A good knowledge of SQL—the de facto standard language for querying and manipulating databases—is essential for anyone who wants to do more than the simplest queries on one or two tables. During this workshop, you will be challenged to formulate advanced data queries using subqueries, set operations, and various functions.

This interactive workshop offers:

• in-depth SQL training, both theoretical and (especially) practical
• translating an analysis question into an SQL query
• reading and writing complex SQL queries in a clear, maintainable way

This training is mainly practical in nature; it builds on the course SQL and relational databases fundamentals and precedes the more advanced SQL advanced course.

• More advanced SELECT:
  • subqueries in WHERE predicates
  • nested table expressions — common table expressions (WITH clause)
  • correlated subqueries — EXISTS
  • scalar subqueries
  • group by & having: typical use and "best practices"
  • union — intersect — except
  • inner join, left/right/full outer join of multiple tables, and when to use
  • expressions: case; extract; cast; date & time manipulations
  • overview and use of the most useful scalar functions
• INSERT, UPDATE, DELETE
• Hidden mistakes, alternative formulations, query readability, best practices

Most of the time is devoted to practical exercises and to discussing the solutions. Exercises can be made either on Oracle, Db2 for z/OS, Db2 for LUW, MySQL, MariaDB, SQL Server, or PostgreSQL. (Indicate your choice on the registration form.) After the training, you get access to our on-line database environment, so you can practise at home/work!

Delivered as a live, interactive training – available in-person or online, or in a hybrid format. Training can be implemented in English, Dutch, or French.

Some experience with relational databases and SQL (see course SQL and relational databases fundamentals) is an absolute prerequisite.

The training is intended for anyone who wants to write or read SQL queries: analysts, application programmers, database administrators, system programmers, end users ...

You can test for yourself to see if this course contains enough new information for you by filling out the on-line self-test. If not, you can go straight on to our SQL advanced course.