SQL is an industry-standard language for accessing mainframe, midrange and LAN-based, multi-user relational databases. This Lab will teach the delegate how to read and write good SQL for querying, updating and maintaining SQL databases. The Lab progresses through the elements of the language to build a thorough appreciation and understanding of SQL's capabilities and power. It covers ANSI-standard SQL and some of the common extensions.

This lab is made up of a mix of theory and practical sessions. You will complete a series of exercises that cover all the important components of the language and allow you to practice your SQL.

Please Note: The Lab will use a Microsoft SQL Server platform and T-SQL to illustrate the use of the SQL language

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this lab you will be able to:

• Describe where the SQL language came from and its set-based mode of operation
• Write SQL statements to create and manipulate database objects and data
• Read SQL effectively
• Write queries to join many related tables
• Use the features of the language to safeguard the data and its value to the user
• Recognize the dangers inherent in the language that may return the right result but would be fatally flawed with different data

Intended Audience

This lab is intended for:

• Anyone wishing to use SQL to access data. This Lab is a common prerequisite for those going on our client/server or database courses.

Prerequisites

You should possess:

• A level of computer literacy is needed.
• Typically delegate skills will include a working familiarity with the Windows graphical environment but no prior knowledge of SQL.
• The most successful students on this Lab are those who can type accurately and consistently, and can cope with 'syntax' as SQL is a syntactically 'fussy' language.
• Typically delegates will have coded in some other language but it is not necessary to have done so to be successful on this Lab as the range of exercises allow students to work at the most appropriate pace for them.

Updates

July 9th, 2020 - Enabled direct browser RDP connection for a streamlined experience

March 12th, 2020 - Included a student guide to provide reference material to aid in completing the exercises and understanding the solutions

January 13th, 2020 - Updated lab to use a newer version of Windows and increased default SSMS output font size for readability