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Learn Advanced SQL with LearnSQL.com

Aldo Zelen

Positional SQL window functions deal with data's location in the set. In this post, we explain LEAD, LAG, and other positional functions. SQL window functions allow us to aggregate data while still using individual row values. We've already dealt with ranking functions and the use of partitions. In this post, we'll examine positional window functions, which are extremely helpful in reporting and summarizing data. Specifically, we'll look at LAG, LEAD, FIRST_VALUE and LAST_VALUE.

SQL Statistical Analysis Part 3: Measuring Spread of Distribution

Dejan Sarka

Besides knowing the centers of a distribution in your data, you need to know how varied the observations are. In this article, we’ll explain how to find the spread of a distribution in SQL. Are you dealing with a very uniform or a very spread population? To really understand what the numbers are saying, you must know the answer to this question. In the second part of this series, we discussed how to calculate centers of distribution.

An Introduction to Using SQL Aggregate Functions with JOINs

Francisco Claria

Previously, we've discussed the use of SQL aggregate functions with the GROUP BY statement. Regular readers of the our blog will also remember our recent tutorial about JOINs. If you're a bit rusty on either subject, I encourage you to review them before continuing this article. That's because we will dig further into aggregate functions by pairing them with JOINs. This duo unleashes the full possibilities of SQL aggregate functions and allows us to perform computations on multiple tables in a single query.

A Beginner’s Guide to SQL Aggregate Functions

Francisco Claria

Aggregate functions are powerful SQL tools that compute numerical calculations on data, allowing the query to return summarized information about a given column or result set. These functions can be used in conjunction with the GROUP BY statement. Let’s see how they work using some easy examples. SQL Aggregate Functions Suppose we have users residing in a city, and we store their information in two tables. These tables and their relationship are shown below:

Useful SQL Patterns: Conditional Summarization with CASE

Aldo Zelen

As you start coding in SQL, you will use some statements and techniques over and over again. We call these "SQL patterns". This series will look at the most common SQL patterns and consider how to use them. Previously, we looked at the SQL pattern of matching NULLs. This is important when you are comparing columns containing NULL values. Today, we're going to consider another SQL practice: conditional summarization with CASE operator.

NULL Values and the GROUP BY Clause

Maria Alcaraz

We've already covered how to use the GROUP BY clause and some aggregation functions like SUM(), AVG(), MAX(), MIN(), COUNT(). In this article, we will explain how the GROUP BY clause works when NULL values are involved. We will also explain about using NULLs with the ORDER BY clause. The best way to master GROUP BY and NULL in SQL is through practice. I recommend the SQL Practice track at LearnSQL.

How to Use Aliases with SQL JOINs

Andrew Bone

SQL aliases are custom names that you can give to the columns and tables you include in your queries. Aliases are very useful, as they can greatly improve the readability and maintainability of your query. We’ll be taking a closer look at using SQL aliases with JOIN and why you might need to do so. The best way to master aliases in SQL is practice. I recommend our interactive SQL Practice Set course.

The SQL AVG() Function Explained With Examples

Himanshu Kathuria

We explain the SQL AVG() function with practical examples, covering how and where you can and cannot use it. The average is probably one of the most widely used metrics to describe some characteristics of a group. It is so versatile and useful that it can describe something about almost anything. If you like sports, you see things like average runs per game in baseball, average assists per game or per season in basketball, and so on.

The SQL Coalesce Function: Handling Null Values

Ignacio L. Bisso

You may already know how to return null values in SQL. Now, we’re going to learn how to do the opposite. Though the SQL COALESCE function may seem complex, it’s actually very straightforward and useful. Let’s look at several examples of how the SQL COALESCE function can be used to work with NULL values in SQL. The Need for Coalesce in SQL Before we dive into the SQL COALESCE function in detail, you should understand how NULL values behave in expressions.

How Often Employees Are Running Late for Work: SQL Datetime and Interval SQL Arithmetic

Ignacio L. Bisso

Computing Tardiness: Date, Time, and Interval SQL Arithmetic In this article, we’re going to discuss some interesting operations we can perform with date-related data types in SQL. The SQL standard, which most relational databases comply with these days, specifies the date-related data types that must be present in relational databases. The most important of such data types are date, time, timestamp, and interval. Here’s a brief rundown of the differences between these data types:

LearnSQL.com For Your Business

b2b offer

LearnSQL.com Team

Are you thinking about SQL training for your employees? See how much you have to gain by choosing LearnSQL.com and how we can help you grow your business. .pre-header { color: #006DFF; text-transform: uppercase; letter-spacing: 2px; font-size: 14px; font-weight: 400; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 60px; } We live in a time when the ability to process data is crucial. Data is a key resource, the use of which can give you an edge in the market.

How to Set Up a Company SQL Training Program with LearnSQL.com

Kateryna Koidan

Are you looking to set up a business or corporate SQL training for your company's employees? In this article, we’ll discuss how to build an efficient SQL training program and why the LearnSQL.com platform is the choice of leading tech companies. If you are responsible for employees’ professional development – especially in a data-driven company – you know that SQL is essential for anyone who works with data. This programming language can enhance the performance of data and business analysts (for whom SQL is often a primary tool) as well as marketers, salespeople, HR specialists, auditors, and many more.

LearnSQL Track of the Season: SQL from A to Z

LearnSQL.com Team

The ability to analyze data is one of the most sought-after skills in job applicants. Why? Because all organizations want to take advantage of the power of data. And one of the basic tools for that is SQL! See why we have chosen the SQL A to Z track as our track of the season. This fall, take your analytical skills to the next level! Let's start with the basics.

SQL Track of the Season: SQL Fundamentals in PostgreSQL

Jakub Romanowski

Are you ready for a new challenge this spring? Check out our SQL Track of the Season: SQL Fundamentals in PostgreSQL! In this article, we’ll answer common questions about this track. It’s getting warmer. The flowers are slowly beginning to bloom. This can mean only one thing – spring is here. The world is coming to life after its wintertime lethargy. This is a great time for new challenges. Do you want to add something to your skillset?

LearnSQL Track of the Season: Creating Database Structure

LearnSQL.com Team

New year, new challenges, and ... a new SQL Track of the Season! Start 2021 by learning SQL and data engineering. In this article, we answer frequently asked questions about our Creating Database Structure track. Maybe you haven't noticed yet that there’s an order to many LearnSQL.com courses; you can learn SQL by doing them in the right order. We call this option our ‘SQL tracks’. These are logically structured and well-thought-out learning paths that will help you take the next steps towards becoming an SQL expert.

SQL Means Business - The Way of an Engineer

Jakub Romanowski

Have you been wondering why some companies fail and others achieve success? It's not a matter of luck but of the right people. Łukasz Kubicki at Vertabelo deals with business and product development. I asked him how he started his adventure with programming, how an engineer got into business, and if he liked playing computer games. Here's what he said. If you were to write one sentence about yourself, what would it be?

Did You Know LearnSQL.com Has Free SQL Courses?

Jakub Romanowski

Who doesn't like getting something for free? Each month, we give LearnSQL.com users a bit of help in their learning journey – a free, fully interactive SQL course. Since April, we have been giving our users the opportunity to learn SQL for free. Each month, we choose one of our SQL courses and give you full access to it for that month – completely free of charge! Cool, right?

Behind the Scenes at LearnSQL.com: How Our SQL Courses Are Created

Agnieszka Kozubek-Krycuń

Take a peek behind the scenes and learn our secret for creating great SQL courses! Have you ever wondered how LearnSQL.com courses are created? Are we looking at a lot of hard work or just a bit of magic? Or maybe both? Here’s a hint: we rely on proven methods to create user-friendly online courses. But it’s not easy! Read on to see the 8 steps we take when creating a new SQL course.

LearnSQL Track of the Season: SQL from A to Z

LearnSQL.com Team

During Fall 2020, our main SQL track, SQL from A to Z, will be in the spotlight. In this article, we answer the most frequently asked questions about this track. At LearnSQL.com, our SQL courses are organized into tracks. A track is a sequence of courses designed to help you achieve a specific learning goal. The courses in the track are in a recommended order that progresses from the easiest to the most challenging.

A Mathematician in the World of SQL

Jakub Romanowski

She has a PhD in Mathematics and over 10 years’ experience teaching mathematics and computer science at the University of Warsaw. She knows SQL better than just about anyone I’ve met. Let’s get to know Agnieszka Kozubek-Krycuń, Vertabelo’s Chief Content Officer at Vertabelo. Let's go back in time. How did your adventure with math start? I’ve always enjoyed abstract concepts and problem solving. I was fascinated by variables when we learned to solve simple equations like x+2=5 in primary school.

You Want to Learn SQL? You've Come to the Right Place!

Dorota Wdzięczna

It is difficult to list all the benefits of learning SQL. You will work faster and more efficiently with a database, you will no longer be dependent on the IT department, and you will be able to analyze the data yourself and draw appropriate conclusions, among others. Add reporting to this, and you will get a very wide range of cool and useful skills. Maybe you want to change jobs or get a promotion?

Why Take the “SQL Basics” Course at LearnSQL.com

Agnieszka Kozubek-Krycuń

LearnSQL.com’s interactive “SQL Basics” course teaches the foundations of SQL. Discover why we built this online course, our philosophy behind it, and what it contains! What Is SQL, and Why Should You Learn It? SQL is a language used to talk to databases, computer programs that hold data and can process it efficiently. SQL can select data from a database and perform various computations on the data, be they simple or complex.

The Man Behind LearnSQL.com

behind the scenes

Jakub Romanowski

If it wasn't for this guy, LearnSQL.com would never have been created. He manages the entire company, makes strategic decisions – and talks little about himself. Who is the man behind LearnSQL.com? Meet Vertabelo CEO Jarosław Błąd. SELECT interests, early_career, advice FROM Jarek AS the_man_behind_learnsql.com WHERE answer IS NOT Null AND success IS True; If you were to write one sentence about yourself, what would it be? I think I would say that I am an ordinary, simple guy who really likes what he does.

SQL Cookbook with Recipes for Success

Dorota Wdzięczna

The internet holds a lot of information and can provide solutions to various problems. SQL users, both beginners and advanced, often turn to the internet for help with SQL queries. This article will help you find the right SQL queries to solve your problems. Learn what the SQL Cookbook is and why you should use it. You will also find a list of the most important recipes, from which you will prepare a great SQL dish with the taste of success.

How to Get More from Your BI Tools with SQL

András Novoszáth

Are you frustrated with the limitations of your business analytics tool? Do you wonder if there are other features you could tap into? Would you like to know how SQL compliments your work with Power BI and Tableau? Read this article to learn more! If you are a data analyst or if data analysis is part of your everyday job, Business Intelligence (BI) tools are crucial for your work. You also know that most databases run SQL queries in the background of such tools.

An Overview of SQL Text Functions in Google BigQuery

Tihomir Babic

Data analysts and Google BigQuery go hand in hand. Google's cloud data warehouse presents you with plenty of opportunities for using standard SQL text functions you can't avoid in your day-to-day work as a data analyst. BigQuery uses Google Standard SQL, an ANSI-compliant SQL dialect. This means you can use standard SQL text functions in BigQuery without needing to learn a variant of a given function. The Standard SQL Functions course is an excellent resource for learning those functions.

2nd Anniversary of LearnSQL.com

LearnSQL.com Team

It’s happening! Today we celebrate the 2nd anniversary of Learn SQL.com. We have come a long way together. Thank you for being with us and we promise to get even better every day! 731 days have passed since February 23, 2020, when we launched the LearnSQL.com platform. That's 17544 hours or 63158400 seconds if you prefer. It's been a long time, but it feels like yesterday that we started out together.

Anniversary of LearnSQL.com

LearnSQL.com Team

Consider the period from Feb. 23, 2020 to Feb. 22, 2021. A year, 255 working days. Is that a lot of time? Well, it depends. For the LearnSQL.com Team, the time has passed blazingly fast. If someone had told us a year ago that we would be where we are now, we would have said, ‘We wish!’. We had a clear vision and a plan to create the most comprehensive SQL training platform in the world, with the best set of hands-on online SQL courses, and top-notch reading materials.

SQL Books for Beginners

Kamila Ostrowska

How can you learn SQL more efficiently? Besides a good online course, find an interesting book to enrich your knowledge. Here are the best SQL books for beginners. SQL, or Structured Query Language, is a very powerful tool to work with many types of data. If you are interested in learning SQL you probably know how useful it is, and how widely it is needed. To learn SQL successfully, a solid online course for beginners like our SQL Basics is a great start.

The Best SQL Books for 2023

sql
book

Himanshu Kathuria

SQL, or Structured Query Language, has emerged as one of the top skills demanded by recruiters for data related jobs. What books will help you learn SQL and level up your skills? SQL is a programming language that allows you to retrieve and manipulate data stored in a database. Its English-like syntax enables you to run through gigabytes of useful information in a matter of seconds. No wonder the number of people looking to learn SQL is higher than ever!

The Best SQL Books for 2022

sql
book

Jakub Romanowski

Many of our users keep asking what SQL books they should read to develop their skills. This is a great way to extend the knowledge you gained in online courses. Here are my picks for the SQL-related books you should read in 2022. It's January – a time of planning and New Year's resolutions. Put reading and learning SQL on your list. I've read many books on SQL. Some were great, while others were quite mediocre (to say the least).

Interviewing Data with Anthony DeBarros, Author of Practical SQL

Jakub Romanowski

Some make model ships, others collect stamps. I read SQL books. I've read a lot of them, but only a very few deserve to be called really good. Some of them were included in my last year's Six Favorite SQL Books list. The good news is that one of them just got a new release. It was great, even better than the previous edition! Moreover, I was able to talk to its author, Anthony DeBarros.

Read These 5 Data Analysis Books to Jump-Start Your Career

András Novoszáth

Do you want to pivot into a data analyst role, but you are unsure where to start? Do you do analytics in your job and would like to learn more about the big picture of data? Are you looking for a great data analysis book to read? In this article, you will find our selection of the best books on data analysis! If you are a business professional thinking about picking up data analytics skills, you may be wondering how you should start.

Which SQL Books Should You Read in 2021?

Jakub Romanowski

Readers keep asking for books that I can recommend to complement our SQL courses. There are quite a lot of SQL books on the market, but only a few are worth your attention. See which SQL-related books to read in 2021. A while ago, I wrote an article about my favorite SQL books for 2020. I chose books about various aspects of working with databases with the goal of helping you get a clear picture of SQL in the real world.

Our 6 Favorite SQL Books

Jakub Romanowski

So you want to learn SQL and query databases? Great! Check out these six SQL books for an in-depth look at the language and you’ll be writing queries in no time! You take SQL courses, participate in internet discussions and forums, watch tutorials on YouTube... What else can you do to develop your skills? Sometimes it’s good to reach for old-fashioned sources of knowledge: SQL books. Which book(s) should you choose?

