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hands-on lab

Run Your First SQL Queries

Difficulty: Beginner
Duration: Up to 1 hour
Students: 7,861
Rating: 4.3/5
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Description

Structured Query Language (SQL) is a standard language for storing, manipulating, and retrieving data in databases. SQL lends itself well to intuitive and clearly-defined databases, because it uses a system to create relationships among its data sets that is relatively easy to get started with. Companies use SQL when they have a need to store, update, and serve data with clearly-defined relationships or using mature, proven technology.

In this Lab, you will practice the basics of SQL by connecting to a Microsoft SQL Server instance and then creating, managing, and viewing data using a combination of user interface tools and SQL queries.

Keep in mind that if you end the session (or it terminates due to timeout) all your progress will be lost.

Lab Objectives

Upon completion of this Lab you will be able to:

  • Understand the principles of SQL
  • Navigate within Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS)
  • Create databases, tables, and rows using SQL syntax
  • Insert and view data in tables

Intended Audience

This Lab is intended for:

  • Prospective developers, data scientists, and database engineers
  • Anyone who needs the ability to store, edit, and view data
  • Anyone interested in full-stack, backend, or website development

Prerequisites

You should be familiar with:

  • Familiarity with the Azure Portal is helpful but not required
  • A basic understanding of SQL is helpful but not required

Updates

April 21st, 2023 - Upgraded the VCF to enhance the user experience

April 12th, 2021 - Moved validation checks to the most relevant Lab step for more immediate validation feedback

January 25th, 2021 - Upgrade underlying instance size for better performance

August 24th, 2020 - Updated the Lab to use in-browser Remote Desktop to streamline the lab experience

March 13th, 2020 - Updated the Lab's SQL license and validation steps

October 14th, 2019 - Resolved an issue that caused the Lab's validation to fail to accurately assess the Lab

 

Hands-on Lab UUID

Lab steps

Connecting to a SQL Server Instance
Inserting and Querying Data in Microsoft SQL Server

Lab Rules