In this SQL Server tutorial For Beginners and Professionals article series, we covered all the basic and advanced concepts of SQL Server. In this SQL Server Tutorials for Beginners and Professionals course, we will explain SQL Server using different types of SQL Server applications by taking some real-time scenarios.
Here's a general outline for a SQL Server syllabus, typically suited for beginners to intermediate learners. This can be customized for different levels or goals such as certification, application development, or web development.In this SQL Server Tutorials, you will learn from basic to advanced level concepts of SQL Server. Some of them are as follows:
Microsoft SQL Server is a relational database management system (RDBMS) developed by Microsoft. It is widely used for managing and storing data, and it supports a range of transaction processing, business intelligence, and analytics applications. SQL Server is an essential tool for enterprises and developers who need a robust and secure platform to manage large amounts of structured data.
Here’s a concise overview of key RDBMS (Relational Database Management System) concepts specifically in the context of SQL Server
Quick guide to the basic SQL syntax used across relational database systems like SQL Server
Here are some essential SQL Server basic queries to get you started with working on data in tables
SQL data types define the kind of data a column can store. They vary slightly by database, but here are the most common ones:
SQL operators are used to perform operations on data values in a query. They help you filter, compare, and modify data in your queries.
SQL expressions are used to perform operations on data, manipulate values, or calculate results within a query. They can be arithmetic, string, logical, or comparison expressions, and they can be used in SELECT, WHERE, ORDER BY, and other SQL clauses.
To create a database in SQL, the CREATE DATABASE statement is used. This statement allows you to define the database and its properties, such as the name and other configurations (like collation or file storage options).
The DROP DATABASE statement is used to permanently delete a database and all of its objects (tables, views, stored procedures, etc.).
This returns the name of the active database you're using.
You can rename a database in SQL Server using the ALTER DATABASE statement or the sp_rename system stored procedure.
In SQL Server, the backup command is used to create a copy of the database so that it can be restored later if necessary.
To list all tables in a database, the exact SQL command depends on the database system you're using. Here are the most common ones
In SQL Server, you can rename a table using the stored procedure sp_rename.
The TRUNCATE TABLE statement is used to quickly remove all rows from a table, resetting it to empty — but keeping the table structure intact.
Cloning a table means creating a copy of an existing table — either just the structure (schema) or structure + data.
Temporary tables are used to store data temporarily during a session or transaction. They are helpful for intermediate processing, complex queries, or when you need to store results temporarily.
The ALTER TABLE statement is used to modify the structure of an existing table in a database. You can use it to add, delete, or modify columns, or even to add constraints like primary keys, foreign keys, etc.
The DROP TABLE statement is used to delete an existing table from a database. This command removes the table structure and all the data stored in it permanently. Once the table is dropped, it cannot be recovered unless you have a backup.
In SQL, there is no DELETE TABLE command. However, you might be referring to the DELETE statement, which is used to remove data from a table, but not the table structure itself.
The SQL INSERT query is used to insert data into a database table. It allows you to add new rows of data to a table.
The SELECT INTO statement is used to create a new table and insert data into it from another table (or query)
The INSERT INTO ... SELECT statement is used to copy data from one table to another existing table.
The DELETE statement is used to remove records from a table. You can delete all rows or just the ones that match a specific condition.
In SQL, you can sort the results of a query using the ORDER BY clause. It allows you to specify the columns by which the result set should be sorted, as well as the sorting direction (ascending or descending).
SQL joins are used to combine rows from two or more tables based on a related column between them.
An INNER JOIN returns only the rows that have matching values in both tables involved in the join. If there is no match, the row is excluded from the result.
A LEFT JOIN (also called LEFT OUTER JOIN) returns all rows from the left table, and the matching rows from the right table. If there's no match, the result will contain NULL values for columns from the right table.
A RIGHT JOIN returns: All rows from the right table Matching rows from the left table If no match exists, you'll get NULL values from the left table
A CROSS JOIN returns the Cartesian product of two tables. It combines each row from the first table with every row from the second table, producing all possible combinations of rows.
A FULL JOIN (or FULL OUTER JOIN) returns all rows from both tables, matching rows where possible. If there is no match, the result will still include rows from both tables, with NULL in the columns where there is no match.
A self join is a regular join, but the table is joined with itself. This can be useful when you need to compare rows within the same table. You can use aliases to differentiate the two instances of the same table.
In SQL, constraints are rules that are applied to the columns of a table to ensure the integrity and accuracy of the data. They help define the valid values for columns and maintain consistency throughout the database.