Book Review: “Learn SQL the Hard Way” by Zed A. Shaw

Marek Pankowski

“Learn SQL the Hard Way” by Zed A. Shaw is a great ebook for those who want to learn SQL essentials. At $19.99 USD, it may seem a bit expensive for an ebook, but you’re getting a DRM-free PDF, plus a whole bunch of explanatory videos and additional files. Who should read “Learn SQL the Hard Way”? Anyone interested in SQL basics – modifying databases or selecting information. Make no mistake about it: this book focuses heavily on the practical side of database language.

LearnSQL.com Review: “SQL Cookbook” by Anthony Molinaro

Kacper Skawina

Recipes that make querying easy, even for the novice. In today’s information age, we have at our fingertips almost an overabundance of teaching and information on any and every subject. In the midst of this glut of information, it can be hard to decide which is the best source for our needs. But, fear not; we are here to assist you as you navigate through decisions about books on SQL topics!

5 Books That Will Grow Your SQL Skills

Aldo Zelen

Which books will help you build your database skills? We look at five awesome SQL books. There’s a common saying that “all wise men read books”. I would say that all professionals read books – particularly those related to their field. There are many books about databases and SQL; most are tied to specific vendors (DB2, Oracle, MS SQL) but there are also plenty that are vendor-neutral. In this article, I’m going to review a few books that I would recommend to SQL learners at various levels of proficiency.

Can SQL Help Solve Crossword Puzzles?

Patrycja Dybka

Everyone has solved crossword puzzles and has certainly had some problems finding an appropriate word. Thanks to SQL, it is ridiculously simple to quickly dispel your crossword doubts and give you the correct answers. Of course, Google is commonly known as a universal cure for many doubts, but handling the problem yourself is much more rewarding. Recently I came across some simple and interesting examples from Andrew Cumming's book "

The Best Books for Data Engineers

Kamila Ostrowska

Are you tired of staring at a computer all day? Maybe it’s time to read a book. Take a moment to check out our list of recommended books for data engineers. They will help you deepen your knowledge about databases. Last year, we shared a list of the best books to learn SQL. This time, I want to introduce five books for data engineers. They are worth reading and will help you learn more about databases.

SQL Statistical Analysis Part 2: Calculating Centers of Distribution

Dejan Sarka

My previous article explained how to calculate frequencies using T-SQL queries. Frequencies are used to analyze the distribution of discrete variables. Today, we’ll continue learning about statistics and SQL. In particular, we’ll focus on calculating centers of distribution. We’ll learn e.g. how to calculate the SQL median, what functions to use to calculate the SQL mode, and how to calculate various types of mean in SQL (geometric mean, harmonic mean and, of course, arithmetic mean).

SQL Statistical Analysis Part 1: Calculating Frequencies and Histograms

Dejan Sarka

Database and Business Intelligence (BI) developers create huge numbers of reports on a daily basis, and data analyses are an integral part of them. If you wonder whether you can perform statistical analysis in SQL, the answer is ‘yes’. Read my article to learn how to do this! Statistics are very useful as an initial stage of a more in-depth analysis, i.e. for data overview and data quality assessment. However, SQL statistical analysis possibilities are somewhat limited as there are not many statistical functions in SQL Server.

Why Use SQL Over Excel

How to Solve Capitalization Data Quality Issues

Ignacio L. Bisso

Misspelled names, typos, and text data quality issues in your database? Power up your queries! Use SQL string functions to address data quality issues related to capitalization. Sometimes, our SQL queries don't work as expected because of data quality issues. In this article, we will examine some string-related SQL functions that can correct data quality issues related to capitalization. We'll be using PostgreSQL in our examples, but similar functions are available in most database engines.

Preventing Common SQL Mistakes

Francisco Claria

Regardless of the engine you are using (SQL Server, MySQL, Oracle, etc.), you can prevent common errors and simplify the debugging process. This article will discuss some of the common SQL mistakes you’ll face and will help you correct them easily. One of the best ways to prevent the most common SQL mistakes is to keep your queries clear and readable. It’s very easy to forget the ideas behind your code!

SQL CTE Explained

How to Export Data from MySQL into a CSV File

Martyna Sławińska

A database is a primary platform for working with data and storing data. But often, you must take your data out of the database. Read on to find out how to export data from MySQL database into a CSV file. In this article, we’ll demonstrate how to export data into a CSV file. We’ll start by introducing what a CSV file is and why we use it. Then, we’ll export data from a MySQL database into a CSV file.

How to Import a CSV File to a MySQL Database

sql
csv

Adrian Więch

The SQL language offers a feature named Common Table Expressions, or CTEs. Also known as WITH clauses, CTEs are a fairly new addition to SQL. They help you break longer queries into smaller chunks, making your queries much easier to understand. Read the article to find out how to use CTEs and how they differ from traditional subqueries. Common Table Expressions (CTEs), which are essentially named subqueries, were first mentioned in the SQL standard between 1999 and 2000.

SQL CTEs Explained with Examples

Kateryna Koidan

Learn how you can leverage the power of Common Table Expressions (CTEs) to improve the organization and readability of your SQL queries. The commonly used abbreviation CTE stands for Common Table Expression. To learn about SQL Common Table Expressions through practice, I recommend the interactive Recursive Queries course at LearnSQL.com. It contains over 100 hands-on exercises on simple and complex recursive CTEs. What does a CTE do? Why might you want to use one in your SQL code?

When Should I Use a Common Table Expression (CTE)?

Tihomir Babic

Interested in hearing more about common table expressions or CTEs? Would you like to know when CTEs are useful? Read on—we’ll discuss in this article. If you’ve heard of common table expressions, you’ve probably wondered what they do. Even if you have not, it’s good that you’re here! CTEs can be very useful, especially if you have already mastered the basics of SQL, such as selecting, ordering, filtering data, and joining tables.

What Is a CTE?

tips
cte

Marek Pankowski

The first long SQL query you’ll have to deal with is likely to be hard for you to structure and understand. These five tips will teach you the best way to organize SQL queries, i.e. write and format them. As we all know, SQL queries are essential to database management. Without them, it would be extremely difficult to find and work with the information in a database. Query length depends on the type of information we need and the size of the database.

Improving Query Readability with Common Table Expressions

Here’s How I Started Creating SQL Reports

Karolina Niewiarowska

Once upon a time, there was a girl who was just starting her adventure with learning SQL. As a marketer, one of her tasks was writing reports. Previously, she used Excel, a calculator, and written notes to prepare the reports her boss required. One day, it turned out that she could do her job much faster and easier. That was the day she read about SQL reports for the first time.

Here’s Why You Should Use SQL for Sales Analytics

András Novoszáth

Would you like to understand how your sales efforts play out so that you know where to put your focus? Do you want to empower your sales teams with sales analytics? This article shows you how you can use SQL to use your sales data to your advantage. If you work in sales, understanding the activities that produce results has financial consequences for you, your team, and your company. This is where sales analytics can really help you.

Maria Durkin

So, you want to be a data engineer, but you don't know how to get there. In this article, we’ll help you understand the skills you'll need for different types of data engineering jobs. You’ll also find some data confirming that data engineer jobs are a good career choice. Data engineering and various types of data engineer jobs have become very popular in recent years. And for good reason: Next to data science, data engineering is one of the fastest-growing branches of IT.

What Is the Future of the Data Engineer?

Himanshu Kathuria

If you are wondering about the future of data engineering as a career and whether it is worth becoming a data engineer, then this article is for you. Here, I cover how lucrative the prospects are for data engineering and how you can get started and thrive in the domain. “Data” is probably one of the most used terms in our everyday business language today. A data engineer plays a pivotal role in developing the infrastructure required for data-related actions.

7 Things Every Data Engineer Should Know

Kateryna Koidan

People generate massive amounts of data every day. To get insights from data, organizations need to capture and process them efficiently. That is when data engineers are called up. In this article, I’ll discuss the data engineering role and the skill set necessary to succeed in the role. As the world generates more and more data every year, the IT industry creates new roles to deal with it. These roles include data analysts, data scientists, machine learning engineers, and data engineers.

An Overview of MS SQL Server Data Types

Martyna Sławińska

SQL Server data types define what can be stored in a column, local variable, expression, or parameter. It is essential to pick the right data type. Ultimately. your choice of data types affects the whole database. Read on to learn about all of the data types available in MS SQL Server. In this article, we’ll cover numerical, text, and date and time data type categories in detail. We’ll go through their syntax, storage size, and typical use cases.

New to Data Engineering? Don't Make These Mistakes

Himanshu Kathuria

It's best to learn from the mistakes of others. This advice also works for data engineering. In this article, you'll find tips to help you advance your career and avoid common data engineering mistakes. The data revolution has produced tremendous opportunities and created various high-paying jobs related to the collection, maintenance, and manipulation of data. Data engineering is one of the most lucrative and interesting jobs of this family.

What Is the Difference Between a Primary Key and a Unique Key?

Martyna Sławińska

When designing a database, we often need to decide between defining a primary key vs. a unique key. Both of them are crucial during the design and further phases of a database. They allow us to uniquely identify each row, ensure the uniqueness of values in the column(s), and more. Let’s take a deep dive to learn more. This article will go through the primary and unique keys, their functions, and features.

Data Analyst vs. Data Engineer: A Full Comparison

András Novoszáth

Do you want to become a data analyst? Or maybe you dream about being a data engineer? Can't make up your mind? I'll help you. Read about the two roles’ history, their market situation, and the skills you need to become one. You already know that it's a good idea to enter the data world and work with databases. But how to do it? Behind which door is the better career waiting for you?

What Is a NOT NULL Constraint in SQL?

Ignacio L. Bisso

SQL has several ways of dealing with NULLs. In this article, we’ll focus on the NOT NULL constraint and other NULL-related clauses. Understand this and you’ll take an important step in your SQL growth! Before we get straight into the NOT NULL constraint, let’s quickly define what NULLs and constraints are. NULL values are a central concept in SQL databases. The idea behind a NULL value is simple: a NULL value means that we do not have a known value for that field.

What Is a Unique Constraint in SQL?

Martyna Sławińska

To ensure the uniqueness of data in a database, we use the SQL UNIQUE constraint. In this article, we’ll discuss how, when, and why to implement it. The idea of a unique constraint is not unique to SQL; it’s a familiar concept in real life, although we probably call it something else! For example, think of ID numbers. There can be only one social security number (SSN) per person and each one must be unique.

Data Types in SQL

Ignacio L. Bisso

Read this article and learn the ABC of SQL data types. Data types are used to define the type of data stored in a database. However, there are related concepts that a good SQL developer should know: data type conversion, what operations are possible between different data types, date arithmetic, etc. SQL also provides functions that manipulate values of different data types (i.e. functions for string data, date and time data, etc.

What Is Auto-Increment in SQL?

Martyna Sławińska

In this article, we’ll learn the basics of the auto-increment feature of SQL: what it is and how to use it efficiently. One of the many features offered by SQL is auto-increment. It allows us to automatically generate values in a numeric column upon row insertion. You could think of it as an automatically supplied default value – the next number in a number sequence – that’s generated when the row is inserted.

LearnSQL Track of the Season: Creating Database Structure

LearnSQL.com Team

New year, new challenges, and ... a new SQL Track of the Season! Start 2021 by learning SQL and data engineering. In this article, we answer frequently asked questions about our Creating Database Structure track. Maybe you haven't noticed yet that there’s an order to many LearnSQL.com courses; you can learn SQL by doing them in the right order. We call this option our ‘SQL tracks’. These are logically structured and well-thought-out learning paths that will help you take the next steps towards becoming an SQL expert.

What is an SQL View?

Martyna Sławińska

A view is a well-known feature in SQL. It allows you to create a virtual table based on an SQL query referring to other tables in the database. A view stores an SQL query that is executed whenever you refer to the view. This is a convenient way to get the desired data because it is easier to run a query stored in a view than to type a query from scratch.

What Is a Foreign Key in SQL?

Ignacio L. Bisso

What does a foreign key do in SQL? Why would you need one? Learn the ABCs of foreign keys in five minutes. Foreign keys are a central concept in SQL databases; they allow us to enforce data consistency. Usually they work with primary keys to connect two database tables, like a virtual bridge. All SQL developers need to know what SQL foreign keys are, how they work, what data values are allowed in them, and how they’re created.

What Is a SQL Constraint?

Martyna Sławińska

What are SQL constraints? When and why should you use them? We give examples of common constraints and demonstrate how to apply them. When you’re creating a relational database, you often want to impose certain restrictions on some columns. For example, a column containing a social security number should store only unique values; a column containing a date of birth should not be null, or left empty. These conditions can be ensured by using SQL constraints.

Top 7 Online Courses for Data Engineers

Zahin Rahman

This article summarizes the top online courses available for data engineers. We have picks suitable for beginners as well as intermediate learners. If you’re interested in database design and management, check these courses out! Most individuals who aspire to enter the realm of data aim for data scientist or data analyst roles. While these roles are indeed very rewarding because of their tangible links to customers and business direction, the role of data engineers is equally vital for businesses that operate in a data-rich environment.

What is a Primary Key in SQL?

Ignacio L. Bisso

Primary keys are an important concept in SQL databases. They provide a unique ID for every row in a database table. As an SQL developer, you should know what primary keys are, what data values are allowed in them, and how to create them. Read this article to learn the ABCs of primary keys in 10 minutes. How to Identify Rows in a Table Tables are the main objects in an SQL database, and as you probably know, tables store records or rows.

What Is a DBMS?

Adrian Więch

We generate vast quantities every day, and that data needs to be stored somehow. That’s where DBMSs come in handy. Find out what they are and how they relate to databases. If you go on a diet and simply want to keep track of your weight, you can probably use a piece of paper and a pencil. If you then want to chart your daily caloric intake, you’ll probably switch to something like a computer spreadsheet.

How to Create Your First Table in SQL

Marija Ilic

Creating a database table with SQL is one of the core skills you’ll need to work with data. And it’s easy to learn, so let’s get started! Imagine you’re analyzing data and want to store your results in a database table. Sure, you've done this a million times in Excel. But you’re not sure how to create a table with SQL. Or maybe you’ve noticed that data engineering is in high demand and you want to start learning its core concepts.

How Much Do Data Engineers Earn in 2020?

Marcin Koryszewski

Data engineering is a hot job right now. What does a data engineer do? And just how much do they earn? We’ve done the research for you. If you are reading this, you’re either starting to learn SQL or you already know some and feel it’s time to look around for a SQL job. Maybe you’re in the midst of tackling our Creating Database Structure track. And, let’s be honest, maybe you need some extra motivation to keep on you track.

