How Long Does it Take to Learn SQL?

Like many aspiring Software Engineers, you may want to learn SQL but worry it will require too much time. SQL is considered one of the easiest programming languages to learn due to its straightforward, English-based syntax. Although mastering SQL requires dedication, most experts agree that it takes the average learner about two to three weeks to become proficient with this programming language. Of course, the speed at which you learn SQL will depend on several factors. Continue reading to see how you can learn SQL and find resources to help speed up the process.

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.

What Can You Do with SQL?

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.

Average Time it Takes to Learn SQL

Like any skill, the time it takes to learn SQL can vary depending on several factors. While most people interested in learning SQL can acquire a basic familiarity with this programming language in about two to three weeks, it will likely take longer for those new to working with large volumes of data or have no prior experience with databases.

It’s often easier to acquire new skills like SQL with the help of instructors guiding the learning process. That’s why enrolling in online or in-person SQL courses can expedite study. For those who elect to learn independently, it may take months to become proficient with SQL. Luckily, many online tutorials, videos, and free resources are available for SQL students at all levels.

To become an SQL expert and moving beyond basic SQL concepts to applying this knowledge to real-world database scenarios, the learning process will be more demanding and may take months of study. The following is a rough breakdown of the time estimates for learning SQL depending on the amount of prior programming experience the student has before studying the language:

• For those who wish to learn SQL basics but don’t have any programming experience or a technical background, it’s possible to learn SQL fundamentals—like how to query data tables or select columns—in just several hours.
• If you don’t have prior programming experience and want to develop intermediate SQL skills, such as creating or joining tables, it will likely take between one weekend and several weeks to acquire this knowledge.
• For those without coding knowledge who wish to become advanced SQL users and perform tasks like using PostgreSQL to create databases or execute advanced queries, you can expect to spend one or more months on the learning path.
• If you have a background in writing code and want to learn SQL basics, it likely will take only an hour or two to acquire these skills.
• learners with coding knowledge who hope to attain intermediate SQL skills can expect to spend about a week learning this language.
• If you have programming knowledge and wish to achieve SQL mastery, you will likely need a month or two of study.

Other Factors

The speed at which you learn SQL depends on the skills you bring to the learning process. Some SQL learners have prior coding experience or training with relational databases, whereas others are new to programming or handling big data. In addition, if you elect to learn on your own versus with the help of a formal course of study, this can also affect retention speed. The following factors each contribute to how quickly you will be able to learn SQL:

Prior Experience Working with Big Data

If you already have a job in which you work with data, such as a career in data analytics, acquiring SQL fluency may take less time than those who have never handled data. In addition, navigating relational databases can take a bit of time to get used to, which can also factor into the time required to learn SQL.

Familiarity with Computer Programming

Although SQL is considered by most to be easier to learn than other programming languages because it relies on a straightforward, English-based syntax, knowledge of languages such as Python or JavaScript can prepare SQL users to more easily learn this language. In addition, having the skills to code in multiple programming languages will help you be more marketable and valuable to organizations that work with data.

Motivation for Learning SQL

If you are interested in becoming familiar with the basics of SQL for performing database queries, you may only need to study this language for a few hours. However, if you are a Software Engineer who will need to perform advanced querying for work, mastery of this language may be essential, requiring significantly more study and practice.

Learning Environment

Learning any new skill on your own can be more difficult than studying it in a structured learning environment. Those who enroll in classes or bootcamps to learn SQL will likely take less time to learn this language. If you elect for solo study, you will have to be self-motivated and able to ensure that you have fully grasped a concept before moving on to another. Although this SQL learning process may take longer than structured class study, with the help of online videos and tutorials, students can still acquire the same skills as they would in a formal learning environment.

Level of Difficulty, Prerequisites, & Cost

One of the best features of SQL is that it’s based on English syntax, which means that English speakers, even those who don’t have prior programming experience, can learn this language relatively quickly. For the most part, the basic SQL dialects all use a very similar syntax. However, when learning SQL, the ordering of the written code isn’t the same as the order of execution. This means that in order to write effective queries, you must understand the correct query structure. Most SQL learners can become familiar with the basics of this language in approximately two to three weeks. However, if you’re looking to master more complex SQL querying or are learning this language on your own, it can take longer to attain a higher level of fluency.

In terms of price, SQL is free for developers and testers who intend to use it only for non-production purposes, like creating and developing software solutions. Learners can download SQL Server 2019 Developer for free from Microsoft. Microsoft offers a free Express version of SQL Server, which learners can use on the web, desktop devices, and small server applications. Microsoft also has a free trial of SQL Server 2022 public preview. In addition, Oracle SQL Developer is also available for free. Developers use this integrated environment to create and manage both traditional and cloud deployments of Oracle databases.

Licensing to use SQL Server for production purposes varies by product. SQL Server Standard Edition Server Licensing costs $931 (with an additional $209 for every named user client access license); SQL Server Enterprise Edition costs $7,128 for each core; SQL Server Standard Edition costs $1,859 per core.

Read about how difficult it is to learn SQL.

Watch a Free SQL Online Course

If you aren’t entirely ready to dive into a full-length course in SQL but still want to learn more about this programming language, a great option is to begin your studies for free online. In Noble Desktop’s free Intro to SQL, students receive an hour of beginner-level instruction about databases, the professional applications of SQL among Data Engineers and Data Scientists, and real-world examples of what SQL can do.

In addition to Noble’s free introductory video, other top educational providers offer free online resources to help you learn SQL. Udemy currently has free coursework and tutorials devoted exclusively to SQL. It has beginner-level online courses, such as Introduction to Databases and SQL Querying, as well as SQL Foundations. For those seeking more advanced SQL instruction, Udemy also offers Advanced Databases and SQL Querying. If you’re interested in learning SQL’s specific applications in the data sciences, Coursera currently lists SQL for Data Sciences. This free course starts with SQL basics before progressing to more advanced topics, such as writing complex queries, creating tables, and data governance.

Read more about free SQL videos and online tutorials.

Learn SQL with Hands-on Training at 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 Insights

• Learning SQL is a valuable and in-demand skill in many industries that work with data, such as data science, software engineering, and data journalism.
• Various factors contribute to the speed at which you will learn SQL, such as prior programming experience, learning goals, and whether you elect to study on your own or in a classroom environment.
• For most learners, it’s possible to become familiar with SQL in just a few weeks. Acquiring advanced SQL skills, however, may take months.
• Those interested in learning SQL should take advantage of the many in-person and online learning options from top education providers to help them with their studies.