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Complete SQL Course 2026 — Beginner to Advanced

Master SQL from fundamentals to advanced concepts with our comprehensive 12-module course. Learn SELECT queries, JOINs, aggregations, subqueries, window functions, transactions, stored procedures, and real-world database design. All examples use a unified ecommerce_db dataset for coherent, practical learning!

12
Modules
45+
Hours
115+
Topics
12
Projects
🎯

Who This Course Is For

Essential for analysts, data scientists, backend developers, and product managers. SQL is the most universally required skill in technical job descriptions — this course covers it end-to-end.

📋

Prerequisites

No programming background required. Basic spreadsheet familiarity (Excel/Google Sheets) is helpful.

First published February 2024 · Updated 2026

What You'll Learn

  • SQL syntax, data types, and database setup
  • CRUD operations — SELECT, INSERT, UPDATE, DELETE
  • Advanced querying — JOINs, subqueries, window functions
  • Database design, normalization, ER diagrams, and constraints
  • Performance optimization with indexing and EXPLAIN
  • Stored procedures, triggers, views, and automation
  • Transactions, ACID properties, and concurrency control
  • Real-world SQL in backend development and data analytics

Career Opportunities

Database Developer
Backend Developer
Data Analyst
Data Engineer
SQL Developer
Database Administrator
Start Learning SQL

Course Modules Overview

1
Introduction to Databases & SQL

10 topics

2
SQL Basics – CRUD Operations

10 topics

3
Filtering, Sorting & Operators

10 topics

4
Aggregate Functions & Grouping

9 topics

5
Joins & Relationships

10 topics

6
Subqueries & Nested Queries

9 topics

7
Constraints & Database Design

10 topics

8
Indexing & Performance Basics

10 topics

9
Advanced SQL Functions

9 topics

10
Transactions & ACID Properties

10 topics

11
Views, Stored Procedures & Triggers

10 topics

12
Real-World SQL & Career Path

10 topics

Keep Learning!

Complete all 12 modules to unlock your course completion certificate

Course Curriculum

12 comprehensive modules covering everything from basics to advanced topics

Beginner (3)Intermediate (5)Advanced (4)
Module 1

Introduction to Databases & SQL

Start your SQL journey — understand databases, relational concepts, set up your environment, learn data types, DDL commands, and create the shared ecommerce_db used throughout the course.

Beginner2.5 hours
What is a Database & DBMSRelational vs NoSQL DatabasesWhat is SQL & Why It MattersRDBMS Concepts (Tables, Rows, Columns)Popular Databases (MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQLite)Installing & Setting Up a DatabaseSQL Tools (CLI & GUI)SQL Data Types (INT, VARCHAR, DECIMAL, BOOLEAN, DATE, JSON)DDL Commands (CREATE, ALTER, DROP)ecommerce_db Schema + Seed Data + Data Flow Diagram
Start Module
Module 2

SQL Basics – CRUD Operations

Master the four core SQL operations — SELECT, INSERT, UPDATE, DELETE — plus aliases, DISTINCT, pagination, and bulk importing data into ecommerce_db.

Beginner2.5 hours
SELECT StatementSELECT Specific ColumnsWHERE ClauseINSERT INTOUPDATE StatementDELETE StatementAliases (AS)DISTINCT KeywordLIMIT & OFFSETBulk Data Import (CSV / SQL dump)
Start Module
Module 3

Filtering, Sorting & Operators

Control which data you retrieve — filter with WHERE operators, sort with ORDER BY, match patterns with LIKE, handle NULLs, and write conditional logic with CASE.

Beginner2.5 hours
Comparison Operators (=, !=, >, <)Logical Operators (AND, OR, NOT)BETWEEN OperatorIN & NOT INLIKE & WildcardsORDER BY (ASC, DESC)NULL Handling (IS NULL, IS NOT NULL)CASE Statements (Conditional Logic)Pattern MatchingMini Project: Search & Filter System
Start Module
Module 4

Aggregate Functions & Grouping

Summarise and analyse data — use aggregate functions, group results, filter groups with HAVING, and build a sales dashboard from the payments table.

Intermediate2.5 hours
COUNT, SUM, AVG, MIN, MAXGROUP BYHAVING ClauseGROUP BY Multiple ColumnsAggregate with ConditionsNULL Behavior in AggregatesROUND & Numeric FunctionsCombining WHERE + GROUP BYMini Project: Sales Dashboard on payments
Start Module
Module 5

Joins & Relationships

Connect data across tables — master all JOIN types, understand foreign key relationships, cascade rules, and query users, orders, and payments together.

