Summer Sale Ends In:

Get $25 Off Your First Month!

SQL100 SEries

SQL for Beginners

Learn to speak the language of data. This hands-on SQL course gives you real-world practice writing queries, modeling databases, and managing data like a pro.

Hours

Beginner

  Last Updated
June 2025

Write your awesome label here.

Join Skill Foundry

This course includes:

  • Access to private discord community
  • lessons, videos, code-alongs, exercises, solutions, projects, and more
  • Unlimited access to all courses, webinars, office hours and resources

----------------------------------------

Prerequisites:

This is a beginner course, there are no prerequisites! 


Overview

Curriculum

Mentor

FAQs

What we'll cover...

  • Understand how databases work and how to read entity relationship diagrams (ERDs)
  • Insert, update, and delete data with SQL’s Data Manipulation Language (DML)
  • Set up a working SQL Server development environment hosted in Docker containers
  • Design normalized database schemas and practice real-world modeling scenarios
  • Write basic and advanced SQL queries using SELECT, JOIN, GROUP BY, and CASE
  • Create and modify databases and tables using Data Definition Language (DDL)
  • Work with subqueries, EXISTS, and NOT EXISTS for complex logic
  • Build and query realistic datasets from mock businesses like 4th Wall Café, 4th Wall Academy, and an IT Asset Tracker

Why Learn SQL?

SQL (Structured Query Language) is the language of data. Nearly every app, website, or business system relies on it behind the scenes.

Whether you’re building web apps, analyzing user behavior, or writing backend code, knowing SQL lets you talk directly to the database to retrieve, filter, update, and store data exactly how you need it.

SQL is also:

  • In demand across roles — from developers and data analysts to product managers and QA engineers
  • Universal — the concepts you learn here are also used in MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQL Server, SQLite, and many more relational database systems
  • Foundational — a must-have skill for working with APIs, dashboards, reports, and backend logic
  • Timeless — unlike frameworks that change, SQL has been relevant for decades and isn’t going anywhere

SQL is the most cross-functional skill in tech. Developers use it to build apps, analysts use it to generate insights, marketers use it to track campaigns, product managers use it to understand user behavior, and executives use it to make strategic decisions. If you work with data in any capacity, SQL skills set you apart from the crowd.

Time to turn the tables.

Jump in and start querying like a pro.

Course Outline

Module 1: Introduction

  • Get started with the SQL course and prepare for your database learning journey.
  • Welcome!

Module 2: Database Fundamentals

  • Learn database concepts, terminology, and how to read entity relationship diagrams.
  • Database Terminology
  • Data Types in SQL Server
  • Reading Entity Relationship Diagrams (ERDs)
  • Quiz: Database Fundamentals

Module 3: Setup

  • Set up your development environment using Docker and explore the course database schemas.
  • A Gentle Introduction to Docker
  • Guide: Setting up your Environment
  • Demo: Setting up your Environment
  • Overview - 4th Wall Café ERD
  • Overview - 4th Wall Academy ERD

Module 4: Selecting Data with SQL

  • Master the fundamentals of querying databases using SELECT statements and SQL joins.
  • Selecting Data from a Single Table
  • Demo: Selecting Data from a Single Table
  • Exercise: Selecting Data from a Single Table
  • SQL Joins
  • Demo: SQL Joins
  • Exercise: SQL Joins
  • Quiz: Selecting Data with SQL

Module 5: SQL Aggregation & Grouping

  • Learn advanced SQL techniques including aggregation, grouping, date functions, conditional logic, and set operations.
  • Aggregating Data with GROUP BY
  • Demo: Aggregating Data with GROUP BY
  • Exercise: Aggregating Data with Group By
  • Introduction to Dates in SQL
  • CASE Expressions
  • Demo: Case Expressions
  • Exercise: Case Expressions
  • Set Operators
  • Demo: Set Operators
  • Exercise: Set Operators
  • Quiz: SQL Aggregation & Grouping

Module 6: Subqueries

  • Explore enhanced query techniques using subqueries, EXISTS, and NOT EXISTS operators.
  • Subqueries
  • Demo: Subqueries, EXISTS, and NOT EXISTS
  • Exercise: Subqueries, EXISTS, and NOT EXISTS
  • Quiz: Subqueries

Module 7: Data Manipulation Language (DML)

