The Best Way to Learn SQL

Now is a time when lots of people look for new opportunities in order to get fresh professional experiences. Among other programming skills, knowledge in the SQL language is still considered one of the hottest and in-demand needed for career advancement. Once you master SQL programming, you’ll have a much greater chance of getting a better job or upgrade the one you already have. 

So, what is the main reason for learning SQL? There is a huge quantity of information fluctuating out there in the digital space created in the SQL codes. So, to manage this data, to be able to access it to analyze, one ought to practice and learn SQL language.

Most big corporations utilize SQL as a powerful tool necessary to process patterns of their data. SQL programming  is also needed for updates of corporate websites’ databases. So, mastering SQL skills is a good move,  especially if you’re thinking about getting your foot in the door or doing database management. SQL knowledge is essential for landing a job as a database analyst. Luckily, with an abundance of technology online courses and online tutorials, you can start your educational process of learning SQL online today without spending a fortune. 

So, what is needed in order to make SQL learning fast and more effective? Is it actually hard to learn SQL, you might wonder. At first, don’t think that to become a pro in writing SQL queries and building SQL databases you have to be a nerd in computer science. Don’t let this word “SQL” be intimidating to you. Instead, turn a process of learning SQL language into a fun and rewarding experience.

Where to start learning SQL?

Find the best online course for learning SQL that works for you and then just collect benefits. In actuality, SQL is a programming language that anybody can learn and practice.

In this blog post, we’ve outlined some essential steps on how to start from the get-go and where the good starting point is in the process of learning SQL for beginners.

How to start learning SQL fast without hitting too many books

Before going further into this topic, let’s go over some basic information on SQL programming language.

What SQL is actually needed for?

Basically, an “SQL” abbreviation stands for Structured Query Language, primarily used for generating databases. But that’s not all. SQL capabilities include modification of indexes and tables used in most databases, working with big blocks of data, going through a process of adding or updating, as well as for removal rows of data. You can create tables with SQL codes, retrieve details for transactions, and do analytics for databases. Now SQL is even used for designing mobile applications or writing scripts for websites.

Okay, where is the best place for finding information about SQL programming? In reality, there are many options to choose from. Just pick the most convenient way for your SQL learning. 

How to get started learning SQL?

Here is an outline of various approaches:

• Learn SQL basics with theory (sometimes online blogs are useful for this);
• Implement SQL concepts through constant practice;
• Read books and tutorials (hit some local bookstores);
• Take Technology Online Courses (these options we recommend as proven and effective for boosting skills).
• Learn SQL online interactive (collaborate with more experienced programmers on forums and join thematic groups in social media).

In case, if you came up with questions during your SQL learning process, you can’t find the answers to for some reason, use such online resources like StackExchange, Reddit, Stack Overflow, or Quora. Once you post questions on anything you wonder about regarding SQL codes or queries, odds are there is always someone who will make a post with just the right answer.

How to learn SQL with digital marketplaces and other online resources

So you’re a newbie in SQL programming. Then find, enroll, and work through online technology courses designed for SQL beginners. Peek at these handiest online resources here:

• Khan Academy (provides short lessons by making YouTube videos);
• Coursera (creates video lectures, as well as information posted on discussion forums);
• Grinfer (Dutch-based e-learning platform with a great variety of online courses for learning programming languages);
• Udemy (offers and sells online content created by experienced authors);
• Code academy (offers lots of good hands-on exercises);
• SQL Bolt (provides interactive exercises);
• LinkedIn Learning (offers video courses created by industry experts);
• Vertabelo (a handy online database);
• Solo learn (contain short quizzes good for testing skills);
• SQL Teaching (contains efficient exercises created for newbies).

How to find ways to convey SQL learning to a daily routine

Once SQL developers gain enough knowledge in newly acquired SQL skills, they start looking for ways of conveying them to the daily routine. This is needed for gaining more practical experience. It’s great if your job provides such opportunities. However, most future developers are in need of getting their hands-on practice in writing SQL codes and queries before they join the desired workplace.