Intermediate3 hours
Types of Joins OverviewINNER JOINLEFT JOINRIGHT JOINFULL OUTER JOINSELF JOINCROSS JOINJoining Multiple TablesForeign KeysON DELETE CASCADE / ON UPDATE CASCADE
Start Module
Module 6

Subqueries & Nested Queries

Write queries inside queries — use subqueries in WHERE, SELECT, and FROM clauses, understand correlated subqueries, EXISTS, and derived tables.

Intermediate2.5 hours
What are SubqueriesSingle Row SubqueryMulti-row SubqueryCorrelated SubqueriesEXISTS & NOT EXISTSIN vs EXISTSSubquery in SELECTSubquery in FROMDerived Tables
Start Module
Module 7

Constraints & Database Design

Design robust databases — apply all constraint types, draw ER diagrams, normalize schemas to 3NF, and understand when to denormalize for performance.

Intermediate3 hours
PRIMARY KEYFOREIGN KEYUNIQUE ConstraintNOT NULLDEFAULT ValuesCHECK ConstraintAuto Increment / SERIALER Diagram Basics (Entities, Attributes, Relationships)Normalization (1NF, 2NF, 3NF)Denormalization Basics
Start Module
Module 8

Indexing & Performance Basics

Make queries fast — understand how indexes work, create composite indexes, read EXPLAIN output, analyse execution plans, and learn database scaling fundamentals.

Intermediate3 hours
What is an IndexTypes of IndexesCreating & Dropping IndexesClustered vs Non-ClusteredComposite IndexesQuery Optimization BasicsEXPLAIN StatementQuery Execution Plan Deep DiveAvoiding Full Table ScansDatabase Scaling Basics
Start Module
Module 9

Advanced SQL Functions

Unlock powerful SQL capabilities — string and date manipulation, window functions, PARTITION BY, LEAD/LAG, CTEs, and recursive queries.

Advanced3 hours
String Functions (UPPER, LOWER, CONCAT, TRIM)Date Functions (NOW, DATE, DATEDIFF)Mathematical FunctionsConditional Functions (CASE Advanced)Window Functions (ROW_NUMBER, RANK, DENSE_RANK)PARTITION BYLEAD & LAGCommon Table Expressions (CTE)Recursive CTEs
Start Module
Module 10

Transactions & ACID Properties

Write safe, reliable data operations — understand ACID, isolation levels, read anomalies, deadlocks, and how to use transactions inside backend APIs.

Advanced2.5 hours
What is a TransactionACID PropertiesCOMMIT & ROLLBACKSAVEPOINTIsolation LevelsDirty Read / Non-repeatable Read / Phantom ReadConcurrency IssuesLocks & DeadlocksTransactions in Backend APIsReal-world Transaction Flow
Start Module
Module 11

Views, Stored Procedures & Triggers

Automate and secure your database — create views, write stored procedures and functions, build triggers, restrict data access, and explore cloud database options.

Advanced3 hours
What is a ViewCreating & Updating ViewsStored ProceduresFunctions in SQLParameters in ProceduresTriggers (BEFORE, AFTER)Use Cases of TriggersSecurity with ViewsCloud Databases Overview (RDS, Supabase, PlanetScale)Reusability Concepts
Start Module
Module 12

Real-World SQL & Career Path

Apply SQL in the real world — backend integration, analytics, security with GRANT/REVOKE, dialect differences, backup strategies, and build a complete portfolio project.

Advanced3 hours
SQL in Backend DevelopmentSQL in Data AnalyticsORMs vs Raw SQLReal Backend Integration Example (Node.js + pg)GRANT & REVOKE (Security)SQL Dialects (MySQL vs PostgreSQL)Backup Commands (mysqldump / pg_dump)Portfolio Project IdeasWhat to Learn NextMini Project: Full API with ecommerce_db
Start Module

Your Learning Roadmap

Follow this structured path — from first concepts to production-ready mastery

🌱
Step 01 · Beginner

Master SQL syntax, CRUD operations, filtering, sorting, and write your first real queries on ecommerce_db

⚡
Step 02 · Intermediate

Learn JOINs, subqueries, aggregations, database design, normalization, and indexing

🚀
Step 03 · Advanced

Write window functions, CTEs, transactions, triggers, stored procedures, and integrate SQL into real backend applications

Tools & Technologies

Essential tools you'll master during this course

MySQL 8+

Most popular open-source RDBMS

Database

PostgreSQL 16+

Advanced open-source RDBMS

Database

DBeaver

Universal database management GUI

GUI Tool

pgAdmin 4

Official PostgreSQL GUI

GUI Tool

SQLite

Lightweight embedded database

Database

VS Code SQLTools

Run SQL queries inside VS Code

Extension

Ready to Start Learning?

Begin your journey with Module 1 and build your skills step by step. Completely free, no registration required.

Start Learning SQL

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YouTube Series

Watch Our Free SQL Video Tutorials

Our SQL Database Mastery series on YouTube — perfect companion to this course.

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