I suppose chatgpt is part of the answer? i'm here representing the no-it-isn't team Answer from r3pr0b8 on reddit.com
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/sql › how to learn sql 2024 in the smartest way?
r/SQL on Reddit: How to learn SQL 2024 in the smartest way?
November 24, 2024 -

I actually nailed the Dbase exam in university 1989, when we also were told ”relational databases are going out”, did know how to optimize databases with BCNF and what not. Then work life did not take me into the world of databases, I was in software but pretty soon went into project leading and managing. Now however doing what’s funny I have started Sw testing again, what rocked my boat in the earlier 90’s. I’m the guy who knows how everythings work using the API’s and GUI’s but I would like to get behind walls of the black box a little learning to examine the databases, what I now ask my buddys the programmers to do.

Some basic knowledge is there, i’ve installed Postgres and like selected my way around a test database.

But then, how to get into the world of joins, stored procedures and what not? What is the smartest way now? I suppose chatgpt is part of the answer?

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Reddit
reddit.com › r/sql › best way to learn sql
r/SQL on Reddit: Best way to learn SQL
March 13, 2023 -

Hi everyone

I would like to start learning SQL and I don't really know where to start. Can someone please describe me your journey on how you became proficient with the tool? I am working as a Product Manager, so some basic skills are definitely needed.

Thanks!

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I will provide you some valuable tips to rapidly learn SQL and become a professional within few months Create your own database and practice on it. Solve SQL puzzles and challenges available online. Participate in online SQL communities and forums. Use online SQL tutorials and courses. Attend SQL workshops and webinars. Practice SQL queries on real-world datasets. Analyze and manipulate data from different sources. Create and use SQL stored procedures and functions. Work on SQL projects and collaborate with other SQL professionals. Follow best practices and guidelines for SQL optimization and performance. To get you started, I will highly recommend you look at these articles. They will guide you through : What you need to know to get started: https://link.medium.com/kz9qL7TtCAb 10 tips you should know: https://link.medium.com/NsrPQF1tCAb SQL query Optimization: https://link.medium.com/LwrtUV7tCAb Sql queries for complex business reports: https://link.medium.com/Cbi6fRbuCAb The power of sql case statement: https://link.medium.com/rY2G7UfuCAb Advanced SQL queries for mysql workbench series: PART 1: https://link.medium.com/Ab6QXnmuCAb PART 2: https://link.medium.com/mMo35opuCAb PART 3: https://link.medium.com/DXVhGKruCAb Understanding SQL inner join with practical examples: https://link.medium.com/8MYnwLtuCAb Unleashing the power of SQL aggregate functions: PART 1: https://link.medium.com/ZKZtBMAuCAb PART 2: https://link.medium.com/xpA0E7DuCAb PART 3: https://link.medium.com/7xKteHFuCAb PART 4: https://link.medium.com/zmMc91IuCAb
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I would start with doing SQL bolt. Then watch either a YouTube series on SQL or do a Udemy course, I personally like Alex the Analyst's series, I recommend just starting with his basic and intermediate series. Whatever database system your company uses watch a couple tutorials on it, if it's something like MySQL or Microsoft SQL server you can set up an instance on your own computer at home and practice using it. Then start doing SQL problems on hackerrank, do them in the database system that you'll be using. Once you're at the point of being able to do all the basic stuff on hackerrank and some of the intermediate I would say you have a good starting grasp on SQL.
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/sql › how do you learn sql
r/SQL on Reddit: How do you learn SQL
July 16, 2024 -

Do you watch hours of tutorials or prefer to have a project and search for how to do the current task in a 2-5 minutes video or text - website.

Would you prefer to find a website where you see the solution ready to use like on stack overflow?

Do you prefer writing the queries from examples but by typing not copying statements?

I ask this because I'm trying to make a learn SQL video series that is watchable and so far the long video 1h talking has viewer skipping like crazy. No memes or entertaining bits every 5 seconds. Plain old desktop recording doing stuff and sharing tips from working almost 20 years with MSSQL. They're not watching it so was thinking of bite-size sql tips instead of long boring videos.

Any feedback is welcomed.

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Reddit
reddit.com › r/sql › how to start learning sql?
r/SQL on Reddit: How to start learning SQL?
April 19, 2024 -

I'm planning to study database but college it's really expensive and I can't see if it is really worth it. So I was wondering if there's any detailed guide or a really good option that doesn't requires college. I don't know anything about programming or languages, and don't know where to start either.I found this guy from freeCodingCamp.org, it looks good but I'm not sure if that's all I'm going to need. Urgent advice required.

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Reddit
reddit.com › r/sql › what are the best sites to learn sql for free?
What are the best sites to learn SQL for free? : r/SQL
May 3, 2024 - You can practice basic-advanced joins and select on Leetcode and HackerRank. That medium acc explains a lot on solving Leetcode problems with patterns and other tips. ... Leetcode, HackerRank. Try solve the problems first and google the functions or methods used to solve those problems. That's ...
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/learnsql › what is the best way of learning sql and databases in general?
r/learnSQL on Reddit: What is the best way of learning SQL and databases in general?
July 16, 2025 -

I am a backend software developer with around 2 years of professional experience. I create and maintain CRUD web apps on a daily basis, so SQL and databases are no strangers to me. I would like, though, to go deeper and learn those topics better. I was thinking of reading the whole MySQL documentation. But I am also considering the SQLite official documentation, as it seems to be written better (they provide well prepared graphics for a lot of concepts, despite the text). What do you think of that approach to learning? Would you recommend that or there are better ways to dive deep?

