Which SQL Training Format Is Right for Me?

SQL, or structured query language, is one of the most in-demand skills for those who work with big data. Learning this computer language makes you more marketable on the job hunt, and the knowledge of how to effectively communicate with relational databases is an asset to the organization where you work. When comparing various types of SQL training, there are many factors to consider. Because everyone learns differently, choosing the right kind of training for your learning style is critical to your experience.

Keep reading to learn more about the different formats of SQL training, how they compare, and how to decide which is the best match for you.

What is SQL?

SQL, or Structured Query Language, is a standard language used to communicate with relational databases. Organizations across industries rely on SQL to access and work with the data contained in their databases. Important business information about products, customers, or orders is just some data an organization may store in a database. Among its many uses, SQL has applications for searching, updating, and maintaining databases. It can also insert or delete records from databases and change the database's actual structure by creating or deleting tables and objects.

SQL operates on local intranet or internet systems and can be used on laptops, PCs, servers, and some mobile devices. Even though SQL is considered to be a relatively simple programming language, it is a powerful tool for helping users retrieve the specific information they need within a large database. Those working with SQL don’t need coding skills and can instead use basic keywords such as “update” or “select” to perform data queries.

Some of the most-used relational database management systems that use SQL are Microsoft SQL Server, Ingres, Access, and Oracle.

What Can You Do with SQL?

For anyone who works with data, SQL knowledge is a must. Many fields and disciplines use this language to communicate with relational databases. SQL’s flexibility is designed to help you use statements based on English to query a database in multiple ways. Because SQL is the most-used database language, nearly every organization that has to store relational data relies on SQL, including major corporations such as Amazon, Google, and Uber. In addition, websites such as Facebook use SQL to store back-end data and process data.

SQL has a wide range of built-in functions that are useful for data analytics:

• SQL COUNT can count how many rows are in a table
• SQL MAX provides a way to select the highest value for a given column
• SQL MIN lets users choose the minimum value for a column
• SQL SUM totals the values in a column
• SQL AVG can calculate the average within table columns

In addition, SQL has other useful applications for handling large volumes of data:

• It can add, update, or delete records within a database
• SQL can create new databases
• SQL users can add new tables to an existing database
• SQL can create views or stored procedures in a database
• It can establish permissions on views, tables, and procedures.

Training Formats for SQL

Learning SQL has never been easier, thanks to the number of learning options currently available for beginners as well as more advanced SQL users. If you’re considering in-person SQL study, Noble Desktop’s class locator tool provides a comprehensive listing of in-person SQL classes close to home. Online SQL courses are also available in both the live online and on-demand format. Whereas live online classes occur at regularly scheduled times and are led by an instructor in real-time, on-demand SQL courses involve self-paced study and tend to cost less. In addition, online tutorials and videos are another helpful SQL learning method.

In-Person SQL Training

In-person study is a popular option for those who thrive in a classroom environment. Students who enjoy the camaraderie of learning with others and receiving support and feedback from the instructor will likely benefit from in-person SQL coursework. For some, this traditional approach to study, in which they arrive for class on time and actively participate in lessons, helps to cement new concepts and foster a sense of accountability in the learning process. In addition, being with others in a classroom can help students network and make professional connections that will last beyond the duration of the course. However, it’s also important to consider that in-person study requires an additional time commitment of commuting to and from class.

If you are the kind of person who gravitates toward in-person learning, the good news is that there are plenty of options currently available from top educational providers. Noble Desktop’s in-person SQL classes are one such option. Their SQL Bootcamp spans just a few weeks and covers core SQL concepts, such as PostgreSQL, aggregating data, and filtering. Noble’s campus is located in New York City and is central to many public transportation options. If you live elsewhere and are interested in finding in-person courses, Noble’s Classes Near Me tool can help you compare in-person SQL courses near home. These course listings feature a variety of top education providers where you can learn SQL near you.

