Introduction to SQL Programming

Learn how to use the Structured Query Language

Structured Query Language (SQL) is the standard programming language used to communicate with relational databases. In today’s data-driven world, organizations rely on SQL to store, manage, retrieve, and analyze information that supports daily operations and strategic decision-making. From tracking customers and sales to generating financial and operational reports, SQL is an essential skill across industries.

Gain a practical introduction to SQL programming and relational database concepts through hands-on learning. The curriculum covers how databases are structured and how data is organized into tables with defined relationships. Participants will write and execute SQL commands to retrieve and manipulate data, create database objects, define data types, insert and modify records, and generate datasets suitable for reporting.

Real-world application is a core focus, with learners setting up their own database server and working directly with database objects. This approach builds confidence in querying data and generating meaningful reports that support business needs.

Designed for aspiring data analysts, business professionals, IT personnel, and software developers, this training also benefits anyone working with data who wants to better understand how information is stored, accessed, and analyzed within database systems. No prior database programming experience is required.

Course Highlights:

• What is a database?
• Installing database software on my desktop
• My first query. Using the SELECT statement to pull data
• Filtering data. The multiple features of the WHERE clause
• Manipulating data. Using SQL functions to change how data is displayed in your datasets
• Combining data. Using JOIN statements to combine multiple tables and objects into a single dataset
• Summarizing data. Using aggregation functions to average, summarize and count multiple records
• Conditional logic. Using the CASE statement to set criteria for how, or whether data is displayed
• Manipulating table data. Change what data is stored using INSERT, UPDATE and DELETE statements
• Create new tables and databases using CREATE, ALTER, and DROP statements
• Build reusable code in views, stored procedures and user defined functions
• Practice writing dozens of SQL statements, and build queries for reporting on information in a database

Course Learning Outcomes:

• Build simple and complex SELECT statements that pull data from a database
• Build joins to combine data from multiple tables
• Use WHERE clause filtering techniques to restrict the type and amount of data returned
• Apply SQL functions to manipulate how data is displayed
• Aggregate and summarize data
• Leverage conditional logic such as CASE statements
• Explain relational database concepts, including table relationships, primary keys, foreign keys, and data integrity
• Build database tables, define column data types, and insert, update, and delete table rows
• Construct build views, stored procedures, and user function objects that make SQL scripts reusable 
• Translate business questions into effective SQL queries that support decision-making

Course typically offered: Online, quarterly.

Prerequisites: 

• Familiarity with database concepts, including basic database management and design, or prior experience using Microsoft Access.
• Ability to download, install, and configure a SQL Server environment on a Windows-based computer.
• Foundational programming knowledge as covered in our course CSE-40028 Introduction to Programming. 

Software: This course will use Microsoft SQL Server and Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS). SQL Server will run natively on Windows and Linux. You can also run a SQL Server container image with Docker.

Next Steps: Upon completion of this course, consider taking other courses in the Business Intelligence Analysis or Database Management certificate programs to continue learning.

More Information: For more information about this course, please email unex-techdata@ucsd.edu.