How to Create a Table in SQL

Dorota Wdzięczna

Creating tables in databases is a very helpful skill, and not just for software engineers or database administrators. It allows you to design or change the structure of a database and store data that’s related to each other. In this article, you’ll learn what a database table is, who creates them, and how to use the syntax of the CREATE TABLE command. What Is a Database Table? A relational database is built of various structures like tables, views, procedures, and triggers.

Who Is a Data Engineer?

Adrian Więch

A new kind of job has recently emerged in the IT world: Data Engineer. At first sight, it may seem very similar to Data Analyst or Data Scientist positions. However, our article explains all the important differences. We present the skills, tools, and everyday tasks of Data Engineers. We also explain how you can get started with this career path. Thirty years ago, we typically used terms such as “Computer Scientist” when referring to anyone working with computers.

LearnSQL.com’s New Learning Path: Data Engineering

LearnSQL.com Team

Calling all future data engineers! Would you like to learn to use SQL? Then our new Data Engineering Learning Path is just for you! We’re very excited to announce the release of a new learning path at LearnSQL.com: Data Engineering, published in July 2020. This is the second learning path offered in our platform. So far, we offered an analytical path, SQL Querying & Reporting, that focuses on writing queries and business reports in SQL.

What Is Data Engineering?

Adrian Więch

Data Engineering is a fairly new term in IT. And it’s getting more and more attention. You may have heard about a few similar fields like data science, Big Data, and machine learning. This article explains the difference between these concepts and shows how they can be combined to analyze vast amounts of data. When computers first appeared, their storage capacity was very limited. Do you remember floppy disks? They were popular in the late 20th century and typically offered around 1.

TRUNCATE TABLE vs. DELETE vs. DROP TABLE: Removing Tables and Data in SQL

Dorota Wdzięczna

What’s the difference between truncating, deleting, and dropping a table in SQL? Find out in this article. There are a lot of ways to delete data in SQL, including the DELETE, TRUNCATE TABLE and DROP TABLE commands. Which one should you use in a given situation? In this article, you’ll learn the syntax of each command in different database engines like MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQL Server, and Oracle. And you’ll understand the DROP TABLE vs.

Simplify SQL Code: Recursive Queries in DBMS

Aldo Zelen

Hey SQL users! Are you repeating the same query in every report? Are your queries getting too complicated? Use recursive queries to simplify SQL code! Too many SQL reports can lead to clutter on your desktop and in your head. And is it really necessary to code each of them separately? Ad-hoc queries can share much of the same SQL code with managerial reports and even regulatory reports. Suppose you’ve been writing basic SQL code for a while.

Using CASE with Data Modifying Statements

Dorota Wdzięczna

What happens when you combine CASE with SQL's data modifying statements? Find out in this article. The CASE expression is a very useful part of SQL and one that you'll employ frequently. We've already covered what the CASE expression does, how to format it, and how to use it in a SELECT statement in "Using CASE to Add Logic to a SELECT". Another article, "How to Sort Records with the ORDER BY Clause"

Extracting Data From a String: SPLIT_PART in PostgreSQL

Ignacio L. Bisso

Learn how to use split_part in PostgreSQL to extract data from strings. Quite often, we’d like to extract parts of a string when working with text values. A common example is when we have a full name and need to retrieve only the last name. In this article, we’ll examine how to do it using split_part in PostgreSQL, i.e. a string-related function that can be used to extract a substring.

How to Remove Junk Characters in SQL

Ignacio L. Bisso

Unwanted characters in text data can be a bit of a pain, but there’s an easy way to fix them. Scroll down to learn how to remove junk characters in SQL in the easiest way! Sometimes, we’ll find unwanted characters inside our string data because our SQL queries didn’t work as expected. Moreover, these extra characters may sometimes be invisible, which really complicates things. In this article, we’ll examine some string-related SQL functions that can handle unwanted characters—visible or not!

How to Solve Capitalization Data Quality Issues

Ignacio L. Bisso

Misspelled names, typos, and text data quality issues in your database? Power up your queries! Use SQL string functions to address data quality issues related to capitalization. Sometimes, our SQL queries don't work as expected because of data quality issues. In this article, we will examine some string-related SQL functions that can correct data quality issues related to capitalization. We'll be using PostgreSQL in our examples, but similar functions are available in most database engines.

Learn SQL for Data Science With LearnSQL.com

Kateryna Koidan

If you are interested in a data science career and have looked at a few relevant job descriptions, you've probably noticed many leading tech companies expect their data scientists to know SQL. Let's see how you can learn SQL for data science and become more valuable to any data-driven organization. A data scientist is a complex technical role that expects a combination of the skills of a statistician, a business analyst, and an IT expert.

Understanding Numerical Data Types in SQL

Aldo Zelen

Working with databases of any kind means working with data. This data can take a couple of predefined formats. As you start on your learning path with LearnSQL.com, you will start to understand SQL's different data types. In this article, we will cover different variations of the SQL numeric data type. We'll also examine some functions that convert data from one type to another. Creating tables is the first step in any SQL coding project.

How to Recognize SQL Text Data Type

data types

Aldo Zelen

How can you store textual information in database tables? Thanks to this post, you’ll learn the characteristics of every text data type in SQL Note: This post is intended for readers familiar with SQL data definition language (DDL) and the DDL CREATE statement. To learn more about DDL, check out LearnSQL.com. Most data types are classified as NUMERIC, CHARACTER, or DATE. In this post, we’re going to focus on each CHARACTER or text data type in SQL.

How to Join Tables in SQL Without Using JOINs

Tihomir Babic

Here’s how you can combine tables without the JOIN keyword. It seems like it shouldn’t be possible: join tables in SQL without using the JOIN keyword. But using the JOIN keyword is not the only way to join tables in SQL. This article will show you two additional methods for joining tables. Neither of them requires the JOIN keyword to work. They are: Using a comma between the table names in the FROM clause and specifying the joining condition in a WHERE Using UNION/UNION ALL.

The Most Popular Databases in 2023

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Kamila Ostrowska

Have you heard about databases but you’re not sure which database to work with? In this article, you’ll find a list of today’s most popular databases and a quick summary of what each one does. Businesses run on data. But to get the most from that data, it needs to be stored in a structured way – usually in a database. If there’s a lot of data or if you need to do more than just basic analysis, Excel or any other spreadsheet might not be enough.

What Is an SQL Database?

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database

Luke Hande

SQL databases have been used for decades and have grown in popularity, becoming one of the most common data management tools. They provide the user with an efficient way to store the data and an intuitive way to access or modify it. In this article, we’ll start by explaining what a database is and showing some examples. We’ll move on to how databases can be used to efficiently work with large amounts of structured data.

The Most Popular Databases for 2022

database
sql

Himanshu Kathuria

With the number of database products increasing with each passing year, it is important to understand which database best fits your use case. This article lists the top-ranking databases available in the market today. When something that first became popular in the early 1980s is not slowly fading away but is still evolving and becoming more relevant, you know it had to be an important invention. The database is no exception.

How to Practice SQL Window Functions Online

database design

Tihomir Babic

Learn and practice SQL window functions from the comfort of your home! Here’s how to do it. The last few years have shown that working from home has many benefits over the daily commute. No wonder people are reluctant to go back to the office! They have much more time while doing the same work. What do you do with the extra time? Whatever you want. It’s your time!

Useful SQL Patterns: Date Generator

Aldo Zelen

As you start coding in SQL, you will use some statements and techniques over and over again. We call these “SQL patterns”. This series will look at the most common SQL patterns and consider how to use them. SQL patterns, such as the pivot pattern we discussed last week, can save you a lot of time and effort. Suppose you are asked to get a range of days in a financial quarter, but the only records you have are for the start and end dates of each quarter.

Performing Calculations on Date- and Time-Related Values

Maria Alcaraz

Relational databases support several date and time data types. In this article, we'll look at several arithmetic operations we can do on these types. These operations are logical and understandable, even for the beginning SQL coder. Let's first briefly explain the main data types used for dates and times. Keep in mind that data types may differ by database engine, so check your database documentation for specifics before you start working with them.

The Most Useful Date and Time Functions

Patrycja Dybka

Date and time functions and formats are quite different in various databases. In this article, let's review the most common functions that manipulates dates in an Oracle database. The function SYSDATE() returns a 7 byte binary data element whose bytes represents: century, year, month, day, hour, minute, second It's important to know that select sysdate from dual in SQL*Plus gives the same result as select to_char(sysdate) from dual because SQL*Plus binds everything into character strings so it can print it.

The SQL Coalesce Function: Handling Null Values

Ignacio L. Bisso

You may already know how to return null values in SQL. Now, we’re going to learn how to do the opposite. Though the SQL COALESCE function may seem complex, it’s actually very straightforward and useful. Let’s look at several examples of how the SQL COALESCE function can be used to work with NULL values in SQL. The Need for Coalesce in SQL Before we dive into the SQL COALESCE function in detail, you should understand how NULL values behave in expressions.

How Often Employees Are Running Late for Work: SQL Datetime and Interval SQL Arithmetic

Ignacio L. Bisso

Computing Tardiness: Date, Time, and Interval SQL Arithmetic In this article, we’re going to discuss some interesting operations we can perform with date-related data types in SQL. The SQL standard, which most relational databases comply with these days, specifies the date-related data types that must be present in relational databases. The most important of such data types are date, time, timestamp, and interval. Here’s a brief rundown of the differences between these data types:

18 Useful Important SQL Functions to Learn ASAP

Aldo Zelen

Beginning with SQL: Useful Functions to Master Learning a new programming language can seem intimidating. Like any other language, a programming language has a large vocabulary that you need to master. In this article, we'll look at some of the most useful SQL functions that you need to know. There are many useful SQL functions for working with different data types. Once you practice with some of the most common ones, you'll gain enough confidence to move on to more advanced material.

What Are DDL, DML, DQL, and DCL in SQL?

Marko Calasan

We explore the separation of SQL into its four principal sublanguages and explain the meaning behind each of them. When you’re learning SQL – perhaps through LearnSQL.com’s very own comprehensive SQL Basics course – you may have come across the terms DDL, DML, DQL, and DCL. And maybe you’ve gotten confused by all the acronyms. In this article, we will explain what these terms stand for and how they correspond to sublanguages that neatly divide the SQL language into four parts that function together.

What Are DDL, DML, DQL, and DCL in SQL?

Marko Calasan

We explore the separation of SQL into its four principal sublanguages and explain the meaning behind each of them. When you’re learning SQL – perhaps through LearnSQL.com’s very own comprehensive SQL Basics course – you may have come across the terms DDL, DML, DQL, and DCL. And maybe you’ve gotten confused by all the acronyms. In this article, we will explain what these terms stand for and how they correspond to sublanguages that neatly divide the SQL language into four parts that function together.

What Is the DELETE Statement in SQL?

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Kamila Ostrowska

Practicing new skills online needs motivation and self-discipline, but it’s worth it. We’re facing a difficult, uncertain time. On one hand, the COVID pandemic caused a lot of fear. What will happen in the future? Will I keep my job? Will we stay safe and healthy? On the other hand, COVID is giving us a lot of time. Working remotely, not having anything to do but stay home and… And what?

Top 5 Beginner Online SQL Courses in 2020

Arleta Więch

Looking for an exciting new career? Data analysis won’t disappoint you! The simplest way to make this possible is by learning SQL, and online SQL courses are the most effective learning method. Don’t know where to start? Here’s an overview of the best online SQL courses for complete beginners. There are infinite reasons for changing your industry. You may want to land a new job because you’re burnt out. You may be bored and want something more challenging.

Choose the Best Way to Learn SQL

Arleta Więch

SQL has become a hot topic in the professional world, and many resources have appeared both online and offline for learning SQL. It’s easy to get lost in the jungle of books, tutorials, and courses. Which resources do you choose? If you want to know how to learn SQL quickly and effectively, take a look at my list. There are many reasons for learning SQL. We asked our users about them and learned that there was no universal motive.

Online Education in the Times of COVID-19

LearnSQL.com Team

LearnSQL.com grants free access to their Interactive courses till 04/20/2020. People around the world are faced with a new challenge. A challenge which requires swift action and adaptability. Students and teachers, employers and employees, families and friends. Many have shown vigilance and decisiveness, while at the same time trying their best to maintain their everyday-life continuity. However, there are those who, due to the current circumstances, need to postpone plans and invest their resources in different areas.

Stay at Home and Learn SQL for Free with LearnSQL.com

LearnSQL.com Team

Working remotely is a dream come true for some. You ditch commuting and have more time for the people you love and the things you enjoy. For others, it's a challenge to maintain their focus when there are new distractions. It's also an opportunity to invest the few gained hours in learning something new. Staying at home can be a time when you might find yourself busier than you've ever been, but not getting many things done, and worse, not learning what you planned to.

What Programming Language Should You Learn?

Magdalena Wojtas

If you've ever been wondering which programming language you should learn first, you know that's a tough nut to crack. It’s especially difficult if you are new to IT and programming. In this article, I give suggestions for what to learn first and what perspectives each language can give you in IT. There are hundreds of programming languages, and new ones are showing up all the time. Getting to know all of them is simply impractical and impossible.

How to Study Online: 5 Steps to Becoming an Effective Learner

Kamila Ostrowska

If you suffer from procrastination or lack of motivation, you’re not alone. We have some online learning tips to make your learning journey smoother and more enjoyable. One of the best things about being an adult is that we can do what we want: go to sleep late at night, party until morning, eat junk food. Besides all those small pleasures, as adults we are responsible for ourselves, our choices, and our mistakes.

51 Years of Relational Databases

LearnSQL.com Team

If it weren't for him, there would be no modern databases. It is the 51st anniversary of the publication of his article that changed the rules of the game. Edgar Frank Codd is one of the fathers of SQL, and his name is one of the first to be mentioned in the history of databases. Or maybe even the history of computer development in general? See what we owe to Dr.

A Non-Technical Introduction to Learning SQL on Your Lunch Break

Ignacio L. Bisso

Do you think learning SQL will help you in your career? You are right. SQL is one of the easiest computer languages to learn. These days many non-IT employees have SQL skills and use them to extend their professional capacity. Moreover, more and more companies are encouraging their employees in non-IT areas (like sales, advertising, and finances) to learn and use SQL. One of the benefits of empowering employees with SQL skills is that once you answer one data question, the results will generate a new data question, and then perhaps a cascade of further data questions.

SQL Mythbuster – 5 Reasons Why No One Should Be Afraid of SQL

Kamila Ostrowska

Anyone can learn SQL. It’s not as hard as you think! In today’s world, even those in non-technical jobs need some technical skills. And you don’t have to be a hard-core nerd to get these skills. Let me tell you my own story. A few years ago, I wasn’t considering learning SQL or anything else that I labelled “technical”. My background is in sociology, journalism, and scriptwriting, and I thought computer languages were pretty sci-fi.