Live-Online SQL Training

In-person study is a popular option for those who thrive in a classroom environment. Students who enjoy the camaraderie of learning with others and receiving support and feedback from the instructor will likely benefit from in-person SQL coursework. For some, this traditional approach to study, in which they arrive for class on time and actively participate in lessons, helps to cement new concepts and foster a sense of accountability in the learning process. In addition, being with others in a classroom can help students network and make professional connections that will last beyond the duration of the course. However, it’s also important to consider that in-person study requires an additional time commitment of commuting to and from class.

If you are the kind of person who gravitates toward in-person learning, the good news is that there are plenty of options currently available from top educational providers. Noble Desktop’s in-person SQL classes are one such option. Their SQL Bootcamp spans just a few weeks and covers core SQL concepts, such as PostgreSQL, aggregating data, and filtering. Noble’s campus is located in New York City and is central to many public transportation options. If you live elsewhere and are interested in finding in-person courses, Noble’s Classes Near Me tool can help you compare in-person SQL courses near home. These course listings feature a variety of top education providers where you can learn SQL near you.

Free Online Courses & Tutorials

If you aren’t entirely ready to dive into a full-length course in SQL but still want to learn more about this programming language, a great option is to begin your studies for free online. In Noble Desktop’s free Intro to SQL, students receive an hour of beginner-level instruction about databases, the professional applications of SQL among Data Engineers and Data Scientists, and real-world examples of what SQL can do.

In addition to Noble’s free introductory video, other top educational providers offer free online resources to help you learn SQL. Udemy currently has free coursework and tutorials devoted exclusively to SQL. It has beginner-level online courses, such as Introduction to Databases and SQL Querying, as well as SQL Foundations. For those seeking more advanced SQL instruction, Udemy also offers Advanced Databases and SQL Querying. If you’re interested in learning SQL’s specific applications in the data sciences, Coursera currently lists SQL for Data Sciences. This free course starts with SQL basics before progressing to more advanced topics, such as writing complex queries, creating tables, and data governance.

Read more about free SQL videos and online tutorials.

In addition to Noble Desktop’s Intro to SQL hour-long free webinar on SQL basics and Noble’s SQL Blog & Learning Resources page with over two dozen SQL articles, other top educational providers also offer free SQL online tutorials and courses:

• FreeCodeCamp’s SQL Tutorial – Full Database Course for Beginners is a four-hour course that has helped more than 12 million people on YouTube learn topics such as database management and MySQL.
• EdX’s SQL Courses are sourced from top-tier universities like MIT and Harvard. They provide free lessons on topics like Advanced Database Queries and SQL Concepts for Data Engineers.
• SQLCourse has beginner-friendly and more advanced SQL tutorials available for free on their website. Those looking to practice SQL skills can use their SQL interpreter tool to ensure they’re learning new data concepts.

On-Demand Classes

For students looking to learn SQL around other life commitments like work or family, enrolling in a live online class may not be feasible. Learning options such as on-demand SQL courses might be a better match. These affordable (or even free) introductory courses provide learners with self-paced instruction on core SQL topics, such as navigating databases, joining tables, writing SQL code, and making queries.

Comparison of SQL Training Formats

Just as no two learners are the same, no two learning formats for studying SQL are the same. When studying SQL, several learning options are available to fit your professional, financial, and educational needs.

In-person SQL study is a great learning option because it allows students to connect and receive feedback from their instructor in the moment. In addition, the classroom environment provides the essential computer and software tools for SQL study. However, if you can’t find an in-person learning option close to home or don’t want to commute to and from class for every meeting, live online study is an excellent alternative. Just like in-person coursework, studying SQL in the live online format connects you with an instructor who can provide support and answer questions in real-time. Best of all, you can complete coursework remotely from your own home or office space.

