SQL Querying: Fundamentals

Course Description

Overview:

Many organizations use databases to store their most critical information: the information that manages their day-to-day operations. After the data is stored in databases, however, it is useless unless you can retrieve it for further business analysis. One example of a database management system is Microsoft SQL Server 2012. The language you use to retrieve information from SQL Server 2012 databases is the Structured Query Language (SQL). This course, SQL Querying: Fundamentals, will teach you to use SQL as a tool to retrieve the information you need from databases.

Course Objectives:

In this course, you will compose SQL queries to retrieve desired information from a database.

You will:

Connect to the SQL Server database and execute a simple query.
Include a search condition in a simple query.
Use various functions to perform calculations on data.
Organize the data obtained from a query before it is displayed on-screen.
Retrieve data from multiple tables.
Export the results of a query.

Target Student:

This course is intended for individuals with basic computer skills, familiar with concepts related to database structure and terminology, and who want to use SQL to query databases.

Prerequisites:

Basic end-user computer skills and some familiarity with database terminology and structure are required. Completion of one of the following Logical Operations courses or equivalent knowledge and skill are highly recommended:

Using Microsoft® Windows® 8.1
Microsoft® Windows® 8 Transition from Windows® 7

Course-specific Technical Requirements

Hardware

For this course, you will need one computer for each student and one for the instructor. Each computer will need the following minimum hardware configurations:

1 GHz or faster 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor
1 gigabyte (GB) RAM (32-bit) or 2 GB RAM (64-bit)
16 GB available hard disk space (32-bit) or 20 GB (64-bit)
CD-ROM drive
Keyboard and mouse (or other pointing device)
1024 x 768 resolution monitor recommended
Network cards and cabling for local network access
Internet access (contact your local network administrator)
Printer (optional) or an installed printer driver
Projection system to display the instructor's computer screen

Software

Microsoft® Windows® 8
Microsoft® SQL Server® 2012 Express Edition with Service Pack 1
Microsoft® Silverlight®

Course Content

Lesson 1: Executing a Simple Query

Topic A: Connect to the SQL Database

Topic B: Query a Database

Topic C: Save a Query

Topic D: Modify and Execute a Saved Query

Lesson 2: Performing a Conditional Search

Topic A: Search Using One or More Conditions

Topic B: Search for a Range of Values and NULL Values

Topic C: Search Data Based on Patterns

Lesson 3: Working with Functions

Topic A: Perform Date Calculations

Topic B: Calculate Data Using Aggregate Functions

Topic C: Manipulate String Values

Lesson 4: Organizing Data

Topic A: Sort Data

Topic B: Rank Data

Topic C: Group Data

Topic D: Filter Grouped Data

Topic E: Summarize Grouped Data

Topic F: Use PIVOT and UNPIVOT Operators

Lesson 5: Retrieving Data from Multiple Tables

Topic A: Combine the Results of Two Queries

Topic B: Compare the Results of Two Queries

Topic C: Retrieve Data by Joining Tables

Lesson 6: Exporting Query Results

Topic A: Generate a Text File

Topic B: Generate an XML File