Overview
This course will provide you with the basic knowledge and skills to create queries using Transact-SQL. It will teach you how to select, filter and sort data from multiple tables and how to use views and stored procedures.
Target Audience:
IT Professionals who will be writing queries for use with Microsoft SQL Server 2005, 2008, 2012, 2014 and 2016. Non-technical ‘power users’ will also benefit from the course if they are comfortable using sophisticated software tools like SQL Server Management Studio.
The course is aimed at both non-technical ‘power users’ and IT Professionals who will be writing queries for use with Microsoft SQL Server.
Please note – Delegates attending an Extended Classroom delivery will need access to a second monitor.
Outline
Module 1: Introduction to T-SQL
This module provides essential background information on Relational Database Management Systems and Microsoft SQL Server and introduces the main tool that will be used throughout the course – SQL Server Management Studio.
Lab :
- Familiarize yourself with SSMS
- Introduction to the Query Editor
Module 2: Retrieving Data
This module describes the fundamental part of a T-SQL query: the SELECT statement.
Lab :
- Basic Select statements
- Using expressions in Select lists
Module 3: Filtering Rows
This module describes how you can filter unwanted data out of your results using the WHERE clause.
Lab :
- Basic equality filters
- Basic comparisons
- Logical comparisons
- String comparisons
- NULL comparisons
Module 4: Sorting returned rows
This module describes how to use the ORDER BY clause of a query to manage the order in which rows are returned.
Lab :
- Basic sorting
- Sorting on expressions
- Unique rows
- Limiting results
Module 5: Grouping and Aggregating data
This module describes how to use the aggregate functions of SQL to calculate results for a number of records at a time and how to group results into a series of values. Finally, it describes how to filter the grouped values.
Lab :
- Single aggregates
- GROUP BY
- HAVING
Module 6: Using multiple tables
This module describes how to use JOIN clauses to retrieve data from multiple tables. It also covers the UNION, INTERSECT and EXCEPT keywords
Lab :
- Inner joins
- Outer joins
- Unions
Module 7: Using Views and Stored Procedures
This module provides an introduction to the benefits of using pre-written queries which have been stored in the database.
Lab :
- Using views
- Using stored procedures
Module 8: Common Functions
This module introduces you to some of the basic text, date and null-value manipulation functions that are built in to SQL Server.
Lab :
- Text functions
- Date functions
- NULL functions
- Formatting dates
Appendix : Modifying Data
If time allows and if enough delegates express an interest in the topic, this module gives a brief introduction to INSERT, UPDATE and DELETE statements.
Prerequisites
- There are no technical pre-requisites for this course and it assumes no prior knowledge of SQL Server.