How to Learn SQL: 6 Ideas for Newbies

Aldo Zelen

Learning a new skill can be a daunting task, especially in programming. SQL is not immune to this. Luckily, with the Internet and the explosion of programming-related information out there, there are a lot of options you can use to undergo your SQL training! But we then come to a new roadblock. Where to begin? How will we know which option is best for our budget, skill level, and schedule?

SQL INSERT, SQL UPDATE, SQL DELETE – Oh My!

The 5 Highest Paying Jobs That Use SQL

Marek Pankowski

IT provides a wide and growing job market, offering many excellent opportunities in both career development and earning potential. Today we’ll take a look at several very interesting types of database jobs that use SQL. Every year, many in the work force set their sights and aim for new and better jobs. When it comes to jobs, “better” means different things to different people, but earning potential is almost always a top priority.

SQL Mythbuster – 5 Reasons Why No One Should Be Afraid of SQL

Kamila Ostrowska

Anyone can learn SQL. It’s not as hard as you think! In today’s world, even those in non-technical jobs need some technical skills. And you don’t have to be a hard-core nerd to get these skills. Let me tell you my own story. A few years ago, I wasn’t considering learning SQL or anything else that I labelled “technical”. My background is in sociology, journalism, and scriptwriting, and I thought computer languages were pretty sci-fi.

5 Books That Will Grow Your SQL Skills

Aldo Zelen

Which books will help you build your database skills? We look at five awesome SQL books. There’s a common saying that “all wise men read books”. I would say that all professionals read books – particularly those related to their field. There are many books about databases and SQL; most are tied to specific vendors (DB2, Oracle, MS SQL) but there are also plenty that are vendor-neutral. In this article, I’m going to review a few books that I would recommend to SQL learners at various levels of proficiency.

Should I Learn SQL? 4 Convincing Reasons

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Magdalena Brych

There are 250+ computer programming languages in popular use. Why should you learn SQL, or Structured Query Language? Why Should You Learn SQL? Why learn SQL? To answer this question, you should start with reflecting on your professional life. Are you interested in boosting your career? Wondering what skills are worth investing in? If you’re currently in your dream job, still searching for it, or even thinking about starting your own business, it pays to develop your technical skills.

How to Join Tables in SQL Without Using JOINs

Tihomir Babic

Here’s how you can combine tables without the JOIN keyword. It seems like it shouldn’t be possible: join tables in SQL without using the JOIN keyword. But using the JOIN keyword is not the only way to join tables in SQL. This article will show you two additional methods for joining tables. Neither of them requires the JOIN keyword to work. They are: Using a comma between the table names in the FROM clause and specifying the joining condition in a WHERE Using UNION/UNION ALL.

Oracle Top-N Queries for Absolute Beginners

Aldo Zelen

It's common to run a query using only part of a dataset – for example, the top 100 salespeople in a company. In this article, we'll see how to use Oracle's Top-N query method to query just these rows. Top-N queries retrieve a defined number of rows (top or bottom) from a result set. In other words, they find the best or worst of something – the ten best selling cars in a certain region, the five most popular routers, the 20 worst-performing stores, etc.

What Is the Benefit of Foreign Keys in SQL?

Martyna Sławińska

What is a foreign key and why is it so important in relational databases? Learn all the details about foreign keys in this article. One of relational databases’ key features is the ability to link data stored in different tables. These links, called references, essentially act as connections between tables. They are created using the FOREIGN KEY constraint on table columns. In this article, we’ll learn what the FOREIGN KEY constraint does in SQL.

Referential Constraints and Foreign Keys in MySQL

Francisco Claria

Foreign keys and referential constraints allow you to set relationships between tables and modify some of the database engine’s actions. This beginner’s guide explains referential integrity and foreign key use in MySQL. One of the most important aspects of database usage is being able to trust the information you store. Database engines provide several features that help you maintain the quality of your data, like defining required columns as NOT NULL and setting an exact data type for each column.

Halloween Promo 2022

LearnSQL.com Team

Halloween is just around the corner and with it come monsters and ghosts. Join the fun and get a special, monstrous promo code. Are you scared, do you feel chills? This Halloween, we have prepared some fun for you. Have you ever wondered what kind of monster you would be? Answer a few questions and find out! Here's our SQL Monster Quiz - perhaps this will also give you a hint for a Halloween disguise!

Stay at Home and Learn SQL for Free with LearnSQL.com

LearnSQL.com Team

Working remotely is a dream come true for some. You ditch commuting and have more time for the people you love and the things you enjoy. For others, it's a challenge to maintain their focus when there are new distractions. It's also an opportunity to invest the few gained hours in learning something new. Staying at home can be a time when you might find yourself busier than you've ever been, but not getting many things done, and worse, not learning what you planned to.

Black Week 2022 - Free SQL Training For Companies

LearnSQL.com Team

Are you looking for the best SQL training for your employees? Now, with our Black Week special offer, they can learn for FREE at LearnSQL.com. Read on to find out more. Black Week 2022 is upon us, and we’re excited to bring some great offers to the table once again. This year, we’re particularly keen to involve our business users in the event, so we’ve put together a tailored proposal just for them.

Black Week 2022 - Free SQL Training For Educational Institutions

LearnSQL.com Team

Are you looking for the best SQL training for your students? Now, with our Black Week special offer, they can learn for FREE with LearnSQL.com. Read on to find out more. With the arrival of Black Week 2022, we’re taking a fresh look at how we can further support the educational institutions that use our SQL training solution. We want to expand our existing program with an exclusive offer for education which, we hope, will go some way to showing our appreciation for the entire sector.

5 SQL Functions for Manipulating Strings

Marek Pankowski

SQL functions used for manipulating strings, commonly called string functions, are among most important SQL’s tools. In this post, we’ll look at five ways you can perform various operations on strings. There are many SQL functions that let you “edit” string data. As you learn SQL, you’ll see how useful they prove. Some sql trim off unneeded spaces or characters; others tell you how long a string is. These functions give you a lot of opportunities to transform and work with strings, which makes your code more effective.

Can SQL Help Solve Crossword Puzzles?

Patrycja Dybka

Everyone has solved crossword puzzles and has certainly had some problems finding an appropriate word. Thanks to SQL, it is ridiculously simple to quickly dispel your crossword doubts and give you the correct answers. Of course, Google is commonly known as a universal cure for many doubts, but handling the problem yourself is much more rewarding. Recently I came across some simple and interesting examples from Andrew Cumming's book "

Useful SQL Patterns: Date Generator

Aldo Zelen

As you start coding in SQL, you will use some statements and techniques over and over again. We call these “SQL patterns”. This series will look at the most common SQL patterns and consider how to use them. SQL patterns, such as the pivot pattern we discussed last week, can save you a lot of time and effort. Suppose you are asked to get a range of days in a financial quarter, but the only records you have are for the start and end dates of each quarter.

How to Install Microsoft SQL Server 2019 and SQL Server Management Studio

Dorota Wdzięczna

Do you want to install SQL Server 2019 on your Windows PC? How about the latest version of SQL Server Management Studio? I’ll walk you through the process. Soon you’ll be writing T-SQL queries and operating on SQL Server databases! As I write this article, Microsoft SQL Server 2019 is the latest version of SQL Server. It’s the 15th version of one of the most popular database servers in the world.

Join us on Facebook–We Can Learn More Together

Jakub Romanowski

We are so happy that you have joined us to learn and develop your SQL skills! We want to invite you to a new Facebook group, We Learn SQL. It is a great place for anyone interested in meeting like-minded people who also want to learn about database-related concepts. Learning together is easier, don't you think? Joining this group is a great opportunity to begin sharing your learning experiences with others.

YouTube Tutorials That Actually Teach You Some SQL

Jakub Romanowski

YouTube is not just funny cats, music clips, and viral videos. It can also be a mine of knowledge – if you know where to look. Can YouTube tutorials really help you learn SQL? Let's say you're a marketer or an accountant. You work with databases every day. But when it’s time to write a query and get specific data, you need to call someone from IT. Why not learn to do it yourself?

Career Change: From Accountant to Database Designer

Tihomir Babic

How do career changes and life choices impact our future? Can we change the path that's been set for us? And if so, where do we begin? I wouldn't blame you if you thought this article is about change. In a sense, it is—it's in the title, after all. But for me, this article is more about what remains constant. If somebody were to ask me what hasn't changed for me since my childhood, I would know the answer immediately: curiosity.

Forget About Excel, High Five With SQL

Adrian Więch

Find out why you should forget about Excel and start using SQL even if you're not an IT expert. We'll show you how easy it is to learn SQL, how it can make you work better, and how LearnSQL.com makes the learning process fun. "I Don't Deal With Data" We frequently hear the sentence above from people outside the IT industry. Well, it's not entirely true. Data is now almost everywhere.

A Non-Technical Introduction to Learning SQL on Your Lunch Break

Ignacio L. Bisso

Do you think learning SQL will help you in your career? You are right. SQL is one of the easiest computer languages to learn. These days many non-IT employees have SQL skills and use them to extend their professional capacity. Moreover, more and more companies are encouraging their employees in non-IT areas (like sales, advertising, and finances) to learn and use SQL. One of the benefits of empowering employees with SQL skills is that once you answer one data question, the results will generate a new data question, and then perhaps a cascade of further data questions.

How to Install PostgreSQL on Windows 10 in 5 Minutes

Ignacio L. Bisso

It may look like a complicated task to install PostgreSQL, Oracle, or SQL Server or any other database software, but it really isn’t! These days, most relational database management systems come with installation wizards that make the process much simpler. In this article, we’ll look at how to install PostgreSQL and test that the installation is working. Install PostgreSQL: Steps Involved To install PostgreSQL, we’ll complete the following tasks:

How SQL supports data-driven organization

Aldo Zelen

Typical business users make decisions based on gut feelings, but this can't get them so far. In this article, we'll look at how learning to write basic SQL queries helps your company become a data-driven organization. Businesses face many decisions. Do we increase our advertising budget in one region or the other? Are certain products selling quickly enough? What we should do if they aren't? Most of these decisions are driven by intuition, but organizations that make the most business impact use data-driven decision-making.

Microsoft SQL Server 2017 Installation Step by Step

Dorota Wdzięczna

Microsoft SQL Server is one of the most popular professional database servers on the market. In this guide, I’ll show you all SQL Server 2017 installation steps to help you install it on the Windows operating system together with SQL Management Studio. If you want to learn T-SQL, the dialect of SQL used in SQL Server, check out our SQL from A to Z in MS SQL Server track.

How to Begin Running SQL Queries

Ignacio L. Bisso

In this article, I’ll explain how to run a SQL query to help you execute your first one. Let’s jump right in! Running SQL queries for the first time is not a complex task, but it can seem intimidating at first if you’re a complete beginner. But once you get past that initial roadblock, you’ll be able to focus on learning SQL and writing more interesting queries to meet your business needs.

How to Use a SQL Wildcard

Aldo Zelen

SQL wildcard allows us to filter data matching certain patterns in SQL. We use SQL wildcards with the LIKE operator in the WHERE clause of a query to filter data. In this beginner’s article, we’ll look at everything you need to know about basic SQL wildcards. If you like playing cards, then you know that wildcards can substitute any other card in your deck. Similarly, SQL wildcards can substitute one or more characters.

Our Picks for 2020’s 7 Best Online SQL Schools

Dorota Wdzięczna

If you’re looking for the best online SQL courses but aren’t sure where to start, you’re in the right place. I evaluated the top 7 ranked SQL schools available online to help you find the right solution. While summer is a great time to relax and get away from work, it’s also an excellent opportunity to learn new skills – like SQL! Thanks to SQL schools putting their courses on the internet, learning new tech skills is super easy and you can choose from a variety of formats to suit your needs.

Why Learn SQL Over the Summer

Kate Stolarek

Think summer is reserved for flying to warm places and hanging out at the beach? Sure! But it's also a great time to learn new skills that you haven't had time for. If you recently graduated from high school and want to get a head start on computer programming for college, learning SQL over the summer is a great opportunity. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain—SQL is actually really easy to learn, especially with so much free time over the summer.

Here’s Why You Should Learn SQL

Kate Stolarek

Why learn SQL? We asked our users about it. This is what we’ve learned. At LearnSQL.com, we help people with no computer science background to understand the core concepts of databases and data science. For example, we teach users how to extract the most important data from a database to build simple reports and how to understand key statistical metrics in data analysis. We love to provide easy-to-understand examples that thoroughly depict complex technical concepts.

How to Start Thinking in SQL

Jeffrey Edison

Thinking in SQL will help you understand what SQL queries do, how to create and change them, and how to create reports from the data you obtain. If you want to know how to write better SQL queries, you have to change the way you think about the code. One of the greatest skills you can have in SQL programming is the ability to change an existing SQL query so you get the results you need.

Introduction to Reporting with SQL — the Ultimate Tutorial for Business Professionals

Aldo Zelen

Working with the financial aspects of large and small enterprises can be a daunting task for a business professional. In this article, we'll look at several ways of constructing the perfect SQL report. You've probably already heard about SQL from your colleagues or in other areas of your career. If you're here, you've likely concluded that learning SQL will make your professional life easier – and you're right!

5 Great Benefits of Learning SQL

Alex Briggs

If you want your business to succeed in 2017, it’s absolutely critical that you understand your data; this is why you should get acquainted with SQL ASAP. But there are other reasons to learn it that may not be obvious. In this article, I’ll show you 5 huge benefits of learning SQL! Don’t fall for the common trap—analyzing data isn’t just a concern for those competing at national or corporate levels.

Why Is SQL Worth Learning?

Dorota Wdzięczna

Nowadays, data is gathered from a variety of sources, and information is of great value to organizations. However, with an increasing amount of data comes the need for databases that can store information for retrieval and analysis by trained specialists. That’s where Structured Query Language comes in. Is SQL worth learning? In this article, I’ll explain why it definitely is. Relational databases, which logically group information into chunks, are basically used to store and organize large amounts of data.

SQL Mythbuster – 5 Reasons Why No One Should Be Afraid of SQL

Kamila Ostrowska

Anyone can learn SQL. It’s not as hard as you think! In today’s world, even those in non-technical jobs need some technical skills. And you don’t have to be a hard-core nerd to get these skills. Let me tell you my own story. A few years ago, I wasn’t considering learning SQL or anything else that I labelled “technical”. My background is in sociology, journalism, and scriptwriting, and I thought computer languages were pretty sci-fi.

