SQL Video Tutorials

SQL, short for Structured Query Language, is an in-demand skill in the modern workplace. This popular programming language is used to communicate with databases and manage or retrieve information from them. One popular method for learning SQL is to watch online video tutorials. This article will cover a range of videos, including what they teach and where to find them.

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.

Why Are Video Tutorials Helpful When Learning SQL?

Video tutorials are an excellent resource for learning SQL. Here are just a few reasons why you should consider checking out some of the online video tutorials currently available:

• Unlike live online study or in-person classroom learning environments, online SQL videos can be watched and rewatched as many times as needed. They can be paused, as well as bookmarked for future reference. For visual learners, these courses can help break down complex SQL information in a way that’s accessible and memorable. Best of all, most of them are free, which makes them a cost-effective SQL learning option.
• Many top education provers, such as Noble Desktop and Udemy, offer free online tutorials in SQL and other timely technical topics. These videos offer instruction from experts in the field, just as in-person study would provide.
• While some SQL video tutorials offer a comprehensive overview of this programming language, others are short and specific to one SQL concept or action. In-person study or structured online coursework can require hours of focus and study. In contrast, SQL video tutorials are just a few minutes long and can answer a specific SQL question.
• Videos can be watched on mobile devices, laptops, and desktops. They are a great resource for learners on the go.
• It’s easy to share SQL videos with coworkers or others who are learning this language.

Types of SQL Videos

Learning SQL online has never been easier, thanks to the plethora of videos and tutorials currently available for interested learners. The following are just a few examples of the kinds of videos to choose from on your SQL learning journey:

• Noble Desktop’s free Intro to SQL provides an hour of beginner-friendly instruction on databases. This video is a helpful resource for aspiring Data Scientists and Data Engineers that surveys real-world applications of SQL.
• Khan Academy’s Intro to SQL covers basic SQL concepts, such as querying a table and aggregating data, as well as more advanced SQL topics like calculating results with CASE and performing complex queries with AND/OR.
• Udemy’s Free SQL Classes and Tutorials offers free educational materials and videos on timely SQL topics about using SQL for data analysis and SQL querying, among others.
• Coursera’s Introduction to Structured Query Language provides intermediate-level SQL instruction on various in-demand SQL topics, such as installing a text editor and creating a MySQL database.

Why Learn SQL?

Knowledge of SQL is one of the most in-demand skills in today’s workplace. Learning SQL has applications in many industries, particularly those focused on development and data. Developers who create software and websites rely on SQL to communicate with servers and store or display data. Those working in data fields often use SQL to gather data that teams will use for predictive modeling, analysis, or machine learning.

As technology continues to evolve, one constant that remains is that most data-oriented technologies use the SQL interface. SQL Server provides a platform for efficient data mining and data management, and it is especially helpful for data analysis in large databases with millions of entries. SQL can manage data pools with more than 100 million records and combine data from multiple sources, saving users valuable time.

Read more about why you should learn SQL.

How Difficult is It to Learn SQL?

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.

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.