Introduction to Writing SQL Queries (TTSQL003)

Course Objectives

Learning Objectives

This course combines expert lecture, real-world demonstrations and group discussions with machine-based practical labs and exercises.  Working in a hands-on learning environment led by our expert practitioner, you’ll learn to:

• Maximize the potential of SQL to build powerful, complex and robust SQL queries
• Query multiple tables with inner joins, outer joins and self joins
• Learn the art of data conversion and manipulation:
• Delve into SQL joins, group functions, and subqueries: Construct recursive common table expressions
• Summarize data using aggregation and grouping
• Execute analytic functions to calculate ranks
• Build simple and correlated subqueries
• Thoroughly test SQL queries to avoid common errors
• Select the most efficient solution to complex SQL problems

Course Prerequisites

Audience & Pre-Requisites

This is an introductory- level course appropriate for those who are developing applications using relational databases, or who are using SQL to extract and analyze data from databases and need to use the full power of SQL queries. In order to benefit from the hands-on labs, attendees should have prior experience in scripting or programming languages.

Related Courses | SQL Training Suite

• TTSQL002:     Introduction to SQL Programming Basics – 3 days
• TTSQL003:     Writing SQL Queries – 3 days
• TTSQL005:     Advanced SQL – 2 days

Course Agenda

Please note that this list of topics is based on our standard course offering, evolved from typical industry uses and trends. We’ll work with you to tune this course and level of coverage to target the skills you need most. Topics, agenda and labs are subject to change, and may adjust during live delivery based on audience needs, participation and skill-level.

1. Introduction: Quick Tools Review

• Introduction to SQL and its development environments
• Using SQL*PLUS
• Using SQL Developer

2. Using the SQL SELECT Statement

• Capabilities of the SELECT statement
• Arithmetic expressions and NULL values in the SELECT statement
• Column aliases
• Use of concatenation operator, literal character strings, alternative quote operator, and the DISTINCT keyword
• Use of the DESCRIBE command

3. Restricting and Sorting Data

• Limiting the Rows
• Rules of precedence for operators in an expression
• Substitution Variables
• Using the DEFINE and VERIFY command

4. Single-Row Functions

• Describe the differences between single row and multiple row functions
• Manipulate strings with character function in the SELECT and WHERE clauses
• Manipulate numbers with the ROUND, TRUNC and MOD functions
• Perform arithmetic with date data
• Manipulate dates with the date functions

5. Conversion Functions and Expressions

• Describe implicit and explicit data type conversion
• Use the TO_CHAR, TO_NUMBER, and TO_DATE conversion functions
• Nest multiple functions
• Apply the NVL, NULLIF, and COALESCE functions to data
• Decode/Case Statements

6. Using the Group Functions and Aggregated Data

• Group Functions
• Creating Groups of Data
• Having Clause
• Cube/Rollup Clause

7. SQL Joins and Join Types

• Introduction to JOINS
• Types of Joins
• Natural join
• Self-join
• Non equijoins
• OUTER join

8. Using Subqueries

• Introduction to Subqueries
• Single Row Subqueries
• Multiple Row Subqueries

OPTIONAL / TIME-PERMITTING

The following chapters are included in your course materials, and will be covered time-permitting, depending on the skill level and interests of the attendees.

9. Using the SET Operators

• Set Operators
• UNION and UNION ALL operator
• INTERSECT operator
• MINUS operator
• Matching the SELECT statements

10. Using Data Manipulation Language (DML) statements

• Data Manipulation Language
• Database Transactions
• Insert
• Update
• Delete
• Merge

11. Using Data Definition Language (DDL)

• Data Definition Language
• Create
• Alter
• Drop

12. Data Dictionary Views

• Introduction to Data Dictionary
• Describe the Data Dictionary Structure
• Using the Data Dictionary views
• Querying the Data Dictionary Views
• Dynamic Performance Views

Course Materials

Setup Made Simple! Learning Experience Platform (LXP) 

All applicable course software, digital courseware files or course notes, labs, data sets and solutions, live coaching support channels and rich extended learning and post training resources are provided for you in our “easy access, no install required” online Learning Experience Platform (LXP), remote lab and content environment. Access periods vary by course. We’ll collaborate with you to ensure your team is set up and ready to go well in advance of the class. Please inquire about set up details and options for your specific course of interest.