5 Books That Will Grow Your SQL Skills

Aldo Zelen

Which books will help you build your database skills? We look at five awesome SQL books. There’s a common saying that “all wise men read books”. I would say that all professionals read books – particularly those related to their field. There are many books about databases and SQL; most are tied to specific vendors (DB2, Oracle, MS SQL) but there are also plenty that are vendor-neutral. In this article, I’m going to review a few books that I would recommend to SQL learners at various levels of proficiency.

The Complete Beginner’s Guide to SQL Fundamentals

LearnSQL.com Team

LearnSQL.com is a great place to learn SQL. If you’re a complete beginner, it’s best to have an overview of what SQL is, what a database is, and how they work together. In this article, you’ll find a complete guide to SQL fundamentals. SQL Fundamentals: Database Let’s begin our guide to SQL with basic definitions. You might have already heard that SQL is used with databases. What exactly is a database?

How to Learn SQL: 6 Ideas for Newbies

Aldo Zelen

Learning a new skill can be a daunting task, especially in programming. SQL is not immune to this. Luckily, with the Internet and the explosion of programming-related information out there, there are a lot of options you can use to undergo your SQL training! But we then come to a new roadblock. Where to begin? How will we know which option is best for our budget, skill level, and schedule?

SQL Indexing 101

Aldo Zelen

Indexes are one of the most misused and misunderstood entities in physical database design. A good understanding of indexes and how they solve database performance problems is necessary for any database novice. In this article, we'll look at basic database indexes and their role in database development. To picture what an index is, consider a textbook. At the end of most textbooks is an index listing all the terms one can find in the text and the pages on which they appear.

How to Group by Multiple Columns in SQL

Gustavo du Mortier

When analyzing large data sets, you often create groupings and apply aggregate functions to find totals or averages. In these cases, using the GROUP BY clause with multiple columns unfolds its full potential. GROUP BY is a clause of the SELECT command. It allows you to compute various statistics for a group of rows. For example, you can use GROUP BY with an employee table to know how many employees are of each gender.

How to Use WHERE with GROUP BY in SQL

Nicole Darnley

In this article, we’ll discuss how to combine the WHERE and GROUP BY clauses in SQL If you’re writing SQL on a daily basis, you will quickly realize how often both WHERE and GROUP BY clauses are used. WHERE is an essential part of most queries. It allows you to filter large datasets to only the pieces you are interested in. GROUP BY is one of the most powerful tools an analyst has when aggregating data.

How to Use GROUP BY in SQL

sql
GROUP BY

Emil Drkušić

Window functions are a great addition to SQL, and they can make your life much easier if you know how to use them properly. Today, we will address the differences between a GROUP BY and a PARTITION BY. We’ll start with the very basics and slowly get you to a point where you can keep researching on your own. PARTITION BY vs. GROUP BY The PARTITION BY and the GROUP BY clauses are used frequently in SQL when you need to create a complex report.

Difference between GROUP BY and ORDER BY in Simple Words

Shanika Wickramasinghe

For someone who is learning SQL, one of the most common places to get stuck is when learning the GROUP BY command. GROUP BY and ORDER BY are two important keywords in SQL that we use to organize data. The difference between GROUP BY and ORDER BY is that ORDER BY is more simple than GROUP BY and is usually introduced early in an SQL course. Sometimes, people are quite confused over these two concepts (SQL ORDER BY vs.

SQL Hacks To Control Family Budget On Black Friday Weekend

Dorota Wdzięczna

If you’re in the US, chances are you’ve been eagerly awaiting the approach of Black Friday just as much as Thanksgiving. Though the shopping frenzy takes hold of nearly everyone, some people have to stick to their budgets and shop prudently. In this article, we’ll take a look at how generating an SQL report can help you track how much your family spent shopping on Black Friday. Storing Black Friday Purchases in a Database Before we can create an SQL report, we first need some data we can use.

A Beginner’s Guide to SQL Aggregate Functions

Francisco Claria

Aggregate functions are powerful SQL tools that compute numerical calculations on data, allowing the query to return summarized information about a given column or result set. These functions can be used in conjunction with the GROUP BY statement. Let’s see how they work using some easy examples. SQL Aggregate Functions Suppose we have users residing in a city, and we store their information in two tables. These tables and their relationship are shown below:

Getting the Hang of the GROUP BY Clause

Marian Dziubiak

GROUP BY is an important part of the SQL SELECT statement. But new SQL coders can run into some problems when this clause is used incorrectly. Here’s how to avoid those issues. You’re learning SQL. You know how to SELECT some data FROM a table and how to filter the data with a WHERE clause. You can process the data using aggregate functions (MIN, MAX, SUM, AVG, and others). But when you’re dealing with a lot of data, you may need to narrow it down even more.

GROUP BY Clause: How Well Do You Know It?

group by

Agnieszka Kozubek-Krycuń

The database can do different kinds of computations: it can add and subtract, multiply and divide, it can do computations on dates, it can count rows and sum row values, and so on. It can also do quite sophisticated statistics. The GROUP BY clause is the most basic way to compute statistics in SQL. It can be quite tough for beginners but it is really powerful. Let's look at the details of the GROUP BY clause, starting with the basics.

How to Install a MySQL Database on a Windows PC

Dorota Wdzięczna

Do you want to install a MySQL database on your Windows computer? And maybe find out how to start using a MySQL database? In this article, we’ll cover the installation process. MySQL is one of the most popular relational database servers. This is one reason to start using a MySQL database. Among the various editions of MySQL delivered by Oracle, the Community edition is available for free. You can download it from the MySQL website.

2021’s Most Popular Databases

Marcin Koryszewski

What was the most popular database in 2021? And what do you need to know to use it? If you’re learning SQL, you’re in luck. This year’s most popular database uses SQL. But the list doesn’t end there. Read our article and find out the 5 most popular databases this year. My list was based on the latest research of one of the most important platforms in the IT world: Stack Overflow.

SQL Terms Beginners Should Know - Part 4

Kamila Ostrowska

Here it is – another batch of must-know SQL terms. In the first two parts, we covered tables, relational databases, queries, aliases, SQL JOINs, primary keys, and subqueries. Last time, we moved to more advanced terms like INSERT INTO, GROUP BY, and HAVING. Are you ready to dive deeper into SQL terminology? This is the fourth installment of our series on basic SQL terms for beginners (and everyone else). Don’t worry if you missed the previous articles; you can find Part 1 (essential SQL terms), Part 2, and Part 3 in our blog.

SQL Terms Beginners Should Know - Part 3

Jakub Romanowski

This is the third part of my list of essential SQL terms for beginners. In the first, you learned what tables, relational databases, and queries are. In the second part of the tutorial, I told you about aliases, SQL JOINs, primary keys, and subqueries. Now, it's time for more advanced database terms. But don't be afraid! I won’t crush you with scientific definitions. I will explain everything simply so that you can easily understand.

SQL Terms Beginners Should Know – Part 2

Jakub Romanowski

This is the second part of my list of essential SQL terms for beginners. In the first, you learned what a table, relational database, and query are. Now, it's time for more advanced database terms. But don't be afraid! I won’t crush you with scientific definitions. I will explain everything simply so that you can easily understand. If you want to review the basic SQL terms, see my previous article, SQL Terms Beginners Should Know.

SQL Terms Beginners Should Know

Jakub Romanowski

Have you started learning SQL? Do you feel a little lost in the maze of new words and ideas? Here’s a list of 10 absolutely essential SQL terms for beginners. When you start learning SQL, there’s a lot to process. And some of it – even basic SQL terms – gets lost in the shuffle. If this sounds like you, bookmark this article; it will be a handy reference.

Five Essential Features of a Good SQL Course: What to Look for When Choosing a Course for You

Agnieszka Kozubek-Krycuń

There are many different platforms offering SQL courses. If you’re a beginner, it may be difficult to choose the right one for you. Find out what we think are the essential features of a good SQL course. Remember, if you make a poor choice at the beginning, you may get discouraged or get into bad habits that will impact your work down the line. What Is SQL? SQL, or Structured Query Language, is a programming language you use to talk to databases.

The Most Popular Databases in 2020

Jakub Romanowski

Which database solution is currently most popular? Which SQL dialect should you study? In this article, I’ll share the results of my research and my personal experience. Here are the databases that are worth learning SQL to use. First, let's answer some simple questions: Is SQL still useful? Is it worth learning? If you complete an online SQL course, will it make your work easier? The answer is YES! Why?

Top 10 Laptops for Learning SQL in 2020

Jakub Romanowski

If you want to learn SQL, you’re going to need a device that’s portable and powerful. I recommend a laptop. Here are the features you’ll need, as well as my picks for laptops to get you learning SQL in 2020! I must admit that browsing Amazon’s computer offers or entering any computer store can give you a headache. So many models, with so many options! They differ in components, workmanship, battery life, and screen size and resolution.

What Is a SQL Dialect, and Which one Should You Learn?

Agnieszka Kozubek-Krycuń

SQL, standard SQL, SQL Server, MySQL, PostgreSQL, Oracle, … You’d like to learn SQL, but you feel overwhelmed with keywords and you don’t know where to start. Let’s explain what each of those terms mean. SQL Is the Language for Talking to Databases A database is a computer program that can store and process large amounts of data. There are many different vendors of databases. PostgreSQL, MySQL, Oracle, and SQL Server are all database products by different vendors.

How to Publish a LearnSQL.com Course Certificate on LinkedIn

Jakub Romanowski

LinkedIn draws both job seekers and recruiters. Showcasing your knowledge, skills, and experience on this professional networking site can lead to great opportunities. We know this well at LearnSQL.com. Have you finished one of our courses? Great! Tell your future employer about what you have learned. Here's a step-by-step how-to guide for publishing a course certificate on LinkedIn. I will show you how easy it is to publish a LearnSQL.

Last-Minute Preparation Tips for a Database Class Exam

Adrian Więch

Getting to learn SQL is fun. You don’t really need to spend much time to understand some basic SQL concepts and use them fluently. If you’re a student facing your first database class exam soon, we’ve got you covered. In this article, we explain what you should focus on while learning SQL and studying for an entry-level database exam. Check your knowledge with our 10 sample questions and discover where you can find more SQL practice.

Top 5 Programming Languages to Learn Alongside SQL

Rebecca McKeown

If you already know or are about to learn SQL, you’re well on your way to being a sought-after database administrator, database engineer, or just a general database whizz kid! SQL is a modern, widely-used language that finds application in almost every industry. There is no shortage of jobs with SQL. But what if you want to branch out and learn another language to complement your SQL knowledge and skills?

Advanced SQL Courses for Data Analysts – A Complete Review

Dorota Wdzięczna

Even data analysts who already know SQL need to keep their skills sharp. Where can you find the best advanced SQL courses for data analysts? Check out our review of the top online sources! In this article, I present a list of online SQL courses for data analysts. These courses are offered by various platforms. Why wait? Let’s jump right in! 8 Advanced SQL Courses for Data Analysts Let's take a closer look at these courses to decide which platform will be better for you in learning SQL.

What SQL Practice Do You Need to Prepare for a Technical Job Interview?

Rebecca McKeown

You’ve scored yourself an interview for an SQL-related job. Nice work! But perhaps uncertainty is creeping in as your interview date looms closer. Do you know enough SQL to make the cut? What questions are you likely to be asked? What SQL practice should you be doing before your interview? Almost all SQL job candidates go through exactly the same nerve-wracking process. Here at LearnSQL.com, we have the lowdown on all the SQL practice and preparation you’ll need to ace those interview questions and take your career to the next level.

Is SQL Worth Learning?

Kate Stolarek

We’re in the 21st century. These are the “ultimate data times” in which loads of information on all kinds of things is available. We want to explore this info even more, slice and dice it, understand where it comes from and what triggers it. With such large amounts of data coming in, people have discovered that spreadsheets aren’t enough. There’s a need for a greater solution, something like a spreadsheet on steroids.

Top 3 Platforms to Learn SQL Online: A Complete Comparison

Arleta Więch

Do you want to learn SQL online? Where do you start? There are many choices on the internet, and it can be hard to decide. But don’t worry—I tested and compared three major platforms to help you find the best place to learn SQL online! E-learning is on the rise. It gives us infinite possibilities of growing our professional careers without leaving our homes. And increasing our competencies is especially important now that the labor market has become dynamic and unstable.

Choose the Best Way to Learn SQL

Arleta Więch

SQL has become a hot topic in the professional world, and many resources have appeared both online and offline for learning SQL. It’s easy to get lost in the jungle of books, tutorials, and courses. Which resources do you choose? If you want to know how to learn SQL quickly and effectively, take a look at my list. There are many reasons for learning SQL. We asked our users about them and learned that there was no universal motive.

50 Best Resources for Learning SQL

Rebecca McKeown

Do you want to know where to learn SQL? We’ve got you covered with the ultimate list of 50 resources for learning SQL, including the best SQL courses, tutorials, books, and much, much more! Learning SQL can be hard enough without wading through thousands of websites and articles. So, we thought we’d do you a solid and put the top SQL resources here in this handy slice of the internet.

How to Stay Healthy When Learning SQL

Jakub Romanowski

So, maybe you’re learning SQL. Congratulations! Or maybe you already work as a data analyst, DBA, or data scientist. That’s great too! Either way, you are most likely spending hours in front of a computer. I will give you tips on how to avoid bad habits and take care of your health while learning and/or working with SQL. Have you ever wondered how sitting in front of a computer affects your health?

What Programming Language Should You Learn?

Magdalena Wojtas

If you've ever been wondering which programming language you should learn first, you know that's a tough nut to crack. It’s especially difficult if you are new to IT and programming. In this article, I give suggestions for what to learn first and what perspectives each language can give you in IT. There are hundreds of programming languages, and new ones are showing up all the time. Getting to know all of them is simply impractical and impossible.

How to Study Online: 5 Steps to Becoming an Effective Learner

Kamila Ostrowska

If you suffer from procrastination or lack of motivation, you’re not alone. We have some online learning tips to make your learning journey smoother and more enjoyable. One of the best things about being an adult is that we can do what we want: go to sleep late at night, party until morning, eat junk food. Besides all those small pleasures, as adults we are responsible for ourselves, our choices, and our mistakes.

How to Install PostgreSQL on Windows 10 in 5 Minutes

Ignacio L. Bisso

It may look like a complicated task to install PostgreSQL, Oracle, or SQL Server or any other database software, but it really isn’t! These days, most relational database management systems come with installation wizards that make the process much simpler. In this article, we’ll look at how to install PostgreSQL and test that the installation is working. Install PostgreSQL: Steps Involved To install PostgreSQL, we’ll complete the following tasks:

Halloween Promo 2022

LearnSQL.com Team

Halloween is just around the corner and with it come monsters and ghosts. Join the fun and get a special, monstrous promo code. Are you scared, do you feel chills? This Halloween, we have prepared some fun for you. Have you ever wondered what kind of monster you would be? Answer a few questions and find out! Here's our SQL Monster Quiz - perhaps this will also give you a hint for a Halloween disguise!

