These Are the Websites You Should Know When Learning SQL

If you're diving into SQL and searching for top-notch resources to enhance your learning, you've arrived at the right article. Discover the ultimate SQL learning websites that we’ve carefully chosen to support your educational journey.

Today, I'm going to share a list of websites that will help you with learning SQL. You will find useful resources, get introduced to some fantastic communities, and expand your database knowledge. Visit these sites regularly – ideally, every day.

Whether you are a seasoned SQL veteran or a newbie in search of websites for beginners, this list helps you pick the best SQL resources for you. These websites are in no particular order and include those for beginners, intermediate users, and advanced users. Be sure to read to the end of the article for a bonus learning resource!

If you haven’t started learning SQL, I recommend starting with our SQL Basics course. It introduces you to the world of databases and will soon have you writing your own SQL queries.

What Is SQL?

SQL stands for Structured Query Language; it’s pronounced either “S-Q-L” or “sequel”. This language is designed to work with databases. You can write SQL queries to retrieve, add, update, or delete information from your database.

All SQL queries must follow SQL syntax, or a certain order of commands. This is much like the grammar of a written language, which makes SQL pretty easy to learn. In time, you’ll move from simple queries that retrieve a little information to complex queries and reports.

4 Reasons to Learn SQL

You don't need an IT degree to use SQL or relational databases. With a little practice, you can use SQL to substantially improve how you work. Let’s look at four reasons why SQL is worth learning.

Reason #1: SQL Is an Industry Standard

Source: https://imgflip.com/

Back in the 1970s and early 1980s, there were many types of databases. This created a lot of challenges. For example, migrating them was difficult and prone to mistakes. An industry standard was needed, a solution that was easy for anyone anywhere to use.

This solution was the relational database, and it has stayed around and evolved. As the language of relational databases, SQL has also become an industry standard, and it’s not going anywhere.

Over time, many different relational database management systems (DBMS) have arisen, like MySQL, PostgreSQL, and SQLite. To learn more about this, read The Most Popular Databases in 2023. And to decide which version of SQL to learn, read our article What Is a SQL Dialect, and Which One Should You Learn?

Reason #2: It’s a Popular Solution

Source: tenor.com

SQL databases have several well-appreciated characteristics, such as their stability and scalability. SQL itself is also a very versatile tool.

So, if so many companies and industries use SQL, what does that mean? It means there are a lot of SQL-related jobs!

Reason #3: The Job Opportunities

Source: tenor.com

SQL can help everyone at the office. Marketing, accounting, sales, HR, data engineering, and logistics – they can all leverage SQL. Specialists can get their work done faster without depending on the IT department. They can quickly create custom reports, manage customer databases, and so much more! Our article How SQL Helps Everyone in Your Office explains how various non-technical positions can benefit from SQL knowledge.

Employers know how valuable SQL skills are. This means knowing SQL is an asset in a job interview. Also, recent reports show SQL is one of the most in-demand job skills in the market. Just enter “SQL” in the search engine of any job-hunting site and see how many results you get. There is a lot to choose from.

Reason #4: It’s Not Hard

You don't need to be a math person or have a background in IT to use SQL. After learning just a few commands, you can start writing your queries in no time. Honestly, it's straightforward. Just read what Rebecca has to say about learning SQL in her article Is it Difficult to Learn SQL?

Top  Websites You Should Know When Learning SQL

Okay, now that you know what SQL is and why you should care, it's time for my top picks of websites to visit when you are learning SQL!

1.   The LearnSQL.com Blog

Source: learnsql.com

Not only does our website provide an efficient way to learn SQL, but its blog has many articles covering different SQL-related topics. Learning SQL is about gaining new hands-on skills, but you should also understand the technology behind those skills.

This is where our blog comes in. There are many posts on using SQL in different industries and to solve different problems. We also offer summaries of industry reports, news, tips, and many more.

If you visit the blog regularly, we'll keep you up to date with the industry. And that’s not just my opinion. Feedspot.com has raved about our blog, ranking it among the top SQL blogs on the web. It's a great honor for us to be on their list!

So, do yourself a favor. Next time you're having coffee in the morning, check out one of our articles. I'm confident it will be a great addition to your daily routine. And remember to subscribe so you can receive our free newsletter.

2.   Stack Overflow

source: stackoverflow.com

Stack Overflow is a community-driven Q&A platform for developers and other tech types, with millions of questions and answers. It’s dedicated to providing solutions to coding issues of all sorts.

There is an SQL section on the site, where users can ask or search for answers to the problems they encounter using (or learning) SQL. Bookmark this site; when you have a question, there’s a good chance your problem has already been solved by this helpful community!