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Reddit
reddit.com › r/sql › how do i learn sql?
r/SQL on Reddit: How do I learn SQL?
September 22, 2023 -

I have gained a little experience using SQL during Harvard's CS50 but I wanna get a lot better at it. Any advice on courses or programmes I can take in order to get better at it?

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Reddit
reddit.com › r/sql › where to start learning sql?
Where to start learning SQL? : r/SQL
December 14, 2023 - I took an online SQL introduction and intermediate course through DelTech (Delaware Technical Community College). It cost $199 and was worth it plus you get certificates. And you don’t have to live in Delaware to take the classes. The other suggestion is to join Coursera Plus (it’s $39 ...
Find elsewhere
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/dataanalysis › ways of learning sql as a complete beginner
r/dataanalysis on Reddit: Ways of learning SQL as a complete beginner
April 26, 2024 -

I’m currently employed but my company doesn’t use any form of database. I’m having to funnel monthly spreadsheets into 1 fact table on a Sharepoint for each department and then loading all of those into PowerBI. Not great but it’s been a good way of learning PowerQuery and automating the process where possible.

But because there’s no industry standard form of a database here it means I have 0 exposure to SQL, something I would really like to learn asap. Is there a way I can do this (as cheap as possible) where I can learn code, try it and see the results?

I’ve already talked to my company about implementing a proper database and they’ve said they don’t want to pay the costs so I can’t install software that would allow for using SQL.

I know MS Access can use SQL but it’s a very outdated program so I’m hesitant to use it (despite being able to). Could this be a valid method?

I’m seeing lots of courses but can’t figure out a way to test and apply what I’m learning.

Am I better off finding a new job with a company that have these resources or is there a method I’m missing? Apologies if this is a painfully easy question to answer I just find getting started with coding to be the hard part so any advice/direction would be much appreciated (:

Edit: thank you everyone for your comments, lots of resources I’ll definitely be taking a look at! Much appreciated!

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Reddit
reddit.com › r/sql › best resources to learn sql and what should i focus on to get a job?
r/SQL on Reddit: Best resources to learn SQL and what should I focus on to get a job?
September 28, 2023 -

I'm currently learning SQL in my spare time, polishing up on my Excel skills and after SQL, I want to learn PowerBI. I have NO EXPERIENCE in SQL.

Which books, mock test, website, youtube channel would you recommend? I want to learn from basic to expert level no matter how much time it takes?

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You could start with the SQL section of w3schools.com. It's a big picture overview of SQL and it has some pages focused on how to accomplish things specific to different database programs. Get comfortable with that first. The rarely spoken truth is that SQL isn't very hard to pick up. Your value will largely depend on your ability to translate business logic into SQL. Practice. Pick an industry/type of business. It might be best to start with one you're very familiar with on your first run through. Set up your database environment. Securely store all the information required in your set up. Ex: authentication type, administrator account user/pass, database name, etc Gather information on what the business would need to store in a database. Ex: an animal shelter would need a pet table, a kennel/cage table, immunization/medical information table, license/tag table, a table to store people who surrender or adopt .. you get the picture. Make it as detailed as you can, if it's realistic, talk to someone in that line of work, but don't get caught up in making it perfect. 5-10 tables should be enough for the first time around. Design the tables in the database. Pay attention to data types as you go. You'll want to consider the data as it is today, and accommodate for growth. Ex: your table has a field, char(10) as the data type. The data stored is currently 10 characters long. Business needs change, and this field now needs to store 12 characters. Save yourself the headache and start with making it varchar(20) at creation. Also pay attention to keys and how you intend to join tables. I strongly advise putting primary keys on every table and setting them to auto-increment. This gives you a quick out when it comes to duplicate records. Generate data for your tables. Google "data generator" and find the one you like the best. I've used https://generatedata.com/ in the past, it's not terrible but I recall a lot of tweaking to get exactly what I needed. Research. Chances are there's something easier out there. If dropping money on it is not an issue, Regate has a SQL Data Generator for a yearly subscription price of $264. Probably easier to work with. Load your data into the database. Ideally, the data generator provided you with a SQL script that runs a bunch of inserts, one click and done. But it's possible you got a csv or Excel file. Most dbms's come with an import tool of some kind, this the perfect opportunity to learn how to use it. The rest is the fun part. Conjure up potential business scenarios your business might encounter. In the animal shelter example, a couple things might happen: animal adoption, animal surrender, kennel change, new license/tag, etc. Consider what would be most important if you needed to report on these situations, put some queries together, maybe create some views. When you're pretty comfortable with that, start looking into how you'd update data. An animal surrender wouldn't just be entering into the pet table, you'd also want to store the person who surrendered the animal and assign them a kennel. Also: retaining historical data for record changes is a valid business requirement. If it didn't come up in your original design, figuring out how to implement it is good practice. Sorry so long, but it should get you started and introduce you to some situations you're going to encounter later on. Lots of luck!
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W3 schools is a great resource and it is free so you can explore all you want before focusing on ay flavor of SQL.
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/sql › unemployed. need free resources to learn sql
r/SQL on Reddit: Unemployed. Need free resources to learn SQL
June 19, 2024 -

