Querying Microsoft SQL Server with Transact-SQL

Querying Microsoft SQL Server with Transact-SQL - 3 days Online Classroom

Build a strong foundation in Microsoft SQL Server and Transact-SQL (T-SQL) with this hands-on, instructor-led course. Learn how to write effective queries, retrieve and manipulate data, work with multiple tables, and apply built-in SQL functions to solve real business challenges. Through practical exercises in SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS), you'll gain the confidence to query, manage, and maintain SQL Server databases for reporting, application development, and data analysis.

Key Features

• Course and material in english
• Beginner - Intermediate level
• 3 days of live instructor-led virtual training (8 hours / day)
• Interactive hands-on live labs
• Live lab exercises for applied learning
• 40+ recommended study hours
• Certificate included

Learning Outcomes

• Relational database fundamentals: Build a solid understanding of relational database concepts, including tables, indexes, primary and foreign keys, and constraints. Learn how these components work together to organise data, maintain integrity, and improve database performance.
• Writing effective SQL queries: Master the SELECT statement to retrieve and organise data efficiently. You'll use ORDER BY, column aliases, and expressions to create clear, accurate, and easy-to-maintain SQL queries.
• Grouping and analysing data: Learn to summarise data using GROUP BY and aggregate functions such as COUNT, SUM, and AVG. You'll also use the HAVING clause to filter grouped results and generate meaningful business insights.
• Using SQL functions and expressions: Enhance your queries with SQL Server's built-in numeric, string, and date functions. Apply CASE expressions and NULL handling techniques to transform, format, and present data more effectively.

Target Audience

• SQL developers and aspiring database developers
• Data analysts and business intelligence professionals
• Software developers working with Microsoft SQL Server
• Database administrators (DBAs) seeking stronger T-SQL skills
• Business analysts who need to retrieve and analyse business data
• IT professionals and beginners looking to build practical SQL querying skills

Prerequisites

There are no formal prerequisites for this course, making it suitable for beginners. However, a basic understanding of databases, tables, and common database terminology will help you get the most from the training. Familiarity with Windows applications is also recommended

Course Outline

Day 1: SQL Fundamentals and Querying

• Understand relational database concepts, schemas, tables, keys, indexes, and data types.
• Navigate and execute queries using SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS).
• Write SELECT queries with filtering, sorting, and column aliases.
• Apply DISTINCT, logical operators, TOP, and OFFSET-FETCH.
• Combine query results using UNION, INTERSECT, EXCEPT, and APPLY.
• Summarise data with aggregate functions, GROUP BY, ROLLUP, and HAVING.

Day 2: Working with Multiple Tables and Functions

• Retrieve data using INNER, OUTER, CROSS, and SELF joins.
• Simplify complex queries with table aliases.
• Use built-in numeric and character functions.
• Work with SQL Server date and time data types.
• Format dates, extract date components, and perform date calculations.
• Apply SQL functions to clean, transform, and present data effectively.

Day 3: Advanced Queries and Data Management

• Convert between data types and handle NULL values.
• Apply CASE expressions for conditional logic.
• Create standalone and correlated subqueries using EXISTS.
• Insert, update, merge, and delete database records.
• Remove data efficiently with TRUNCATE.
• Manage transactions to maintain data integrity and consistency.

FAQ

When is the class held?

The majority of the class is a full-day online course from morning to afternoon CET with 8 hours / day straight. However, please contact us to confirm the final detailed schedules.

What is Microsoft SQL Server?

Microsoft SQL Server is a relational database management system (RDBMS) used to store, organise, and manage structured data. In this course, you'll use SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) to write queries, retrieve data, and perform common database operations in a practical environment.

What are subqueries used for?

Subqueries are SQL statements nested inside another query to filter, compare, or calculate data. You'll learn how to use both standalone and correlated subqueries to solve more advanced data retrieval tasks.

Will I learn how to add, update, and remove data?

Yes. The course covers the INSERT, UPDATE, and DELETE statements through hands-on exercises, giving you practical experience managing data within SQL Server databases.

Why is transaction control important in SQL?

Transaction control helps ensure database changes are completed safely and accurately. You'll learn how to use commands such as COMMIT and ROLLBACK to confirm or undo transactions, protecting data integrity and maintaining database consistency.