Reuven Lerner: Reminder: My “Intro to SQL” course is this Sunday!

This is just a reminder that on Sunday, I’ll be teaching a live, 4-hour introductory course on databases and SQL. If you haven’t ever worked with databases before, then this will give you the push that you need to understand how they work, and how to work effectively with them.

I’ve been using SQL for 30 years, but it’s far from an outdated skill. No only do many of the world’s largest companies run on databases using SQL, but the smartphone in your pocket does, too. Moreover, once you understand the basics, you can start to ask serious and interesting questions from public and private datasets.

In this class, I’ll introduce you to SQL via the open-source PostgreSQL database. There will be numerous exercises and many opportunities to ask questions. And after the course is over, you’ll have access to an exclusive forum in which you can ask me questions about SQL.

Sounds good? Sign up here: https://store.lerner.co.il/intro-to-sql

I’ve gotten a lot of e-mail with questions from people curious about the course. So without further ado, here’s a FAQ:

How much programming do I need to know for this course?

None; SQL is a query language, not a programming language. It’ll help to be able to think logically, which programming certainly helps to develop. But we won’t be using any language other than SQL itself.

What will I be able to do after this course?

You’ll understand how relational databases work in a general way. But beyond that, you’ll be able to:

• Retrieve data using queries.
• Insert, update, and delete data.
• Create indexes
• Assign a “primary key” (and know why that’s important)
• Understand the value of normalization
• Perform basic “joins” between tables

I already know some SQL. Is this course a good fit for me?

Probably not. We’ll be doing basic queries — the sort of thing that everyone needs to know when working with databases, but nothing too fancy.

That said, I’ve gotten enough questions like this one that I’ll almost certainly do an “Advanced SQL” course in the coming months.

Is this a course in using Python with SQL?

No, this course is only about SQL. We won’t be using Python! However, just as I’ll be doing an advanced SQL course in the coming months, I’ll probably offer one on using databases from within Python. But you’ll need the knowledge in this course to take that one.

What do I need to install?

I’ll be setting up a virtual machine with PostgreSQL installed, along with the pre-loaded data sets we’ll be using. And I’ll give you a copy of that when we’re done, so that you can practice at home. We’ll likely use a Web-based interface; I’ll give you full details before the course opens. And if you need more help, then I’ll provide it in class and in our forum.

Yeah, what’s with the forum you keep mentioning?

When I did my “pytest” course a few months ago, several people suggested that I provide either office hours or a forum after the course had ended, in case people had follow-up questions. This course will thus have a forum, open to anyone who has registered to ask questions after the course is over. I thus don’t see it as a one-and-done class, but a chance to ask questions and keep learning after it’s over.

Why should I take this course, when there are lots of introductory books and tutorials?

Just as my Python courses go beyond the syntax and help you to really understand what’s going on behind the scenes, this course will help you to think in terms of databases and tables. You’ll understand not just the “what” but the “why.” And when the course is over, you’ll have the foundation you need to learn and do more on your own.

But wait, there’s more: Because this is a live course, you’ll have a chance to ask questions and get detailed explanations. My goal is to really help you learn, and if that means explaining something several times until you get it, then that’s what I’ll do. This isn’t a generic course; it’s one that will cater to your specific needs.

Do you offer any discounts?

Absolutely! My standard discount policy applies:

• Students
• Seniors/pensioners/retirees
• People living outside of the world’s 30 richest countries
• Anyone affected adversely by the coronavirus/covid-19 pandemic

Questions? Need a discount code? Just e-mail me at reuven@lerner.co.il, or contact me on Twitter as @reuvenmlerner.

Otherwise, learn more and sign up at https://store.lerner.co.il/intro-to-sql. I look forward to seeing you on Sunday!

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