Top 5 SQL Courses for Beginners to Learn Database or Data Analysis in 2023
In the year 2023, the significance of Structured Query Language (SQL) continues its upward trajectory across a multitude of industries. Consequently, the demand for high-quality SQL education has reached unprecedented heights.
For those embarking on a journey as data-driven professionals with aspirations of becoming database administrators, data analysts, data scientists, data engineers, and more, a robust command of SQL is an indispensable asset. To truly harness your potential within the market, it’s prudent to contemplate enrolling in an SQL online course that culminates in a certificate.
To guide you toward the optimal route, we’ve meticulously curated a selection of the top five SQL courses tailored for beginners in the year 2023. These courses have been thoughtfully crafted to furnish you with the requisite proficiencies and insights for proficiently navigating databases, extracting valuable insights, and initiating your data-focused pursuits with a poised sense of assurance.
Why should you learn SQL today?
SQL stands as a potent language that enterprises worldwide employ to efficiently interact with and manipulate data stored within databases.
For those eyeing a technology-centric role centered around data, particularly if your focus aligns with relational databases, delving into SQL programming offers an array of compelling advantages for managing SQL databases.
Database Mastery: The foundational skills of creating, reading, updating, and deleting data, collectively known as CRUD operations, are pivotal for any data professional. SQL facilitates these actions with swiftness and precision.
Insightful Analysis: Constructing and executing both straightforward and intricate queries unveils valuable insights and trends. Unearth customer preferences and purchasing patterns to fine-tune your marketing strategies, for instance.
Transferrable Proficiency: Proficiency in SQL can serve as an invaluable stepping stone for mastering the manipulation of NoSQL databases, a domain that’s witnessing a surge in popularity.
Pathways to Success: Engaging in an online SQL Bootcamp or participating in SQL programming courses furnishes you with technical know-how in database design and the optimization of queries through SQL. These proficiencies broaden the spectrum of roles accessible to you, spanning data science, analytics, software engineering, web development, and beyond.
Top 5 Best Entry-level SQL Courses in 2023
1. Learn SQL by Codeacademy
Looking to swiftly grasp the fundamentals of SQL and database management? Look no further than the “Learn SQL” online course. This course is thoughtfully crafted to provide a comprehensive understanding, employing professional-level database examples, including the Startup Trends databases, to delve into real-world business challenges encountered by companies today. The meticulously designed exercises and problem-solving tasks serve as invaluable aids, enhancing students’ comprehension of the foundational concepts.
- Prerequisites: None
- Instructor: Codeacademy
- Level: Beginner
- Free or Paid: Free Audit option & Paid option
- Certificate: Yes with the Paid option
- Duration: 8 hours (self-paced video content)
2. SQL from A to Z by LearnSQL
Our selection of LearnSQL is grounded in their exceptional dedication to cultivating a practical learning journey tailored for newcomers. Their comprehensive program spans an entire track comprising seven courses, meticulously designed to accommodate individuals with no prior exposure to the IT sector. As you embark on this educational journey, you’ll progressively immerse yourself in both fundamental and advanced facets of SQL. The curriculum prominently centers around databases and the art of data analysis.
Upon successfully completing the immersive interactive courses, the LearnSQL platform extends SQL certificates as a testament to your accomplishment. This comprehensive course track extends beyond the instructional modules, encompassing a wealth of additional resources. These include a robust repository of references, fostering a community of fellow learners for mutual support, personalized mentoring, and readily available technical assistance to ensure a seamless learning experience.
- Prerequisites: None
- Instructor: LearnSQL
- Level: Beginner
- Free or Paid: Paid
- Certificate: Yes
- Duration: 84 hours (text content and assignments)
3. SQL for Data Science on Coursera
Ready to start with SQL basics? This is one of the best SQL courses online for beginners. The curriculum assumes zero SQL knowledge and is primarily a data science specialization that helps you start with SQL for data science.
You’ll go through different functions specific to a data scientist’s daily workflow, including data retrieval, filtering, sorting, joins, and other things necessary to rummage around unprocessed raw data.
- Prerequisites: None
- Instructor: Sadie St. Lawrence
- Level: Beginner
- Free or Paid: Paid
- Certificate: Yes
- Duration: 14 hours (video content)
4. The Ultimate MySQL Bootcamp: Go from SQL Beginner to Expert by Udemy
The MySQL Bootcamp course emerges as an ideal choice for individuals starting from scratch in the realm of databases. Remarkably, no prior database knowledge is required – programming experience, while not obligatory, could certainly provide an advantage!
Unveiling itself as one of the most all-encompassing online SQL courses available, this program immerses you in the world of MySQL. It commences with the foundation of creating intricate databases and acquaints you with the essentials of SQL syntax for inputs and outputs. The course also delves into the intricacies of data analysis through aggregate functions. Notably, you’ll develop proficiency in generating comprehensive reports, leveraging sales data as a prime example.
Enrolling in this course heralds a journey toward mastering MySQL. Expect to model real-world data, fostering the ability to craft reports using SQL queries. Navigating through the course, you’ll also gain competence in table manipulation to unearth insightful data through intricate queries and the mastery of complex joins. The MySQL Bootcamp is your gateway to a realm of comprehensive knowledge and hands-on skills.
- Prerequisites: None
- Instructor: Colt Steele
- Level: Beginner
- Free or Paid: Paid
- Certificate: Yes
- Duration: 36.5 hours (self-paced video content)
5. The Complete SQL Bootcamp: Go from Zero to Hero by Udemy
Positioned not only as arguably the finest SQL course available on Udemy but also as one of the premier SQL training programs, this course serves as an exceptional platform for acquiring SQL and PostgreSQL expertise. Dive into the art of crafting queries and delving into data analysis, all within an immersive learning experience.
One of the course’s standout attributes is its adeptness at teaching you to decipher complex database queries with ease. The curriculum empowers you to both comprehend and construct intricate queries, cultivating a profound understanding of SQL intricacies. This course is more than just education; it’s a gateway to honing a remarkable skill set in SQL and PostgreSQL, enriching your analytical capabilities, and amplifying your database prowess.
- Prerequisites: None
- Instructor: Jose Portilla
- Level: Beginner
- Free or Paid: Paid
- Certificate: Yes
- Duration: 9 hours (self-paced video content)
How long does it take to learn SQL?
Learning SQL can be a relatively swift process. The fundamentals of SQL can be grasped in as short a timeframe as two to three weeks. However, it’s worth noting that while SQL is not inherently challenging to comprehend, achieving a level of comfort and proficiency might necessitate several months of dedicated practice.
The duration required to master SQL is also influenced by the specific application you have in mind. Your intended usage of SQL—whether for simple querying or more complex database management—will play a role in determining the extent of your learning journey.
Can I learn SQL without coding?
Absolutely, you can absolutely learn SQL without prior coding experience. In fact, SQL serves as an excellent entry point into the world of programming due to its relatively straightforward syntax and purpose. Engaging in activities such as watching YouTube tutorials and enrolling in online courses are fantastic avenues to effectively grasp SQL concepts and techniques. These resources are designed to cater to beginners, ensuring a smooth learning curve regardless of your coding background.
Is SQL easier than Python programming language?
Yes, SQL is generally considered easier to learn than Python. SQL has a straightforward and specific syntax designed primarily for communicating with relational databases. Its purpose is centered around managing and querying data in a structured manner.
On the other hand, Python is a general-purpose programming language with a more extensive syntax and a wider range of applications beyond database management. While Python offers great versatility and power, its broader scope can make it appear more complex to beginners in comparison to the focused nature of SQL.