5th Nov 2024 12 minutes read

LearnSQL.com’s Top Free SQL Resources

Table of Contents

How Data is Driving a Positive Change in The World
The Role of SQL in Database Management
LearnSQL.com’s Free Library of SQL Knowledge
Use This Abundance of SQL Learning Resources

In this article, you’ll get an overview of the top 10 free SQL resources from LearnSQL.com. I’ll start with the most basic and progress towards more advanced resources. Each one of those was carefully crafted to help you learn SQL.

Whether you are taking your first steps in your professional path or already have some experience with SQL, you’ll need plenty of SQL training tools if you want to get good at this language. That’s why I’ve collected some of the most helpful free SQL learning resources on the internet.

The below-mentioned free SQL resources work best as a complement to our interactive learning courses. And if you want to learn SQL thoroughly, I highly recommend checking out our SQL A to Z Course. Through over 800 practical coding challenges, you’ll learn all SQL concepts, starting with basics, and finishing with advanced analysis and reporting.

How Data is Driving a Positive Change in The World

If you already know a bit about SQL, feel free to scroll down to the next section, where I mention the resources. But if you still have some questions about how SQL works and its core purpose, we’ll do a quick overview of that here – beginning with why SQL, or Structured Query Language, is important.

It all starts with data. From satellite data that monitors climate change and protects endangered species to smart city initiatives that optimize energy use and improve urban living, data collection is transforming our world.

In healthcare, patient data supports medical research; in agriculture, data helps farmers reduce inefficiency and increase food production. The insights based on this data are driving positive changes across the globe, making our societies more sustainable and efficient.

Data isn't just changing major industries; it's also part of our daily lives. From tracking fitness on smartwatches to managing budgets with apps, data makes everyday tasks easier. In the office, it helps with things like analyzing sales, tracking team progress, managing successful projects, and even organizing emails or scheduling meetings.

Data keeps everything running smoothly and helps us make better decisions.

The Role of SQL in Database Management

But collecting data alone isn’t enough. The petabytes of data that are generated every day are overwhelming – and practically useless. What makes the real difference is the ability to sort, filter, and extract meaningful insights based on that data.

This is where SQL comes into the conversation. This querying language enables users to manipulate data, manage databases, and uncover actionable insights from large datasets. It’s an essential skill for working with relational databases. With SQL, you can:

Query and retrieve specific data from vast datasets.
Perform advanced sorting, filtering, and aggregation.
Update and manage data efficiently.
Analyze filtered data to uncover actionable insights.

It’s important to understand that SQL isn’t just about managing data; it’s about unlocking the potential hidden within it – turning raw information into the fuel that powers groundbreaking discoveries, strategic advancements, and transformative success.

Without further ado, here are the best free resources to learn SQL to support data-powered decision-making and drive progress.

LearnSQL.com’s Free Library of SQL Knowledge

At LearnSQL.com, we believe that quality education should be accessible to everyone. That’s why over the years, we have collected a library of free SQL learning resources to help individuals at all experience levels.

As the demand for data analysis rapidly increases across industries, so does the demand for SQL. And now, thanks to free SQL materials collected at LearnSQL.com, you can start building your skills without any financial burden.

1. SQL Primer – An SQL Guide for Complete Beginners

I am excited to share with you the first and most foundational resource – our SQL Primer. It’s the best place for anyone, regardless of their industry, to start their SQL journey. This resource breaks down the fundamental concepts of SQL in a particularly clear and accessible way, providing you with a solid foundation to build your future SQL skills on.

When I started learning SQL, I didn’t know about this resource. And since I did not have the slightest background in IT, I missed a few key concepts. Then, I found this resource by LearnSQL.com, which was carefully crafted by Agnieszka Kozubek-Krycuń for complete beginners like me. Finally, there was a resource that explained the basics of SQL in a way I could fully understand!

So why am I so enthusiastic about this primer? Because it covers the following essential topics in such a clear and relatable manner:

What are relational databases?
What is SQL?
How are database tables structured?
How does an SQL query work?
How can I properly learn SQL?

For experienced IT professionals, these concepts might feel too basic. But for a novice, the SQL Primer is undoubtedly a game-changer.

2. SQL Cheat Sheets – Handy and Concise Quick References

If you already have some experience with SQL but are looking for a quick reference to simplify writing SQL queries, our SQL Cheat Sheet library is the resource you need.

The LearnSQL.com team mined all their experience to create these Cheat Sheets. Each one is packed with relevant SQL commands, functions, and syntax, helping you reduce errors and streamline your querying.

At the time of writing, LearnSQL.com has published the following SQL Cheat Sheets:

As you can see, each cheat sheet has a specific audience (beginners, MySQL users, etc.) or a specific practice area (joining tables, aggregating data). You can download or print the cheat sheets and keep them close by as you practice SQL. They’re a great resource for improving your queries, whether you're actively working on databases or sharpening your skills through SQL courses.

3. SQL Cookbooks – Step-by-Step Recipes for Everyday SQL Challenges

Possibly one of the most valuable of all our free SQL resources is our SQL Cookbooks. Designed to help you solve daily business challenges, our cookbooks are made up of short, problem-solving articles. We cover everything from data manipulation to advanced query optimization across MySQL, MS SQL Server, Oracle, PostgreSQL, and Standard SQL dialects.

The Cookbook Library contains over 200 common issues and their solutions. Each one contains a single problem, an example, a solution with ready-to-copy code, and a detailed explanation. This simple but structured resource took years to prepare. Now, you can use it as you learn SQL or as you use the language in your daily work.

SQL Cookbooks are a real timesaver, especially when you're stuck on specific issues or looking for an efficient way to complete a task. I highly recommend bookmarking this resource, which will save you hours of troubleshooting in the future.

