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Introduction to SQL

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BeginnerCourse

This course introduces the fundamentals of Structured Query Language (SQL) and provides practical experience with real-world databases and tools to perform CRUD operations and manipulate data.

Language

  • English

Topic

  • Database

Skills You Will Learn

  • SQL, Update And Delete, Create, Read, Data Analysis, Relational Databases

Offered By

  • IBMSkillsNetwork

Estimated Effort

  • 21 Hours

Platform

  • edX

Last Update

  • May 30, 2025
About this Course
Much of the world's data lives in databases. SQL (or Structured Query Language) is a powerful programming language that is used for communicating with and manipulating data in databases. A working knowledge of databases and SQL is necessary for anyone who wants to start a career in Data Engineering, Data Analytics or Data Science.


The purpose of this course is to introduce relational database (RDBMS) concepts and help you learn and apply foundational and intermediate knowledge of the SQL language. You will start with performing basic Create, Read, Update and Delete (CRUD) operations using CREATE, SELECT, INSERT, UPDATE and DELETE statements. You will then learn to filter, order, sort, and aggregate data. You will also work with functions, perform sub-selects and nested queries, as well as access multiple tables in the database.


The emphasis in this course is on hands-on, practical learning. As such, you will work with real database systems, use real tools, and real-world datasets. You will create a database instance in the cloud. Through a series of hands-on labs, you will practice building and running SQL queries. At the end of the course you will apply and demonstrate your skills with a final project.


The SQL skills you learn in this course will be applicable to a variety of RDBMSes such as MySQL, PostgreSQL, IBM Db2, Oracle, SQL Server and others. No prior knowledge of databases, SQL or programming is required, however some basic data literacy is beneficial.

Instructors

Rav Ahuja

Global Program Director, IBM Skills Network

Rav Ahuja is a Global Program Director at IBM. He leads growth strategy, curriculum creation, and partner programs for the IBM Skills Network. Rav co-founded Cognitive Class, an IBM led initiative to democratize skills for in demand technologies. He is based out of the IBM Canada Lab in Toronto and specializes in instructional solutions for AI, Data, Software Engineering and Cloud. Rav presents at events worldwide and has authored numerous papers, articles, books and courses on subjects in managing and analyzing data. Rav holds B. Eng. from McGill University and MBA from University of Western Ontario.

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