Hi all. I'm recently unemployed and mostly savvy with Excel. What are some free resources that offer some structured learning. Is there anything like Khan Academy for SQL that is free? Really wanting to enroll in a degree program eventually, but what are good resources to start with for the time being?

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r/learnSQL https://cs50.harvard.edu/sql/2024/ a structured way of learning SQL and it's free. Only the certificate costs money. If you want to challenge yourself also free is https://www.edx.org/bio/jennifer-widom Do all the courses starting with This one , it is not easy but rewarding. Also before starting either CS50 or Widom consider https://selectstarsql.com/ and https://sqlbolt.com/ first. And if either CS50 or Widom's courses still seem very challenging I want you to go through this https://www.pg4e.com/ . It will teach a lot of practical hands on use of databases vs just exercises. All of this helps with repetition. Trust me I know, I'm unemployed right now too and I did a few courses (that repeated material) and then interview problems which boosted my mastery with SQL. Once you've done either CS50 or Widom I want you to go through https://datalemur.com/blog/sql-interview-guide and https://datalemur.com/sql-tutorial . Again this is all about repetition and saying the same material presented in different ways. Once you finish with the Data Lemur advanced section https://www.windowfunctions.com/ go through that site and everything you have to look up, look up on Youtube some short video on each section. https://downloads.yugabyte.com/marketing-assets/O-Reilly-SQL-Cookbook-2nd-Edition-Final.pdf grab a copy of that (yes this is legal, it's provided by a company) And go through it. https://pgexercises.com/ eventually get to a point where you can do all the exercises here with minimally looking things up. Once you can do everything on PGExcercises get on DataLemur and do the SQL practice interview problems. All of this should have cost you a grand total of $0.
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Here are some websites : SQLZoo - https://sqlzoo.net/wiki/SQL_Tutorial SQLBolt - https://sqlbolt.com/ MySQLTutorial - https://www.mysqltutorial.org/ SQLServerTutorial - https://www.sqlservertutorial.net/ SQLiteTutorial - https://www.sqlitetutorial.net/ SQLPractice - https://www.sql-practice.com/ LearnSQLOnline - https://www.learnsqlonline.org/
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/learnsql › what are the best websites or apps to learn sql as a complete beginner?
r/learnSQL on Reddit: What are the best websites or apps to learn SQL as a complete beginner?
July 9, 2025 -

Hey everyone! 👋

I’m just starting to learn SQL and I’m looking for some solid websites or apps that are beginner-friendly. Ideally, I’d like something interactive or hands-on rather than just reading theory. I’m not aiming to become a full-on data engineer—just want to get comfortable writing queries, understanding databases, and maybe do some small projects.

Any recommendations for platforms (free or paid) that helped you when you were starting out? Bonus points if they have exercises or real-world examples!

Thanks in advance! 🙌

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Reddit
reddit.com › r/dataengineering › how and where did you learn sql from and become good at it?
r/dataengineering on Reddit: How and where did you learn SQL from and become good at it?
November 12, 2021 -

I want to learn and become really good at SQL (and Python too!).

This sub seems to have both DEs and SWEs. Could I get some guidance on how and from where I should learn SQL and Python to become a skilled and competent engineer?

Thank you everyone

Edit: I forgot to mention this. Most tutorials and courses seem to focus on the querying part of SQL. Where and how do I learn to design, structure and create Data and databases?

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Reddit
reddit.com › r/learnsql › just starting to learn sql (postgresql & ms sql) - any beginner course recommendations?
r/learnSQL on Reddit: Just starting to learn SQL (PostgreSQL & MS SQL) - any beginner course recommendations?
January 5, 2026 -

Hi everyone,

I’m just beginning my journey into SQL and plan to focus on both PostgreSQL and Microsoft SQL Server. My long-term goal is to become a DevOps engineer, and I understand that having a solid grasp of databases is important—even if I won’t be a DBA.

I’d really appreciate recommendations for beginner-friendly courses, tutorials, or learning paths that balance fundamentals with practical, real-world usage. Free resources are great, but I’m also open to paid ones if they’re worth it.

Thanks in advance for your advice!

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Reddit
reddit.com › r/sql › [deleted by user]
BEST SQL COURSE??
May 21, 2024 - Thanks! ... LearnSQL.com Their "SQL Basics" course (https://learnsql.com/course/sql-queries/) is the best. It is 10 hours, perfect to do on the weekend. It covers the complete basics, like SELECT, WHERE, ORDER BY, GROUP BY, but also intermediate topics like UNION, or subqueries.