Obviously, the smartest way to go is to acquire a clear picture of what you’ll be dealing with and understand the future functions. Let’s look into some effective strategies effective for the integration of SQL skills in your conventional activities:

• Find out whether the company you work for possibly needs somebody with SQL skills. If yes, this would be a good chance to make SQL programming a part of the daily routine.
• Organize everything by keeping everything documented to test or validate stuff later, as you go along in your learning. Don’t be lazy – document it all. This gets you in a habit to write and organize instead of just laying back and spending your time watching videos on SQL learning. This will also trigger your mind and set it for constant thinking and analysis.
• If your company is big on producing all kinds of reports, this is your chance to start writing SQL queries. Lots of reports equals lots of databases, so don’t miss on this opportunity to start practicing SQL with producing querying data. This knowledge might even leverage your position in the workplace and make it privileged. The faster you deal with the most relevant data (passing it over to your management faster than your colleagues) the better it makes you look.
• Don’t miss out on the opportunity of becoming a cool blogger by creating a credible source in the SQL world. The blog may require lots of effort and a fair amount of time to be invested. However, you’ll see the advantage of building two-way interactions with others. You’ll not only find lots of like-minded people and build an audience but also gain more skills from learning other people’s experiences. Join online communities, forums, or user groups interested in the same subject. Or even create them yourself. People say that sharing is caring, and it’s true.

How SQL beginner can find more opportunities for practicing

To get better in writing SQL codes is like anything – you need lots of regular exercises. Try to get enough practice daily, stay consistent in your SQL programming process. Look at it as at any fitness training – exercise and work your muscles off. After a while, you’ll see how your knowledge in SQL becomes stronger. It doesn’t have to be hard or time-consuming. Just a half an hour per day is enough for maintaining all essential concepts of SQL programming in your head. You can always go back to them and refresh, if needed. Keep reading through notes you make regularly while learning SQL. Share your experience with other SQL learners by going to forum discussions online.

Take a peek at a few more hints on how to find even more strategies for practicing SQL programing:

• Be a superhero in SQL coding challenges and boost your skills by participating. In case the idea sounds good, here are websites to check out: HackerEarth, Hacker Rank, CoderByte. Don’t hesitate to use the SQL coding challenges these websites offer and practice them in your spare time.
• Do networking by joining online forums and interacting with your peers while practicing SQL coding skills. Forums for programmers are great for posting any questions about SQL learning, as well as for helping others with finding ways to resolve their issues. Odds are, you won’t find many step-by-step guidelines on SQL coding there. By giving your back and support to others in their SQL learning process, you’ll reinforce your own strength and knowledge in SQL. There is one community that’s been pretty good so far for posting helpful and interesting topics regarding SQL programming  – Stack Overflow. This forum gathers not only SQL newbies but also has a great number of experienced SQL coders who you can turn to asking for assistance.
• Create your own SQL database and start practicing writing SQL queries by analysis and modifications. This process contributes to becoming more comfortable with SQL skills which are needed for your future job. Do it like an SQL expert with one of the best-known systems for database management – MySQL. This platform builds SQL databases created by users. Don’t hesitate and get out of your comfort zone – do lots of practicing with SQL coding. Lots of practical experience in SQL programming will get you where you want to be much faster.

Start your SQL programming journey with an online course “SQL Programming: Beginner’s Workshop” on Grinfer. You’ll learn all the basics of SQL programming for only $19.99. This SQL course was created by Van Jordan, a full-stack web and database developer passionate about SQL databases and programming. He is also a pro in working with web apps written in Javascript.

Once completing this SQL course, you’ll get a comprehensive knowledge in SQL programming language understanding how it works and what is the purpose of SQL. You’ll get familiar with different types of SQL databases like Sakila, altering tables and MySQL built-in functions, designing databases, and much more.