What Is the SQL HAVING Clause?

András Novoszáth

Are you learning SQL? Are you wondering what you can use the HAVING clause for? Or, perhaps, have you tried to use WHERE on your GROUP BY aggregates? You are in the right place! In this article, we explain how to use HAVING with plenty of examples. Have you tried to filter your metrics you created with GROUP BY with a WHERE clause and found out that it did not work?

SQL HAVING Tutorial

Zahin Rahman

Learn how to use the SQL HAVING clause to filter groups using your own specified conditions. The SQL HAVING clause is often a challenging concept to grasp, especially for beginners. Additionally, its specific use cases can be difficult to visualize without specific examples based on real-world datasets. In this tutorial, you will learn how to apply the SQL HAVING clause to filter groups of records based on specified conditions. You’ll see examples where we apply this concept to solving business problems on a realistic dataset.

HAVING vs. WHERE in SQL: What You Should Know

Ignacio L. Bisso

This article is about SQL’s WHERE and HAVING clauses. Both clauses are part of the foundations of the SQL SELECT command. They have similar uses, but there are also important differences that every person who uses SQL should know. Let’s see what’s behind the HAVING vs. WHERE debate. In this article, we’ll suppose we work for a government social agency supporting people or families whose income is below a certain threshold.

How to Stay Healthy When Learning SQL

Jakub Romanowski

So, maybe you’re learning SQL. Congratulations! Or maybe you already work as a data analyst, DBA, or data scientist. That’s great too! Either way, you are most likely spending hours in front of a computer. I will give you tips on how to avoid bad habits and take care of your health while learning and/or working with SQL. Have you ever wondered how sitting in front of a computer affects your health?

Hierarchical Data and How to Query It in SQL

Tihomir Babic

How do you recognize hierarchical data, and how do you query it? Two common SQL questions are about to be answered. Querying hierarchical data is a rather common situation if you’re working with SQL and relational databases. Not that hierarchical data is something mystical and rare; on the contrary, it’s everywhere. So why is hierarchical data so challenging when it comes to relational databases? Mainly, the difficulties occur in translating hierarchical data to relational database principles.

Practical Ways to Improve the Performance of SQL Queries

LearnSQL.com Team

Knowing how to improve SQL query performance is an important skill, especially when working with with large databases. In this article, you'll learn how to write more efficient SQL queries to get results faster. The biggest difference between SQL and other languages is that SQL is a non-procedural language. In a non-procedural language you specify the results that you need but not the methods used to get it. The advantage of a non-procedural language is that it is easier to write programs, therefore it is common for non-programmer business users to generate reports from SQL queries.

SQL Filtering 101

Aldo Zelen

Sometimes, SQL queries return lots of data you don't need. In this article, we'll look at a simple example of filtering SQL queries to reduce the complexity of your data. The key to learning how to filter data in SQL is understanding the very basics of Boolean algebra. That's just a fancy term mathematicians use to describe expressions involving logical values (true/false) and their associated operators (and, or, not, etc.

Improving Query Readability with Common Table Expressions

Marian Dziubiak

What is a Common Table Expression, or CTE? Where do you use them, and why? This post answers your questions. Simply put, Common Table Expressions (also known as WITH clauses) are essentially named subqueries. They also provide additional features like recursion. If you're new to subqueries, I recommend you read the SQL Subqueries article before continuing. The main purpose of Common Table Expressions is to improve the design and readability of an SQL statement.

SQL Development? Structured Query Language and Apps

Marian Dziubiak

You know about using SQL with databases. How does SQL fit in with app development? Is there anything like SQL development? In this post, we look at the app development process, how it intersects with modeling a database, and what developers can do with SQL outside of their app. Obviously, the beginning of this process is defining your app — what it does, who it is for, how it will function and look, etc.

Performing Calculations on Date- and Time-Related Values

Maria Alcaraz

Relational databases support several date and time data types. In this article, we'll look at several arithmetic operations we can do on these types. These operations are logical and understandable, even for the beginning SQL coder. Let's first briefly explain the main data types used for dates and times. Keep in mind that data types may differ by database engine, so check your database documentation for specifics before you start working with them.

Getting the Hang of the GROUP BY Clause

Marian Dziubiak

GROUP BY is an important part of the SQL SELECT statement. But new SQL coders can run into some problems when this clause is used incorrectly. Here’s how to avoid those issues. You’re learning SQL. You know how to SELECT some data FROM a table and how to filter the data with a WHERE clause. You can process the data using aggregate functions (MIN, MAX, SUM, AVG, and others). But when you’re dealing with a lot of data, you may need to narrow it down even more.

Refine Results with SQL Set Operators

Aldo Zelen

Using UNION, UNION ALL, EXCEPT, and INTERSECT to manage SQL query results. The function of SQL set operators is pretty simple; they allow us to combine results from different SQL queries into one result set. The best way to understand how set operators work is to use visual methods like the Venn diagram. For those of you not familiar with Venn diagrams, they are two circles that represent items or collections of items.

6 Common SQL Syntax Mistakes All Learners Make

Adrian Dembek

We all make mistakes when learning a new language – especially at the beginning. New words, complicated grammar... Everyone needs time to master a language. But when we get immediate feedback, we can progress more quickly. The same goes for learning SQL. In this article, we'll look at 6 common SQL syntax mistakes most SQL learners make. Mastering SQL Queries Interactive SQL courses are one way to get immediate feedback on your queries.

8 Tips Absolute Beginners Can Use to Fix SQL Queries

The 5 Highest Paying Jobs That Use SQL

Marek Pankowski

IT provides a wide and growing job market, offering many excellent opportunities in both career development and earning potential. Today we’ll take a look at several very interesting types of database jobs that use SQL. Every year, many in the work force set their sights and aim for new and better jobs. When it comes to jobs, “better” means different things to different people, but earning potential is almost always a top priority.

Four Reasons You Must Learn SQL in Data Science

Jenny Hung

Is SQL important for data science? It certainly is! This language can help you build a foundation for your analytical career. Let’s see how you use SQL in data science. Data science is hot right now. What if you could predict the next market crash? Or contain the spread of Ebola? Or accurately predict a health crisis months or even years before it happens? Data scientists are working hard on these kinds of projects, and they are earning healthy salaries in the process.

SQL Mythbuster – 5 Reasons Why No One Should Be Afraid of SQL

Kamila Ostrowska

Anyone can learn SQL. It’s not as hard as you think! In today’s world, even those in non-technical jobs need some technical skills. And you don’t have to be a hard-core nerd to get these skills. Let me tell you my own story. A few years ago, I wasn’t considering learning SQL or anything else that I labelled “technical”. My background is in sociology, journalism, and scriptwriting, and I thought computer languages were pretty sci-fi.

Introducing SQL Set Operators: Union, Union All, Minus, and Intersect

Marek Pankowski

Ever heard terms such as union and intersection in SQL? They're examples of set operators, and they come in handy when you need to combine information from multiple tables or queries. In this article, we'll take a closer look at them. SQL queries let us choose the most important bits from large amounts of information. Of course, we can't expect that all necessary data will be stored in one table.

Improving Query Readability with Common Table Expressions

Marian Dziubiak

What is a Common Table Expression, or CTE? Where do you use them, and why? This post answers your questions. Simply put, Common Table Expressions (also known as WITH clauses) are essentially named subqueries. They also provide additional features like recursion. If you're new to subqueries, I recommend you read the SQL Subqueries article before continuing. The main purpose of Common Table Expressions is to improve the design and readability of an SQL statement.

Complete SQL Practice for Interviews

Marek Pankowski

Congratulations! Your SQL skills were strong enough to get you that job interview! Now, if you only knew what SQL questions and practical exercises a recruiter might ask you to do… This article is meant as a SQL practice for interviews. I’ll help you prepare for the SQL and database aspects of your job interview. In a previous article, I explained how can you boost your career by learning SQL.

SQL Development? Structured Query Language and Apps

Marian Dziubiak

You know about using SQL with databases. How does SQL fit in with app development? Is there anything like SQL development? In this post, we look at the app development process, how it intersects with modeling a database, and what developers can do with SQL outside of their app. Obviously, the beginning of this process is defining your app — what it does, who it is for, how it will function and look, etc.

The Complete Beginner’s Guide to SQL Fundamentals

LearnSQL.com Team

LearnSQL.com is a great place to learn SQL. If you’re a complete beginner, it’s best to have an overview of what SQL is, what a database is, and how they work together. In this article, you’ll find a complete guide to SQL fundamentals. SQL Fundamentals: Database Let’s begin our guide to SQL with basic definitions. You might have already heard that SQL is used with databases. What exactly is a database?

Performing Calculations on Date- and Time-Related Values

Maria Alcaraz

Relational databases support several date and time data types. In this article, we'll look at several arithmetic operations we can do on these types. These operations are logical and understandable, even for the beginning SQL coder. Let's first briefly explain the main data types used for dates and times. Keep in mind that data types may differ by database engine, so check your database documentation for specifics before you start working with them.

Getting the Hang of the GROUP BY Clause

Marian Dziubiak

GROUP BY is an important part of the SQL SELECT statement. But new SQL coders can run into some problems when this clause is used incorrectly. Here’s how to avoid those issues. You’re learning SQL. You know how to SELECT some data FROM a table and how to filter the data with a WHERE clause. You can process the data using aggregate functions (MIN, MAX, SUM, AVG, and others). But when you’re dealing with a lot of data, you may need to narrow it down even more.

Refine Results with SQL Set Operators

Aldo Zelen

Using UNION, UNION ALL, EXCEPT, and INTERSECT to manage SQL query results. The function of SQL set operators is pretty simple; they allow us to combine results from different SQL queries into one result set. The best way to understand how set operators work is to use visual methods like the Venn diagram. For those of you not familiar with Venn diagrams, they are two circles that represent items or collections of items.

6 Common SQL Syntax Mistakes All Learners Make

Adrian Dembek

We all make mistakes when learning a new language – especially at the beginning. New words, complicated grammar... Everyone needs time to master a language. But when we get immediate feedback, we can progress more quickly. The same goes for learning SQL. In this article, we'll look at 6 common SQL syntax mistakes most SQL learners make. Mastering SQL Queries Interactive SQL courses are one way to get immediate feedback on your queries.

8 Tips Absolute Beginners Can Use to Fix SQL Queries

Marcos Pierri

Code errors are common – and frustrating. And when you're just learning SQL, it can be very challenging to find and fix your mistakes. In this post, we'll show you eight ways to solve or eliminate common SQL coding errors. Today, we'll talk about some tips the SQL beginner can use to avoid several common errors. These tips work in any database environment. As we go along, we'll be showing some error messages.

How to Learn SQL: 6 Ideas for Newbies

Aldo Zelen

Learning a new skill can be a daunting task, especially in programming. SQL is not immune to this. Luckily, with the Internet and the explosion of programming-related information out there, there are a lot of options you can use to undergo your SQL training! But we then come to a new roadblock. Where to begin? How will we know which option is best for our budget, skill level, and schedule?

Five Common SQL Syntax Errors

Aldo Zelen

As you learn SQL, watch out for these common coding mistakes You’ve written some SQL code and you’re ready to query your database. You input the code and …. no data is returned. Instead, you get an error message. Don’t despair! Coding mistakes are common in any programming language, and SQL is no exception. In this post, we’ll discuss five common SQL syntax errors people make when writing code.

SQL Errors: Five Common SQL Mistakes

Aldo Zelen

As you learn SQL, watch out for these common coding mistakes You’ve written some SQL code and you’re ready to query your database. You input the code and …. no data is returned. Instead, you get an error message. Don’t despair! Coding errors are common in any programming language, and SQL is no exception. In this article, we’ll discuss five common mistakes people make when writing SQL. The best way to prevent mistakes in SQL is practice.

Best SQL IDEs for You

Kamila Ostrowska

Maybe you just started learning SQL. Maybe you already have some experience. Whatever your situation is, choosing the right IDE for you is another step in your development. Why IDE? IDE stands for integrated development environment. It is a software application that enables us to combine various aspects of writing a computer program. An IDE usually contains a source code editor, build automation tools, and a debugger. You might ask why you need an IDE when you have the command line available on your computer.

What Is the INSERT Statement in SQL?

Andrew Bone

The INSERT statement in SQL is used to add new data to your database. This article will explain how to use it and show you practical examples along the way. When you learn SQL, you focus on getting data out of a database, working mostly with SELECT. In SQL, there are also statements that let you modify data in a database. The first one is the INSERT statement: it adds data to a table.

Learn SQL Views in 30 Minutes

Ignacio L. Bisso

Views aren't complicated – if you've got half an hour, we'll get you started writing SQL queries using views! Let's start by answering the question "What is a view in SQL?'. A view is a database object (as is a table, an index, or a stored procedure). Like a table, you can query a view and extract the information in it. It can be used in the FROM clause of a SELECT, and you can reference view columns in clauses like SELECT, WHERE and GROUP BY among other clauses as well.

Using CASE with Data Modifying Statements

Dorota Wdzięczna

What happens when you combine CASE with SQL's data modifying statements? Find out in this article. The CASE expression is a very useful part of SQL and one that you'll employ frequently. We've already covered what the CASE expression does, how to format it, and how to use it in a SELECT statement in "Using CASE to Add Logic to a SELECT". Another article, "How to Sort Records with the ORDER BY Clause"

How to Install Microsoft SQL Server 2019 and SQL Server Management Studio

Dorota Wdzięczna

Do you want to install SQL Server 2019 on your Windows PC? How about the latest version of SQL Server Management Studio? I’ll walk you through the process. Soon you’ll be writing T-SQL queries and operating on SQL Server databases! As I write this article, Microsoft SQL Server 2019 is the latest version of SQL Server. It’s the 15th version of one of the most popular database servers in the world.

Microsoft SQL Server 2017 Installation Step by Step

Dorota Wdzięczna

Microsoft SQL Server is one of the most popular professional database servers on the market. In this guide, I’ll show you all SQL Server 2017 installation steps to help you install it on the Windows operating system together with SQL Management Studio. If you want to learn T-SQL, the dialect of SQL used in SQL Server, check out our SQL from A to Z in MS SQL Server track.

How to Begin Running SQL Queries

Ignacio L. Bisso

In this article, I’ll explain how to run a SQL query to help you execute your first one. Let’s jump right in! Running SQL queries for the first time is not a complex task, but it can seem intimidating at first if you’re a complete beginner. But once you get past that initial roadblock, you’ll be able to focus on learning SQL and writing more interesting queries to meet your business needs.

What Do the SQL INTERSECT and MINUS Clauses Do?

