SQL Server: Querying Data Transact-SQL

Module 1: Introduction to Microsoft SQL Server and its Ecosystem

Lessons:

• Overview of the SQL Server platform
• SQL Server components and editions
• Using SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS)
• Hands-On Lab: Connecting to a SQL Server instance and navigating SSMS

Module 2: Foundations of Transact-SQL (T-SQL)

Lessons:

• Introduction to the T-SQL language
• Statement structure and execution order
• Hands-On Lab: Writing your first T-SQL queries

Module 3: Writing Basic SELECT Queries

Lessons:

• SELECT statements and column aliases
• Expressions and literal values
• Hands-On Lab: Retrieving data using basic SELECT queries

Module 4: Querying Data from Multiple Tables

Lessons:

• Understanding table relationships
• INNER, LEFT, RIGHT, FULL OUTER joins
• Hands-On Lab: Writing queries to join data from multiple tables

Module 5: Sorting and Filtering Results

Lessons:

• Using ORDER BY for sorting
• Filtering with WHERE clause and logical operators
• Hands-On Lab: Filtering and sorting datasets for analysis

Module 6: Working with SQL Server Data Types

Lessons:

• Overview of built-in data types
• Implicit and explicit conversions
• Hands-On Lab: Exploring and converting between data types

Module 7: Modifying Data Using DML Statements

Lessons:

• INSERT, UPDATE, DELETE statements
• Managing data integrity
• Hands-On Lab: Populating and updating a sample database

Module 8: Leveraging Built-In Functions

Lessons:

• String, date, and numeric functions
• Nesting functions and formatting results
• Hands-On Lab: Using functions to transform and analyze data

Module 9: Aggregating Data and Grouping Results

Lessons:

• GROUP BY and HAVING clauses
• Aggregate functions: SUM, COUNT, AVG, MIN, MAX
• Hands-On Lab: Summarizing data using aggregation techniques

Module 10: Utilizing Subqueries for Complex Logic

Lessons:

• Correlated vs. non-correlated subqueries
• Subqueries in SELECT, FROM, and WHERE
• Hands-On Lab: Solving business questions using subqueries

Module 11: Implementing Table Expressions

Lessons:

• Common Table Expressions (CTEs)
• Derived tables and views
• Hands-On Lab: Refactoring queries using table expressions

Module 12: Combining Data with Set Operators

Lessons:

• Using UNION, INTERSECT, and EXCEPT
• Set operator rules and precedence
• Hands-On Lab: Merging and comparing result sets

Module 13: Using Window Functions for Ranking and Aggregation

Lessons:

• ROW_NUMBER, RANK, DENSE_RANK, NTILE
• OVER clause and partitioning data
• Hands-On Lab: Performing advanced analytics with window functions

Module 14: Creating Pivot Tables and Grouping Sets

Lessons:

• Using PIVOT and UNPIVOT
• GROUPING SETS, ROLLUP, and CUBE
• Hands-On Lab: Generating pivot reports and multidimensional summaries

Module 15: Executing and Managing Stored Procedures

Lessons:

• Creating and executing stored procedures
• Passing parameters and handling output
• Hands-On Lab: Building reusable stored procedures

Module 16: Introduction to T-SQL Programming

Lessons:

• Variables, control-of-flow, and conditional logic
• Writing maintainable scripts
• Hands-On Lab: Developing procedural logic in T-SQL

Module 17: Error Handling in T-SQL

Lessons:

• TRY…CATCH blocks
• Error functions and debugging techniques
• Hands-On Lab: Writing robust queries with exception handling

Module 18: Managing Transactions and Concurrency

Lessons:

• BEGIN, COMMIT, and ROLLBACK
• Isolation levels and locking behavior
• Hands-On Lab: Controlling transactions in multi-user environments

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

• Understand the core components, architecture, and capabilities of Microsoft SQL Server.
• Explain the fundamentals of Transact-SQL (T-SQL), including predicate logic and set-based operations.
• Construct efficient single-table queries using SELECT statements.
• Develop multi-table queries utilizing various types of joins to retrieve relational data.
• Apply filtering, sorting, and conditional logic to refine query results.
• Recognize and appropriately use SQL Server data types in queries and schema design.
• Perform data manipulation operations (INSERT, UPDATE, DELETE) using Data Manipulation Language (DML).
• Utilize built-in T-SQL functions for string manipulation, numeric calculations, date/time handling, and logical operations.
• Aggregate and summarize data using GROUP BY, HAVING, and aggregate functions.
• Write and optimize subqueries for complex data retrieval scenarios.
• Create, use, and manage views and table-valued functions to encapsulate logic and simplify queries.
• Combine result sets from multiple queries using UNION, INTERSECT, and EXCEPT.
• Apply window functions to perform ranking, row numbering, offset, and aggregation over partitions.
• Transform and analyze data using pivot, unpivot, rollup, and cube operations.
• Develop and execute stored procedures to modularize and secure SQL logic.
• Incorporate variables, conditional statements, and looping constructs to build advanced T-SQL scripts and automation logic.

This course is designed for:

• Data Analysts and Business Intelligence Professionals who need to query and manipulate data stored in Microsoft SQL Server databases.
• Database Developers looking to strengthen their T-SQL skills for application development or data transformation tasks.
• Report Developers using tools like Power BI, SSRS, or Excel who require a solid understanding of querying SQL databases.
• IT Professionals, System Administrators, or Support Engineers who interact with SQL Server as part of their daily operations.
• Students and career changers aiming to break into the fields of data analysis, database administration, or backend development.
• Anyone preparing for Microsoft SQL Server certifications or seeking foundational knowledge in database querying.