  • Learn to insert, update, and delete data using SQL's Data Manipulation Language commands.
  • Modifying Data with SQL
  • Demo: Data Manipulation Language
  • Exercise: Data Manipulation Language
  • Quiz: DML

Module 8: Normalization and Database Design

  • Understand database normalization principles and design professional database schemas for real-world applications.
  • Normalization and Schema Design
  • Walkthrough: Creating a Movie Tracking Schema
  • Scenario: IT Asset Tracking
  • Exercise: IT Asset Tracking Schema
  • Solution: IT Asset Tracking Schema

Module 9: Data Definition Language (DDL)

  • Create and modify database structures using Data Definition Language commands.
  • Creating and Altering Databases and Tables
  • Exercise: Finish Movie Catalog Build Script
  • Solution: Finish Movie Catalog Build Script
  • Exercise: IT Asset Tracking Build Script
  • Solution: IT Asset Tracking Build Script

Module 10: Extras

  • Want to roll your own databases from scratch? Here are setup instructions for SQL Server configurations.
  • Installing an empty SQL Server Image

How We Build Developers

Write your awesome label here.

Written Lessons That Actually Make Sense
 

Our written content explains complex concepts in plain English, with real examples you can quickly apply. You'll understand not just what to do, but why pros make the decisions we do.

Write your awesome label here.

Hands-On Practice That Builds Confidence

Every concept comes with code samples and exercises. You can't learn to play guitar without putting your fingers on the strings and you can't learn to code without writing a lot of code!
Write your awesome label here.

Videos That Show, Don't Just Tell

You'll see how professional developers think, debug, and refactor code. These aren't just lectures, but applied theory. See concepts actually used together!
Write your awesome label here.

Rigorous Capstone Projects That Prove Your Skills

You'll build substantial applications that demonstrate your ability to architect solutions, handle complexity, and deliver professional-quality code.

Join developers who chose...

depth over speed,
understanding over memorization, and 
professional skills over participation certificates.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need any prior coding experience to take this course?

Nope! This course is beginner-friendly and designed for anyone curious about working with data. If you’ve never written a line of code, you’ll still be able to follow along.

What kinds of projects will I work on?

You’ll practice querying and designing databases for fictional but realistic scenarios like a coffee shop point of sale system, a school for up-and-coming super heroes, and an IT asset tracker. These help simulate the kinds of problems you’d solve in a real tech role.

Will I learn both reading and writing SQL?

Absolutely. You’ll write queries to read and transform data, and also learn how to insert, update, delete, and structure data through DDL and DML commands.

Do I need to know testing or design patterns before taking this?

Nope! We introduce everything from scratch — including unit testing, dependency injection, and interface-based design. You’ll learn what they are and how to use them effectively.

Is this course focused on a specific database platform?

Yes! We use Microsoft SQL Server for a consistent experience. But the SQL syntax and concepts you learn apply to most other database platforms (PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQLite, etc.).

Do I need to install anything complicated?

We make setup easy by walking you through SQL Server inside a Docker container.

You will need a mid-range computer to run the Docker containers. We recommend at least 16GB of RAM and a recent, mid-range processor (Intel i5, Ryzen 5, or equivalent). No Chromebooks or Tablets for this course!

How is this different from free SQL tutorials?

We go beyond syntax and toy problems. You’ll work through real scenarios with full ERDs, normalized schemas, and multi-table datasets, just like you would in a job.

Is this course included in my Skill Foundry subscription?

Yes! Your membership gives you access to this course along with our entire catalog: Python, C#, ASP.NET Core, Docker, career prep tools, and more.

About the Author

Eric Wise

Software Architect | Mentor | Entrepreneur
Eric isn't just another online instructor, he's a veteran software architect, multi-time tech entrepreneur, and someone who's been in every corner of the industry from tech start ups, big corporations, and freelancing.
But what makes Eric truly special is his legendary ability to explain complex concepts in ways that actually stick.

Forge your Future. Learn to Code.

You can’t fast forward time, but you can stop wasting it.

Join now and start making real progress.

Start today.

Most Popular

Monthly Plan

$75/month

  • Full access to all courses and learning paths
  • Learn at your own pace. No deadlines or pressure
  •  Regular content updates and new project releases
  • Access to our supportive Discord community
  • Help from the Skill Foundry team when you need it

Save 30%!

Annual Plan

$600/year

  • All monthly plan benefits
  • Access 24/7 to all courses and updates