Andrew Bone

Do you know the difference between SQL’s INTERSECT and MINUS clauses and how to use them? You will find examples and explanations in this article. SQL INTERSECT and MINUS are useful clauses for quickly finding the difference between two tables and finding the rows they share. INTERSECT compares the data between tables and returns only the rows of data that exist in both tables. MINUS compares the data between tables and returns the rows of data that exist only in the first table you specify.

This Advanced SQL Course Will Boost Your Career!

Maria Durkin

Can you already create pretty good SQL reports? Do you want to take it a step further? In this article, I'll explain how an advanced SQL course can propel you (and your career) to the next level. Since you are looking for information about SQL, you probably already know how important data is nowadays. Very few companies can stay on the market without using the power of data or basing their strategic decisions on it.

SQL for the Business Analyst

Maria Durkin

How can SQL benefit business analysts? In this article, we’ll discuss why SQL is a fundamental skill in this role. You’ll also learn what a business analyst does and what they need to advance their career. According to BrainStation, the already high demand for business analysts is set to grow even more. One of the driving forces behind the rising demand is the digital revolution, which has been accelerated by the recent pandemic.

Database Jobs to Choose in 2023

Alexandre Bruffa

In this article, we will explore some of the top database jobs to choose from in 2023. So you want to land yourself a database job in 2023. It’s a great choice, and there are lots of options. Let’s talk about the most popular data-related jobs and what you need to do to get one. SQL Is Essential for a Database Job It’s important to mention that most of the popular databases nowadays are relational – i.

Want to Get a Data Engineering Job? Learn SQL!

Maria Durkin

So, you want to be a data engineer, but you don't know how to get there. In this article, we’ll help you understand the skills you'll need for different types of data engineering jobs. You’ll also find some data confirming that data engineer jobs are a good career choice. Data engineering and various types of data engineer jobs have become very popular in recent years. And for good reason: Next to data science, data engineering is one of the fastest-growing branches of IT.

Here's Why You Need Analytical Skills to Get Promoted at Work

András Novoszáth

Do you wonder if analytical skills might benefit you in your job? Are ‘analytical skills’ the same as data analytics? Is SQL a useful analytical skill? Read the article to answer these questions. Analytical skills allow you to better understand problems in your work; good analytical skills bring many benefits to your career. The term ‘analytical’ refers to a wide range of traits and capabilities, making it sometimes ironically vague and general.

SQL Courses for Software Testers

Tihomir Babic

In this article, you will learn why software testers need SQL and which courses are ideal for them to learn it. Do software testers need SQL? Oh yes, they do! They don’t necessarily use it all the time or take advantage of all its possible features. But a tool for accessing data in a database is essential for a software tester. And SQL is exactly that: a programming language designed specifically for handling data in relational databases.

How Much Do Business Analysts Earn?

Himanshu Kathuria

What does a business analyst do, and why are they essential to their companies’ success? What skills do you need to become a business analyst? How much can you expect to earn? We’ll answer all those questions in this article. With our dependence on digital systems increasing by the day, IT and IT related jobs like business analysts are seeing a continuous boom in opportunities. Did you know that IDC estimates around 60% of the global GDP will be mostly impacted by the introduction of digital tools by the end 2022?

Prepare for a SQL Interview with LearnSQL.com

LearnSQL.com Team

You've been working hard to get a SQL interview at your dream company. Now they’ve called – and you need to prepare if you’re going to ace it. In this article, I’ll show you the most efficient way to prepare for a job interview using the interactive SQL courses at LearnSQL.com. SQL is an essential skill for anyone working with data. Wanna be a data analyst, data scientist, software engineer, or tester?

5 Tips for You From a Senior SQL Data Analyst

András Novoszáth

Are you looking for tips for becoming a better data analyst? Do you want to know about the mistakes and issues you may face? I have collected five tips for your everyday work based on my experience as a data analyst. You may have already read about what data analysts do, how much they earn, and how to become one. However, there is more to it than just becoming a data analyst.

PostgreSQL Interview Questions and Answers

Andrew Bone

Job interviews are always stressful. Interviewing and getting asked technical questions about PostgreSQL is even more of a challenge! In this article, we’ll cover some of the PostgreSQL interview questions you can expect when applying for a new job. By the end of the article, you should be able to handle most of the questions you are likely to face. We’ve previously covered common questions you can expect at a SQL job interview, but this article will be focused on Postgres specifically.

SQL for Startups – Do You Need It?

Kamila Ostrowska

If you’ve been wondering whether to use SQL in your startup, it’s probably high time to do so. SQL can be an amazing tool for small, fast-growing businesses. But don’t worry if you’re unfamiliar with SQL for startups. Maybe you are not sure what SQL is all about. Don’t worry; you don’t have to make any decisions this second! First, answer these questions: Can you think of any data related to your business – prices, clients, details about clients, production details, budget, costs, strategy, or anything else?

How SQL Helps Everyone in Your Office

Karolina Niewiarowska

I don't know about you, but I really like to make my life easier. If something can be done faster and more efficiently, especially if it's everyday, routine tasks, I’m all for it! This is where SQL works brilliantly. It's not just about complicated data analysis. Everyone in the office works with different types of data, and SQL can help anyone. How? Anything is possible once you learn SQL!

How to Show Your Sql Experience

Karolina Niewiarowska

Do you want to work in the IT industry? This is now one of the best ideas for a good career. What should convince you to do so? Demand for specialists, high earnings, and the fact that it is a future-proof profession. Interestingly, it's not gonna be that hard – especially for you, smartie! You just need some skills and good preparation for an interview to be successful. I'll tell you how to land a great job!

How Much Do Data Analysts Earn in 2021?

Marcin Koryszewski

How Much Do Data Analysts Earn in 2021? How much does a data analyst earn? We did some data analysis ourselves. Nothing fancy, but it will give you some extra motivation for learning SQL for your data analyst gig. Data, data everywhere! We live in the world of (big) data. Having data is just the first step. Knowing what to do with it, how to interpret it, and what insights it holds, is true greatness.

How Will a SQL Course Improve the New Employee Onboarding Process?

Jakub Romanowski

Are you looking for something to improve the onboarding process of new employees at your company? If they will be working with databases and SQL, and if you need resources for them to learn quickly, choose interactive SQL online courses. You’ve just hired some new employees. Great! After a long recruitment process, you have finally managed to find people who can do the job and meet your expectations. You may have even used our advice on why it makes sense to Practice SQL Before Interviewing a Potential Employee.

Best SQL Certifications for Leveling up Your Career

Kamila Ostrowska

Career If you want to build and strengthen your position in the IT industry, you should look into these SQL certifications. We always encourage you to learn, to gather new skills and experience. Training is really important; without it, you will not make much progress if you want to advance in IT or specifically in the SQL industry. That said, you also need something that can validate your competencies, like SQL certifications.

Skills Every Data Analyst Should Have

Kate Stolarek

If you’re a student looking for career advice or a specialist seeking new job opportunities, find out if a data analyst job is something worth considering. In today's article, I explain the essential skills required for data analysts and benefits that come from performing such a job. What Is a Data Analyst? Let’s start by defining exactly what a data analyst is. A data analyst is someone who uses their skills to collect, analyze, and report insights from company data.

Where Can I Find a Data Analyst Internship?

Karolina Niewiarowska

Are you wondering how to land a data analyst job without any professional experience? This article is the answer! Finding an SQL-related internship – an important part of eventually landing a data analyst job. Internships enrich your CV and, more importantly, help you learn SQL from the practical side. I will tell you where to find data analyst internships and what you should know about them. That's right! To gain experience, you need experience – especially when you’re entering the labor market or embarking on a new career.

Want to Work With Data? Learn SQL!

Jakub Romanowski

Are you looking for a database job? How are things working out? If you don't know what to do, I suggest you start by learning SQL. Here’s why. In this article, I’ll explain how you can succeed at finding a database job. If you are tired of your current job and fed up with your boss (who hasn't given you a raise in years), read on. Stay with me too if one more stupid Zoom call will make you scream.

Practicing SQL for Your First Day of Work

Arleta Więch

Your new SQL job is likely to surprise you in many ways. To minimize the risk of getting lost in the jungle of data, I recommend you get some additional SQL practice before your first day. There are special SQL practice sets and projects on the internet to help you prepare. You’ll also get help from your colleagues, as programmers are usually open and supportive. If you’re reading this, you’ve probably heard about the opportunities SQL and data science offer.

The Top 10 SQL JOIN Interview Questions and How to Answer Them

Andrew Bone

Have you ever wondered what SQL JOIN questions you might be asked in an interview? Do you feel prepared to answer them? This article covers the most common SQL JOIN interview questions and how to answer them. If you are applying for a job as a data analyst or software developer, you will likely be asked about your SQL JOIN knowledge. SQL JOIN clauses are a great topic for interviewers to quiz you on.

Practice SQL Before Interviewing a Potential Employee

Kamila Ostrowska

Has your company grown to the point that you need to hire an SQL expert? Have you found a candidate for the job? How do you prepare for the interview, especially if you don’t know SQL? Don't worry! Follow our suggestions on how to practice SQL. We have tips and tricks to help you feel confident and find the perfect employee. Who You Want To Hire First of all, you need to know the requirements for the new employee.

How to Boost Your Company With SQL Courses

Rebecca McKeown

SQL has the power to supercharge the capabilities and performance of your entire company. But if you don’t dip your toes in the water and give some SQL courses a go, you’ll never realize the vast potential of the language. SQL, or Structured Query Language, is your ticket to expanding the scope and the results of your business or organization, no matter what sector you operate in. Whether you’re the owner or manager of your company or simply an employee interested in improving operations, learning SQL is undoubtedly, unquestionably, for you.

How Will Learning SQL Make You a Better Boss?

Kamila Ostrowska

Want to improve the performance of your team, of your own, of your department, or of your entire company? Try SQL! Why should you learn SQL? Because it just pays off! What does learning SQL and being a better boss have to do with each other? Being a better manager can make your employees happier while growing your business. When employees feel a sense of fulfillment, they are more motivated to do well.

How Much Do Data Engineers Earn in 2020?

Marcin Koryszewski

Data engineering is a hot job right now. What does a data engineer do? And just how much do they earn? We’ve done the research for you. If you are reading this, you’re either starting to learn SQL or you already know some and feel it’s time to look around for a SQL job. Maybe you’re in the midst of tackling our Creating Database Structure track. And, let’s be honest, maybe you need some extra motivation to keep on you track.

Why and How to Find Freelance SQL Jobs

Rebecca McKeown

If Covid-19 has you all “I-want-to-stop-working-for-the-man-and-enjoy-a-more-fulfilling-life-as-the-master-of-my-own-destiny”, then I’ve got news for you. Not only is it possible to be an SQL freelancer, it’s also a potentially lucrative and liberating career move. It will allow you to work for a diverse range of clients and march to the beat of your own drum. Of course, SQL freelancing isn’t for everyone. You will need a strong sense of self-motivation, some serious hustling skills, and the ability to sell yourself and your services as THE ABSOLUTE BEST all the time, every time - day in, day out.

How to Convince Your Boss That You Need to Start Learning SQL

Pierre Timms

Learning SQL is a great goal. Now, if you could only convince your boss that it’s good for the company as well as for you ... You’re aware of the benefits of adding SQL to your skill set. You believe that the rewards gained from you learning SQL will also benefit your employer – it’s not just another way for you to develop your professional profile. But how do you articulate this to your boss?

Which Major Companies Use PostgreSQL? What Do They Use It for?

Jakub Romanowski

Which companies use the open-source relational database management system PostgreSQL? Find out … and learn why you should be a PostgreSQL user too. You know the blue elephant logo. You have heard that PostgreSQL is a very good solution. But which companies use it? Here is a list of the largest IT and business companies that use PostgreSQL (or Postgres, for short). Multinationals worth billions of dollars can't be wrong, right?

Advanced SQL Interview Questions (and Answers)

Tihomir Babic

Do you want to move to a job that uses SQL? Are you unsure about what to expect during the job interview or how to benchmark your knowledge? This article will give you a good idea of where you stand. If you feel stuck in your job, you’re not the only one. The modern division of work pushes people to perform very specific tasks, expecting them not to look at what's on the other side.

What SQL Practice Do You Need to Prepare for a Technical Job Interview?

Rebecca McKeown

You’ve scored yourself an interview for an SQL-related job. Nice work! But perhaps uncertainty is creeping in as your interview date looms closer. Do you know enough SQL to make the cut? What questions are you likely to be asked? What SQL practice should you be doing before your interview? Almost all SQL job candidates go through exactly the same nerve-wracking process. Here at LearnSQL.com, we have the lowdown on all the SQL practice and preparation you’ll need to ace those interview questions and take your career to the next level.

Are There Any Good SQL Courses for Marketers?

Kate Stolarek

Looking for places to learn SQL online and level up your marketing efforts? Check out these SQL courses. Introduction With the help of IT experts, meticulous marketers analyze information to create advertising strategies. This commonplace state of affairs forces the marketer to rely on data experts and sometimes wait for their availability. But what if marketers could pull the data themselves? They can – by turning into a technical marketer.

Types of Database Jobs: Choose One of Them and Start Being Awesome

Jakub Romanowski

Do you dream of high earnings and interesting work? Are you fed up with your boss and his or her annoying vacation stories in exotic countries? Is it time to change your job? Why not learn SQL? Here are some examples of the types of database jobs that may lead you to a better life. What types of database jobs use SQL? Here are some examples, but first, a small caveat.

How Will Learning SQL Improve My Daily Work?

An Introduction to Using SQL Aggregate Functions with JOINs

Francisco Claria

Previously, we've discussed the use of SQL aggregate functions with the GROUP BY statement. Regular readers of the our blog will also remember our recent tutorial about JOINs. If you're a bit rusty on either subject, I encourage you to review them before continuing this article. That's because we will dig further into aggregate functions by pairing them with JOINs. This duo unleashes the full possibilities of SQL aggregate functions and allows us to perform computations on multiple tables in a single query.

Learning JOINs With Real World SQL Examples

Francisco Claria

The JOIN statement lets you work with data stored in multiple tables. In this article, I’ll walk you through the topic of JOIN clauses using real world SQL examples. Imagine if you could only work with one database table at a time. Fortunately, this isn’t anything we have to worry about. Once you learn the JOIN statement, you can start linking data together. In this article, I’ll use real world SQL examples that illustrate how we use JOINs, how each type of JOIN works, and when to use each type.

