Description
This course introduces the most popular database query language, Structured Query Language (SQL). The ANSI syntax for SQL is illustrated through examples. Oracle and SQL Server extensions are also discussed. The basics of querying, modifying, and adding data are practiced through activities.

Audience
Application developers, business managers, and users who need to develop SQL statements.

Prerequisites
Familiarity with basic operating system commands is required.

Hardware and Software
Either Oracle8 or Microsoft SQL Server 7 is recommended. Personal Oracle or Sybase SQL Anywhere can also be used.

Format

• Presentation
  
• Hands-on
  
• Written Exercises
  

Objectives
After completing this course, participants should be able to:

• Describe the history and use of SQL
• Query selected data
• Format result sets
• Evaluate queried data using functions and expressions
• Join data from multiple tables
• Develop queries to answer business questions
• Insert, update, and delete data

Introduction to SQL

• The relational model
• Why SQL?
• Queries and results
• Inputting SQL commands
• The Cars database example

Single Table Queries

• Projecting data with SELECT
  • Writing queries with SELECT
  • Selecting distinct data
  • Modifying results with expressions
  • Controlling column headings
  • Incorporating functions
  • Working with NULL data
  • Grouping related rows
  • Using COMPUTE
• Restricting data with SELECT
  • Comparing expressions
  • Comparisons with NULL data
  • Comparisons with LIKE, BETWEEN, and IN
  • Conjunctive operators
  • Restricting aggregate result sets with HAVING
• Sorting results with ORDER BY

Multiple Table Queries

• Joining data
  • Joining data from multiple tables
  • Using table aliases
  • Join examples
• Advanced joins and multiple-table operations
  • Self-join statements
  • Outer joins
  • Set operations
  • Subqueries

Modifying Data

• The INSERT statement
• Using SELECT INTO in SQL Server
• The DELETE statement
• The UPDATE statement