Zomalex | Data and AI Training

SQL Overview Course Outline

Who should attend

People who want to get started learning the basics of SQL and how to use it to extract data from databases. Much of the world’s valuable data is locked away in databases and SQL is the key to unlocking it.

In this overview course, there are no hands-on exercises so attendees do not need to install any software before the course. Instead, the instructor will demo SQL and databases, and show how to use AI tools to help with writing SQL throughout the session.

Learning Objectives

Attendees will be able to write basic SQL statements to extract data from databases. AI assistants, such as Copilot, can help explain and generate SQL statements and attendees will learn how to specify their requirements in plain English to get the best from these AI tools.

Course Content

Introduction to SQL and databases. Why is SQL important?

SQL SELECT Basics. The structure of a simple SELECT statement: the column list, WHERE, ORDER BY and GROUP BY clauses.

Filter data with the WHERE clause. Use the WHERE clause to get exactly the rows that you require from an (often very large) table.
Summarise data with the GROUP BY clause and aggregation functions: e.g. COUNT, SUM, AVG.
Sort data with the ORDER BY clause
Create calculated columns
Join tables to return a dataset that combines data from more than one table.

Understand the structure of databases: tables (columns, data types, nullability, cardinality, primary keys) and relationships between tables (common columns, foreign keys, referential integrity).

Use AI assistants to explain a SQL statement in plain English, and to generate a SQL statement based on instructions.

Course Length

Half day (3 hours)

Pre-requisites

None. This is an introduction course.