SQL JOINs

join

Patrycja Dybka

A SQL JOIN is a method to retrieve data from two or more database tables. This article presents a basic overview of what data from a particular SQL join will look like. A popular way of understanding SQL joins is to visualize them using Venn diagrams, so each example have corresponding Venn diagram, appropriate SELECT statement and the result table. There are a few major kinds of SQL joins:

SQL JOINs for Beginners

join

Adrian Dembek

You’re probably already familiar with simple SQL queries, such as SELECT * FROM table. Now you are wondering what to do when you have multiple tables, and you want to join them. Exactly! JOIN is the key. In this SQL JOINs tutorial for beginners, you will learn how to connect data from multiple tables. What are SQL JOINs? Databases usually have more than one table. JOINs are an SQL construction used to join data from two or more tables.

What Is the OUTER JOIN in SQL?

lsql
joins

Himanshu Kathuria

Even if you are new to SQL, you must have come across the term OUTER JOIN. In this article, I will explain what OUTER JOIN in SQL does. I’ll use some practical examples to demonstrate how it is used in day-to-day SQL applications. If you want to use SQL for practical purposes, learning the different JOINs is extremely important. In fact, you will be using a JOIN in just about every second query you write.

5 Best Practices for Writing SQL JOINs

sql
joins

Dorota Wdzięczna

One of the challenges in writing SQL queries is choosing whether to use a subquery or a JOIN. There are many situations in which a JOIN is the better solution, and there are others where a subquery is better. Let’s consider this topic in detail. Subqueries are used in complex SQL queries. Usually, there is a main outer query and one or more subqueries nested within the outer query.

How to Join 3 Tables (or More) in SQL

Kamil Bladoszewski

Using JOIN in SQL doesn’t mean you can only join two tables. You can join 3, 4, or even more! The possibilities are limitless. The best way to practice SQL JOINs is LearnSQL.com's interactive SQL JOINs course. It contains over 90 hands-on exercises that let you refresh your SQL JOINs knowledge. It covers a wide range of topics from simple 2-table JOINs, through joining multiple tables and using OUTER JOINs, to joining a table with itself.

How to LEFT JOIN Multiple Tables in SQL

Kateryna Koidan

Can you LEFT JOIN three tables in SQL? Yes, indeed! You can use multiple LEFT JOINs in one query if needed for your analysis. In this article, I will go through some examples to demonstrate how to LEFT JOIN multiple tables in SQL and how to avoid some common pitfalls when doing so. The best way to practice different types of joins is our interactive SQL JOINs course. It contains over 90 hands-on exercises that cover simple 2-table joins, joining multiple tables, LEFT JOIN, FULL JOIN, and many more.

Why Do Relational Databases Use Primary Keys and Foreign Keys?

keys

Martyna Sławińska

Relational databases organize data in a standardized manner. All data is entered into tables, the so-called relations. The tables are linked with one another to create connections between the data. The backbone of any relational database is the primary and foreign keys. Read along to find out why they are so important. In this article, we focus on the reasons why relational databases use primary and foreign keys. First, we review what primary and foreign keys are.

High Performance Statistical Queries –Skewness and Kurtosis

Dejan Sarka

In descriptive statistics, the first four population moments include center, spread, skewness, and kurtosis or peakedness of a distribution. In this article, I am explaining the third and fourth population moments, the skewness and the kurtosis, and how to calculate them. Mean uses the values on the first degree in the calculation; therefore, it is the first population moment. Standard deviation uses the squared values and is therefore the second population moment.

What Programming Language Should You Learn?

Magdalena Wojtas

If you've ever been wondering which programming language you should learn first, you know that's a tough nut to crack. It’s especially difficult if you are new to IT and programming. In this article, I give suggestions for what to learn first and what perspectives each language can give you in IT. There are hundreds of programming languages, and new ones are showing up all the time. Getting to know all of them is simply impractical and impossible.

How to Group by Multiple Columns in SQL

Gustavo du Mortier

When analyzing large data sets, you often create groupings and apply aggregate functions to find totals or averages. In these cases, using the GROUP BY clause with multiple columns unfolds its full potential. GROUP BY is a clause of the SELECT command. It allows you to compute various statistics for a group of rows. For example, you can use GROUP BY with an employee table to know how many employees are of each gender.

What Is a CTE in SQL Server?

Tihomir Babic

What is a CTE, and how do you write a CTE in SQL Server? Join us on a journey where we’ll see all the typical usage of a CTE in SQL Server. CTEs (or Common Table Expressions) are an SQL feature used for defining a temporary named result. You can think of it as a temporary table whose output is available only when the main query is run. This is practical because the CTEs result isn’t stored anywhere but can always be referenced inside the query like any other table.

Is SQL Hard to Learn?

Jill Thornhill

If you have no IT skills, how hard is it to learn SQL? Will it be too technical for you? Is it worth the effort? And where would you start? In this article I will answer those questions. As an IT consultant and trainer, I've often advised people to learn SQL. And, almost as often the reply has been, "Is it hard to learn SQL? Do I need technical or IT skills to learn it?

SQL Books for Beginners

Kamila Ostrowska

How can you learn SQL more efficiently? Besides a good online course, find an interesting book to enrich your knowledge. Here are the best SQL books for beginners. SQL, or Structured Query Language, is a very powerful tool to work with many types of data. If you are interested in learning SQL you probably know how useful it is, and how widely it is needed. To learn SQL successfully, a solid online course for beginners like our SQL Basics is a great start.

Christmas SQL Scholarship 2022

LearnSQL.com Team

We know 2022 was very difficult for many of you. Now that it is slowly coming to an end, we’ve decided to end it with something positive. Here is the Christmas SQL Scholarship 2022! Let's enter the new year together with new energy and a chance for change! The LearnSQL.com Team wants to help those less fortunate. This Christmas, we are going to help someone change his/her life. We are going to fund 50 SQL Scholarships for those who cannot afford to learn SQL and who may find it helpful in a difficult situation.

The Future of SQL

Jill Thornhill

Is it worthwhile to learn SQL? Or will a language that’s over 40 years old soon be outdated? Have relational databases been eclipsed by the advent of other database solutions like NoSQL? In this article, we answer these questions. Do you need to upgrade your IT skills? What should you learn first? The choice is daunting. If you're looking to the future, you obviously want to invest your time in something that's still widely used and will continue to be in the years to come.

What Are the Basic SQL Queries?

Ignacio L. Bisso

You can access the data in a database using some basic SQL queries. In this article, we review the fundamentals SQL queries every beginner should know. Databases are everywhere, and they contain different kinds of data. Almost all of them support SQL, a language that lets you read and manipulate the data inside a database. In this article, I’ll show you the basic SQL queries that you can use to perform many common everyday data tasks.

Things SQL Beginners Need To Consider Before Writing a SQL Query

Kateryna Koidan

SQL is known for its easy-to-follow syntax that even beginners can understand pretty quickly. Still, to write your own SQL queries, you need to know the basics. Let’s explore what things need to be considered before writing a SQL query. If you are looking for a career in data analysis or just want to work effectively and independently with data in any analytical position, you’ll need to master SQL. Luckily, this programming language is beginner-friendly and can be learned just in a few months with the right learning sources.

SQL Courses for Software Testers

Tihomir Babic

In this article, you will learn why software testers need SQL and which courses are ideal for them to learn it. Do software testers need SQL? Oh yes, they do! They don’t necessarily use it all the time or take advantage of all its possible features. But a tool for accessing data in a database is essential for a software tester. And SQL is exactly that: a programming language designed specifically for handling data in relational databases.

How the WITH Clause Works in SQL

Ignacio L. Bisso

Do you want to master complex SQL queries? Learn how to use the powerful WITH clause! In SQL, there are simple queries and complex queries. A simple query can take data from a table, apply a filter, and return the data as it is in the source table. A complex query may require complex transformations to the source data or may need to read and join data from multiple tables or views.

Free Course of the Month – SQL Practice Set in PostgreSQL

LearnSQL.com Team

Do you know the basics of PostgreSQL but still need some practice? Look no further! Here is a great interactive course, SQL Practice Set in PostgreSQL. Throughout the month of September, you have access to it for FREE! We at LearnSQL.com believe that to learn a new skill, you need basic theoretical knowledge and, above all, a lot of practice. It's the same with writing PostgreSQL queries – you need a lot of PostgreSQL practice.

How to Learn SQL for Marketing Analytics With LearnSQL.com

Kateryna Koidan

SQL is a valuable tool for any experts wanting to make data-driven decisions. Marketers are no exception. Let's explore how to design an effective learning path for SQL in marketing. SQL for marketing analytics is used to understand customers better and to increase the effectiveness of marketing campaigns. If you work in marketing and want to join other marketing experts who have already benefited from this tool, you need to learn SQL.

What's New in MS SQL Server 2022

Lisandro Fernigrini

Microsoft SQL Server 2022 is almost here! In this article, we’ll review what new enhancements and features will be coming to this popular relational database. The new version of MS SQL Server will become available almost three years after SQL Server 2019 was released. (You can learn more about the origins and different versions of SQL Server in A Brief History of MS SQL Server.) If you need to start implementing a software solution, there are plenty of changes and new features in SQL Server 2022 that makes it a great option.

How to Learn SQL

Kamila Ostrowska

It takes quite an effort to learn SQL or any new skill for that matter. But pushing hard is not enough to learn it successfully. You can sit for hours and still feel like you're not making progress. So, what do you do? Let it go or try even harder? I say: work smart, not hard. SQL (Structured Query Language) is one of the most popular programming languages. It is an invaluable tool in a world overflowing with data.

LearnSQL Track of the Season: Creating Database Structure

Jakub Romanowski

Summer is a great time to learn something new! Have you heard about data engineering? It’s one of today’s hottest skills. In this article, I'll show you why we selected our Creating Database Structures track as our SQL Track of the Season – and why it’s your ticket to a new career! LearnSQL.com offers online SQL training tracks – logically structured and well-thought-out learning paths that will help you work towards becoming an SQL expert.

PostgreSQL vs. MySQL: Is It Difficult to Switch?

Alexandre Bruffa

So you know PostgreSQL, but the boss has decided to switch to MySQL. What are the differences between these two SQL dialects? We discuss PostgreSQL vs. MySQL in this article. PostgreSQL has gained popularity in the last decade, and many developers and database specialists learned PostgreSQL as their first SQL dialect. But PostgreSQL is not the only relational database; during your IT career, you will probably be asked to use another SQL dialect – like MySQL.

What Is an SQL Query?

Dmitri Vaitkun

An SQL query is the most basic SQL command. It is a question you ask a database. In this article, we dive into the basics of SQL queries to kickstart your SQL journey with practical knowledge right away! SQL, or Structured Query Language, is a programming language designed to interact with databases. When you want to access data in a database, be it to alter, delete, add, or simply extract information, you use SQL.

Lesser-Known SQL YouTube Channels You Need to Follow Now!

Jakub Romanowski

Are you learning SQL? Many beginners start with YouTube tutorials. However, popular SQL clips are not always very helpful. You need to know which ones to watch so that you don't waste your time. In this article, I discuss SQL YouTube channels that, while not the most popular, deserve your attention. Click "subscribe" and watch! Those who follow my articles on LearnSQL.com know I'm not a huge fan of learning SQL from YouTube.

How to Set Up a Company SQL Training Program with LearnSQL.com

Kateryna Koidan

Are you looking to set up a business or corporate SQL training for your company's employees? In this article, we’ll discuss how to build an efficient SQL training program and why the LearnSQL.com platform is the choice of leading tech companies. If you are responsible for employees’ professional development – especially in a data-driven company – you know that SQL is essential for anyone who works with data. This programming language can enhance the performance of data and business analysts (for whom SQL is often a primary tool) as well as marketers, salespeople, HR specialists, auditors, and many more.

How to Get More from Your BI Tools with SQL

András Novoszáth

Are you frustrated with the limitations of your business analytics tool? Do you wonder if there are other features you could tap into? Would you like to know how SQL compliments your work with Power BI and Tableau? Read this article to learn more! If you are a data analyst or if data analysis is part of your everyday job, Business Intelligence (BI) tools are crucial for your work. You also know that most databases run SQL queries in the background of such tools.

I Already Know PostgreSQL. Is it Hard to Start Using MS SQL Server?

Alexandre Bruffa

What are the differences in PostgreSQL vs. MS SQL Server? We discuss the similarities and the differences between these two popular SQL dialects. Many of us developers and database specialists began working with free relational databases like PostgreSQL or MySQL for personal projects or small organizations. Some of us have since moved on to organizations using MS SQL Server and have had to learn to use the new tool. You may be wondering how challenging that is and whether you would struggle with SQL Server under similar circumstances.

What Is SQL Used For?

Himanshu Kathuria

So you’ve heard about databases and SQL, but you’re not sure what the big deal is. Read on to find out why data skills like SQL are so important. It seems like every other job requires you to know something about data, databases, and SQL. But what are these things, and what are they used for? Who even uses SQL? That’s what we’ll discuss in this article. Why Data Is So Important The Internet and the technology revolution have brought unprecedented opportunities.

An Overview of SQL Text Functions in MySQL

Tihomir Babic

Do you work in MySQL as a data analyst? Then you should know how to use its text functions – data analysts don’t work only with numbers. Reporting requires computations, data classification, and label creation, and you can do all of that in MySQL. In this article, I’ll explain several of the most common and useful MySQL text functions by discussing what they do and showing how they do it.

What Is SQL?

Kateryna Koidan

SQL may be something you hear about from your colleagues. Or you may see it in the job description for your dream role or notice it in a list of the most popular programming languages. So, what is SQL? Should you learn it? Let's find out. Do you think about a career in data analysis and data science? Do you need to interact with relational databases at work? Do you want to improve your performance as a marketer, HR specialist, or researcher by making more informed decisions?

An Overview of Microsoft SQL Server Text Functions

Tihomir Babic

Data analysts use text values when creating SQL reports. You can create your own labels with functions, classify rows based on text value, or do computations based on it. This article covers how to do all that. The text values in databases are not just for reading. As with numeric values, we perform operations on them and manipulate the text. SQL Server has a fair number of text functions.

Learn SQL in 4 Steps

Himanshu Kathuria

Want to work with data? You’ll need SQL. Fortunately, you can learn SQL in just 4 steps! If you are interested in data crunching or working with data in general, you’ve probably heard something about SQL. Now that data storage is cheap and accessible, data from every transaction can be stored and analyzed. Hence, there’s great demand for people who can capture and work with this data. We’ve even seen entire companies profit from being proficient with data; for example, consider the ever-growing value of Google and Facebook (now Meta).

These SQL Queries Will Help You With Data Analysis

Himanshu Kathuria

Need to streamline your everyday data analysis tasks? This article explains how basic SQL queries can help. If you are planning a corporate career or any field that involves working with data, you must have come across SQL, or Structured Query Language. SQL was first developed in the 1970s and it continues to be the industry standard for database interactions. Many of you may already have decided to learn this language, given how powerful it is.