Introduction to SQL and Microsoft SQL Server
This course is FREE if a) you live in London and your job is at risk of redundancy or b) you are either on Jobseekers' Allowance (JSA) or Employment & Support Allowance(ESA) or c) you receive other state benefits (including Universal Credit) and your monthly take home pay is less than £343. For more information click here
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.
Course Code: CMSQL03
Duration: 4 sessions (over 5 weeks)
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Center for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
What is the course about?
Using the free version of Microsoft SQL Server, one of the top 3 Relational Database Management Systems used by 98 of the Fortune 100 companies we will cover all the necessary skills to build, maintain and interrogate a relational database system.
This is a live online course. You will need:
- Internet connection. The classes work best with Chrome.
- A computer with microphone and camera.
- Earphones/headphones/speakers.
We will contact you with joining instructions before your course starts.
What will we cover?
The fundamental building block of a relational database is the table. We will use SQL to produce a series of tables and link them to build an efficient storage system for our data that avoids data duplication and redundancy. We will also learn how to maintain data once stored in our database using the Data Manipulation Language components of SQL.
Finally, we will learn how to interrogate our database, an activity central to nearly all organisations, to carry out mission critical tasks such as inventory management, order processing, tracking and booking amongst many others. We also need these skill to for the business intelligence process, data science and analysis.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
• Define key terminology and concepts related to all RDBMS
• Use the Data Definition Language commands in SQL to create a series of linked database tables that can store data of various data types
• Use the Data Manipulation Language commands in SQL to add, update and delete data stored across related tables
• Use the Data Query Language commands in SQL to interrogate our data, including using:-
• Join operations
• Logical and comparison operations
• Fuzzy Search
• The Null operator
• Date functions
• Created aliases and calculated fields with the data in our tables
• Format currency and dates.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
Though the course does not require any previous knowledge of SQL or Relational Database Management Systems it is quite fast paced and you will not only need good computing skills and a high level of typing accuracy, but would also benefit from having some experience in coding, (it doesn’t matter which language), such as having attended one of our many Python or HTML and CSS courses. If you haven’t coded before you might consider our Beginner's Guide to SQL course first as an introduction to the topic.
You should also be able to follow spoken instructions, read written instructions and information, and discuss work with your tutor in English.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
There will be some theoretical underpinning to the course, but it is nearly all practical, through tutor demonstration and practical programming and problem solving activities. There is no official work set outside the class but it is a good idea to practise the skills you have learnt to reinforce classroom learning.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
There are no additional costs. Please note that Microsoft SQL Server runs on Windows only; you will need access to a computer that can run it during the course.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
You might be interested in learning a programming language such as Python, R, Java, C++ or C.
Rich is a programmer, writer and educator with a particular interest in creative practice. In his previous career he worked as a software developer in the CIty, first at a dot-com startup and later at a top-tier investment bank where he worked mostly on trading floor systems and got to play with a wide range of languages and technologies. He now teaches coding and maths-related courses full time. Besides his work at City Lit he also teaches at Central Saint Martins, the Architecture Association and the Photographer's Gallery and is the author of two books about mathematics. His technical collaborations with artists have been shown at, among others, the Hayward gallery, the V&A, the ICA and Camden Arts Centre. He has a BSc in Mathematics from the Open University. He also has a BA in English Literature and a PhD in philosophy (both from Cardiff). He continues to teach a little philosophy and literature, especially as they intersect with his other interests, and as a partner in Minimum Labyrinth he has brought these ideas to wider audiences in collaboration with the Museum of London, the Barbican and various private sponsors.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.