3.   DZone

source: dzone.com

This is one of the world's largest online community sites for software developers. It’s full of handy tools, information, and resources for your SQL learning journey.

DZone publishes new articles daily about the latest technology trends, methodologies, and best practices. Visit this site regularly to stay up-to-date with the industry and to help your SQL learning experience.

4.   DB-Engines

source: db-engines.com

There is no SQL without databases. DB-Engines is the go-to place if you’re looking for a ton of information about database management systems. Its sole purpose is to collect and present information on various DBMSs, including NoSQL. You can compare most of them side-by-side.

This site also publishes its DB-Engines Ranking, a list of DBMS ranked by popularity. The list is updated every month.

DB-Engines also has a database encyclopedia – a treasure trove of terms and concepts across many database-related topics. It’s a database information paradise!

5.   SQL Cookbooks

source: learnsql.com

Are you looking for a recipe for success? Do you want to add some flavor to your queries? Are you missing that extra spice in your database? Look no further than our SQL cookbooks, a collection of tips and queries you can use in your own work!

While learning SQL, you’ll encounter some problems. Once you know the language, you’ll want to improve existing queries. You can find many places with solutions and inspirations, but our SQL cookbook library offers dozens of short articles about specific challenges and their solutions.

SQL users – beginners as well as those who are more advanced – find ready-to-use solutions for everyday tasks. Sometimes it's even as easy as copying and pasting the code into your project!

6.   SQL Fiddle

SQL Fiddle is an interactive online environment for experimenting with SQL queries  – no local database setup is needed. It supports various SQL dialects, allowing users to practice and test their MySQL, Oracle, PostgreSQL, etc. This versatility makes it an indispensable resource for learners who wish to understand the nuances and behaviors of SQL across multiple database technologies.

One of the standout features of SQL Fiddle is its user-friendly interface, which simplifies the process of writing, executing, and sharing SQL queries. Beginners can benefit from this by quickly testing their queries without having to install or run a database on their computer.

7.   GitHub

Source: github.com

GitHub is the world’s favorite platform for hosting and sharing code. It's not just a repository service; it's a social network for developers. Whether you're working on personal projects or collaborating with a team, GitHub provides all the tools you need to manage your code in one place.

As you dive deeper into coding, you'll find that having an online portfolio of your work becomes essential. GitHub serves as the perfect showcase for your coding projects. It allows potential employers and collaborators to see your work, follow your progress, and even contribute to your projects.

Starting with GitHub early in your coding journey sets you up for success. It's more than just storage for your code; it's a way to connect with a global community of developers, learn from others, and contribute to open-source projects. Making your work accessible on GitHub can open doors to opportunities and collaborations you hadn't imagined.

Bonus Resource: The We Learn SQL Facebook Group

Source: Facebook.com

Whether you are an experienced analyst, just starting your adventure with databases, or maybe even thinking about learning SQL, this is a place for you. It’s always good to be around like-minded people, people who enhance your learning experience, or people to whom you may be a great help! We Learn SQL is a Facebook group where databases, SQL dialects, and all things SQL are a shared passion.

This group helps you achieve your learning goals, get inspired, and stay motivated. You're just one click away from joining an awesome community!

Make Use of These Resources for Learning SQL!

There you have it – a list of the top SQL websites you should know when learning SQL. Bookmark them and include them in your daily news review.

Here are some honorable mentions that are also worth looking into:

• YouTube – YouTube is a great place to learn, with lots of simple SQL video tutorials and lectures. You can watch videos at your own pace, see how experts solve problems, and get tips for beginners, intermediate, and advanced users. It's free and you can easily replay parts you want to understand better.
• Reddit r/SQL - This subreddit is a community for SQL programmers and learners. You can ask for advice, share resources, and discuss all things SQL with others who share your interest. It’s a great place to find support and motivation from fellow learners.
• SQL Books – Even when you’re learning SQL online, you should supplement your efforts with some SQL books. My pick would be Practical SQL by Anthony DeBarros.

Learning SQL is like learning any other language. Not only do you need exposure to it every day, you also need to use it. Develop the habit of visiting and participating in these websites, then get your hands dirty – writing your own queries will help you learn SQL well.

LearnSQL.com helps you become a fluent SQL user. With 60+ hands-on courses, an online console, and a query checker, you’ll start gaining hands-on experience in no time. And you can continue to improve your skills. Just choose your course or follow one of our learning paths. You’ll quickly acquire new skills or polish your current ones. Happy learning!