In addition to live online SQL courses, on-demand SQL training is available from many online providers. These courses generally cost less than live online or in-person study and are geared toward those new to SQL and looking for a basic overview. Because they are self-paced, students can complete modules and watch pre-recorded videos on their own time, at their own speed. However, it’s important to consider that learning to work with databases can be tricky, especially for those who do not have prior experience handling big data or executing basic queries. Therefore, if you’re new to relational databases and need real-time guidance to help with your studies, in-person or live online classes may provide a more supportive, hands-on framework in which to study, where students can get answers to questions as they arise.

Is it Possible to Teach Yourself SQL?

If you are looking to learn SQL basics or get an overview of relational databases to navigate their interface, you can find online videos and tutorials to provide you with this information. Because of the sheer number of online SQL resources available, you will need to sift through them to ensure that the instruction you choose is accurate and helpful and was posted by someone with SQL expertise.

However, if you need to gain a solid understanding of SQL for your job, having an expert instructor guide you through your learning process and provide essential information is important. Those seeking SQL training extending beyond basic querying will likely learn more from live online or in-person study. SQL experts who have real-world experience working with relational databases provide course material and lessons, ensuring that you receive instruction on relevant and timely SQL topics.

How to Decide the Best Way to Learn SQL

The path of learning SQL varies from person to person. Because so many learning options are available to help you learn this popular programming language, it’s essential to consider which method best suits your needs and goals. The first step in the SQL learning journey is to decide why you’re interested in learning this language. For example, if you are new to SQL and only want a basic overview of what this language does and how to use it, a short introductory course such as Noble Desktop’s free Intro to SQL is a great starting point. In this hour-long class, you’ll learn how data science and data engineering professions use SQL and encounter real-world examples of SQL in use. Noble also offers SQL Level 1, a hands-on, one-day course that covers basic SQL concepts like working with tables and writing SQL queries.

However, if you’re looking to learn SQL to help with your current career, a bootcamp may be a better option. Noble’s SQL Bootcamp provides students with 18 hours of SQL instruction in industry-relevant topics, such as filtering and grouping data, using join statements, and performing subqueries. This course is offered both in-person in Manhattan and in the live online environment, providing the additional flexibility of deciding which learning format is most suited for you. Because of the relatively short length of this bootcamp, you can become proficient in SQL without having to devote many weeks or months to full-time study. Noble also has an SQL Server Bootcamp, an intensive, 24-hour course that focuses primarily on Microsoft SQL Server.

Because no two learners are the same and no two learning environments are the same, it’s essential to compare different learning tools and environments most suited to your learning style and preferences as well as your professional goals. When deciding how you’d like to learn SQL, consider the cost of study and the demands of classwork when making your ultimate decision. If you have no prior programming or SQL experience, it would be easier to learn this language in a beginner-level course than in a rigorous bootcamp. In addition, if you prefer studying with an instructor in a classroom, in-person learning options may be more effective than remote study.

Learn SQL with Hands-on Training at Noble Desktop

When learning SQL for a career, many people choose instructor-led classes, which provide personalized assistance and in-the-moment feedback on their code. If you’re interested in learning the basics of SQL or receiving more advanced instruction, Noble Desktop has multiple course offerings in SQL. Classes are available in the live online environment as well as in-person in New York City.

Those new to using SQL can enroll in Noble’s SQL Level 1, a beginner-friendly class designed to teach students the basics of working with this language. Throughout this instructor-led, one-day course, students build a foundation in SQL by learning about rows, columns, tables, and basic filtering. By course completion, participants will have a solid understanding of database architecture and will be able to write basic SQL queries for Microsoft SQL Server.

If you’re looking to learn more advanced SQL concepts, Noble also offers an SQL Bootcamp led by expert instructors. Those enrolled in this 18-hour course receive hands-on instruction on core SQL skills, such as how to write queries, filter and group data, and combine information from various tables using join statements. Participants in this small class also gain experience working with PostgreSQL as well as the free DBeaver app. All students have the option of a free retake of the course if they wish to brush up on their SQL skills. Prospective students can also learn more about SQL with Noble’s learning resources.