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Here is a collection of resources for learning and writing SQL. These include tools for editing SQL, sample SQL databases, websites, online courses and conferences.
After the course, the best way to practice SQL is with your own organisation’s data. If that is not possible you may want to use the SQL scripts provided by these courses. Use the GitHub Codespaces approach described in the joining instructions to have access to a SQL editor in a browser, without any need to install any software locally.
The SQL scripts often refer to tables in the class course. It is not possible to provide access to this database outside the course. However here are links to CSV files containing the data for some of the tables referenced in the exercise. You can perhaps ask your DBA to spin up a small database for you and import these data into it.
DBeaver is an excellent SQL editor that connects to most databases. It has a free open-source community edition. When installing DBeaver, you can optionally also install the Chinook database as a local SQLite database on your PC. Download from Download DBeaver Community.
Or use the popular VSCode editor with the SQL Server (mssql) extension.
This is a great five minute roadmap for learning SQL.
I have only included here databases that you can use with the Azure SQL database since these are relatively easy to set up. You will need an Azure account, or you can ask your IT Team to set up the database and give you access.
The Chinook database is a small sample database for learning SQL based on an online music store - details here
Microsoft also have published a small database based on a cycle store at AdventureWorks sample databases. Download the lightweight OLTP version of this database.
W3schools have a great SQL reference site with short and straight-forward descriptions at SQL Keywords Reference (w3schools.com) .
They also have a foundation level tutorial SQL Tutorial (w3schools.com)
Microsoft Learn “Get Started Querying with Transact-SQL” Get Started Querying with Transact-SQL - Training | Microsoft Learn. Good course. Free.
Follow up with another Microsoft Learn Course, and videos, Programming Databases with T-SQL for Beginners | Microsoft Learn
Datacamp have many excellent SQL courses. Datacamp is a subscription service, currently about $25 per month but often offer deep discounts. You can sign up for a free account and do the first section of each course and see the outline for the other sections. Learn R, Python & Data Science Online | DataCamp
I would recommend any book by Itzik Ben-Gan. For basics, there is T-SQL Fundamentals Third Edition | Itzik Ben-Gan.
T-SQL Window Functions Second Edition is a short book at an advanced level and very useful.
The SQLBits conference runs about once a year in different cities in the UK. It is very popular, with may talks about data, databases and business intelligence, with a Microsoft flavour. There is a price per day and for the 5 or so days as a whole - it represents incredible value.