4. LearnSQL.com Blog – Articles on SQL Topics

Get ready for some extensive reading! The LearnSQL.com Blog is a comprehensive resource filled with articles, tutorials, guides, and insights from the top voices in the data industry.

But don’t let the word “blog” mislead you. About half of our blog consists of free SQL tutorials that feature real-life examples, guides, tips, and tricks from industry experts. Topics range from basic SELECTS to CTEs, query optimization, and advanced reporting. And because we regularly update the blog, it's an excellent resource to stay current on SQL trends and continually improve your workflow.

While it may seem impossible to read the 1,000+ posts available, it's definitely worth exploring the articles and diving deeper into this valuable resource.

5. SQL Flashcards – Review Your Knowledge

The LearnSQL.com team knows that learning styles and needs vary, which is why we’ve developed SQL flashcards to help multiple types of learners. Whether you’re preparing for an exam or reviewing SQL concepts before a job interview, flashcards will help you get a firm grasp of key SQL concepts.

The design of the flashcards is interactive and straightforward, with questions or terms on one side and detailed explanations on the other. This allows anyone new to SQL to strengthen their understanding of its syntax and commands.

This resource, although it might seem trivial, has made many learners’ lives easier. Pairing the SQL flashcards with our SQL Basics Course can provide a solid starting point if you’re interested in embarking on your own SQL journey.

6. For Students: Our Free SQL Basics Course

LearnSQL.com has a long history of supporting students’ learning journeys, which is why we give them free access to our SQL Basics course. The course is available for free to any students or educators who possess a university email account.

The SQL Basics course features 129 interactive exercises that teach fundamental SQL commands. It covers topics like retrieving data from databases, writing complex filtering conditions, combining data stored in multiple tables, calculating statistics, and creating reports. The course also touches on more advanced topics like subqueries and set operations. This is the ideal entry point for anyone starting to learn SQL.

To access the free SQL Basics course, simply create a free LearnSQL.com account using your school email address. Once you've verified your email, you’ll be ready to get started. Find out if you are eligible for this free offer on our Students page.

7. Free SQL Courses of The Month

Speaking of free courses, LearnSQL.com also offers a free SQL course every month. Each month, a different course is selected that anyone can take 100% until the end of that month. These courses cover various SQL topics, such as basic querying, aggregate functions, joins, or window functions.

These courses typically focus on the practical side of SQL. Exercises are usually based on real-world scenarios, such as analyzing blog traffic, managing a database for an online store, or tracking sales data. The content is targeted for beginner to intermediate SQL users, allowing them to enhance their SQL skills for free.

To take advantage of this offer, all you need to do is create a free account or log in to an existing one. You’ll find out which free course is available now on our blog. Once you start the course, you’ll have full access until the end of the same month. This initiative aims to help users improve their SQL skills through interactive, hands-on exercises without any additional cost.

In November 2024 for example, the free Course of the Month is Customer Behavior Analysis in PostgreSQL. In this course, you'll find 72 engaging exercises that teach you how to create detailed reports in PostgreSQL. You’ll learn to uncover key insights, such as user sign-up rates and conversion rates. You'll also learn to group customers into segments to analyze their behavior and track how long it takes them to make their first purchase.

You can also subscribe to the LearnSQL.com LinkedIn Page to get notified about upcoming free SQL courses.

If you haven’t yet joined the community of 45,000 subscribers to our SQL Insights Newsletter, you’re missing some great info. It’s designed for professionals looking to improve their SQL skills or stay updated with the latest trends and techniques in the data world. Each month, we offer in-depth tips and insights related to SQL, data analysis, and database management.

Some issues cover practical career advice that goes beyond SQL, such as data industry news and career roadmaps. We also share updates on new courses and learning resources available on LearnSQL.com. So, if you want to keep up with the latest industry trends, subscribe to our newsletter!

9. Free Trials for Every Online Course

LearnSQL.com also offers free trials for each course available on our platform. This is an incredibly useful feature for a few reasons:

You can test our hands-on learning approach and see for yourself if this is something that meets your needs.
If you can’t decide which of two courses to take, try them both. You’ll be able to make a better and more informed decision.
Lastly, you can learn a bit of SQL by taking the free section of each course. Together, they make up over 300 free exercises!

By offering the free introduction section to each course, LearnSQL.com ensures that learners can explore and experience high-quality SQL education firsthand. For you, it’s a safe way to start learning without any risk – you can try a course before committing to the paid version. Use the free trial opportunity to explore the platform and take your first steps toward learning SQL.

10. The LearnSQL.com YouTube Channel – Video Tutorials for All

Did you know that LearnSQL.com has a YouTube channel? We've published a series of free video tutorials that cover everything from the basics of SQL to more advanced topics. Our goal is to supplement our other free SQL learning materials.

The first two tutorials answer two basic questions: What is a database? How does SQL retrieve and manipulate data? The rest of the tutorials tackle other SQL concepts, starting with the basics and moving to more complex ideas. We also cover information related to data careers. At the time of writing, we’ve published 17 guides on a variety of SQL topics:

Each video is easy to follow; many give you a chance to practice what you've learned right away. Be sure to subscribe, drop us a comment, and make the most of these tutorials to sharpen your SQL skills!

Use This Abundance of SQL Learning Resources

I genuinely believe that the free SQL resources available on LearnSQL.com can be a game-changer for anyone looking to improve their SQL skills. Whether you're just starting out or already have some experience, these tools are designed to help you succeed. From cheat sheets and cookbooks to interactive courses and in-depth blog tutorials, there's something for everyone. And the best part? You can access it all for free!

I encourage you to explore everything LearnSQL.com has to offer. These SQL learning resources are here to make your experience smoother and more practical. So why wait? Head over to LearnSQL.com now and start leveling up your SQL skills today!

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