that the information can be easily accessed, organized, and managed. Most relational databases use SQL to query data, which involves requesting data results from a database, requesting action on this data, or both. Understanding databases, particularly relational databases (those structured to identify relations among the stored information), is essential for using SQL to communicate with them.

A great way to learn more about how to work with SQL to write queries, aggregate data, and find actionable insights is to enroll in Noble Desktop’s SQL Bootcamp.

R

Because SQL is a programming language, the more you understand other languages, the easier it may be to acquire SQL knowledge. One such language is R. R is a popular programming language for statistical computing, graphics, and data analysis. This open-source language is an implementation of S, another statistical programming language. R is available on a range of platforms, such as macOS, Linux, and Windows. R was initially developed to aid with statistical computations and graphics. This language has many uses, such as storing and analyzing data and creating statistical models. R is widely used to perform descriptive statistics, such as creating models to map linear regression or calculating standard deviation. In addition, R can be used to create dashboards and customized data visualizations. 

R has many built-in functions, as well as over 10,000 packages to aid with machine learning, data visualization, and statistical modeling, among other tasks. With the help of the ggplot2 package, R users can visualize a range of plots. They can also apply Plotly’s features to their dashboards to make them interactive. R can also make accurate predictions based on data using machine learning tools. This language also has automated reporting options available with R Markdown documents so users can easily share the results of their data analysis with others.

If you want to learn more about how R can be used to analyze and visualize data, Noble Desktop’s Data Analytics with R Bootcamp provides hands-on training in the small class environment. 

Python

Another popular programming language you may wish to study alongside SQL is Python. Python is a high-level, object-oriented programming language commonly used to create software and websites, perform data analysis, and automate tasks. Python is commonly used by Game Developers, Back End Developers, and Software Engineers because of its scalability and ease of use. In addition, Data Scientists work with Python because of how simple its syntax is. Because of how popular it is in their industry, Python allows Data Scientists to easily collaborate with others as they create software for data analysis. 

Python has applications for testing automation code, developing software, and creating back end elements that coordinate with elements in the front end of websites. Both Python and SQL are among the most widely used coding languages in the world. The main difference between them is that Python is generally used to explore data and build applications, whereas SQL is used to communicate with databases. 

For those interested in becoming a Python Developer, Noble Desktop’s Python Developer Certificate is available in the in-person and live online format. 

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Excel is the most popular spreadsheet tool in the world. Part of the Office product group, Excel remains widely used around the globe, with over 750 million users. This industry-standard app allows users to perform spreadsheet tasks like formatting data, merging cells, inserting columns or rows, creating tables, and pivoting on data. Excel’s formulas and functions help users complete a range of tasks, such as averaging data or summing large sets of numbers. Once data is organized with Excel, Data Analysts and other professionals can easily view or manipulate this information as necessary to locate meaningful insights. Many professionals who work with data end up preferring SQL to Excel because SQL is generally easier to work with, as well as faster and safer than Excel. Tasks that could take an hour to complete in Excel can be accomplished in minutes when using SQL. 

Excel is compatible with a range of other Office applications, such as Word and PowerPoint, which makes it a great tool for presenting data findings and sharing them with others in the form of presentations. It is available for macOS, Windows, and iOS platforms. 

If you’re interested in learning more about how to work with spreadsheets, Noble Desktop’s in-person or live online Excel Bootcamp covers core functions and skills, such as working with macros and PivotTables.

Learn SQL Skills with Noble Desktop

When learning SQL for a career, many people choose instructor-led classes, which provide personalized assistance and in-the-moment feedback on their code. If you’re interested in learning the basics of SQL or receiving more advanced instruction, Noble Desktop has multiple course offerings in SQL. Classes are available in the live-online environment as well as in-person in New York City. 

Those new to using SQL can enroll in Noble’s SQL Level 1, a beginner-friendly class designed to teach students the basics of working with this language. Throughout this instructor-led, one-day course, students build a foundation in SQL by learning about rows, columns, tables, and basic filtering. By course completion, participants will have a solid understanding of database architecture and will be able to write basic SQL queries for Microsoft SQL Server.

If you’re looking to learn more advanced SQL concepts, Noble also offers an SQL Bootcamp led by expert instructors. Those enrolled in this 18-hour course receive hands-on instruction on core SQL skills, such as how to write queries, filter and group data, and combine information from various tables using join statements. Participants in this small class also gain experience working with PostgreSQL as well as the free DBeaver app. All students have the option of a free retake of the course if they wish to brush up on their SQL skills. Prospective students can also learn more about SQL with Noble’s learning resources.

Key Takeaway

• SQL is a programming language that was designed to help users communicate with databases, as well as perform various data manipulations on the information contained within the database.
• If you’re interested in studying SQL, you may wonder which skills and tools you can acquire to help you learn how to with this language. A basic understanding of databases is extremely helpful for learning SQL since this language communicates with databases. In addition, familiarity with Excel spreadsheets is a plus. Many of the tasks that can be completed in Excel can be done much faster and more accurately using SQL.
• Because SQL is a programming language, it may also be helpful to study other coding languages to help with your SQL studies. R is a language used for data analysis and statistical computing. Python is an object-oriented programming language that can perform data analysis, automate tasks, and create software and websites.
• You can recieve comprehensive SQL training through Noble Desktop, either in person or online.