Course Description

SQL stands for Structured Query Language. SQL is a standard language that was designed to query and manage data in relational database management systems (RDBMS). An RDBMS is a database management system that is used today in every type of desktop or web-based application. Microsoft provides T-SQL (Transact SQL) as a dialect of, or extension to, SQL in Microsoft SQL Server, its RDBMS. Microsoft SQL Server is one of the most popular RDBMS used today and a solid understanding of T-SQL is critical if you want to have a successful career in Microsoft application development (desktop or web). This class is intended for analysts, developers, designers, administrators, and managers new to the SQL programming language. Upon completion, students will understand SQL functions, join techniques, database objects and be able to write complex queries and stored procedures. Note: This class does not cover database creation or design theory. This is a 6 week, self-paced, online course. If you need additional help understanding the material presented, you can communicate with the instructor and fellow classmates. The instructor will monitor and track your progress throughout the class. LVS Online offers many wonderful learning tools to help you get the most out of your online course, including an online portfolio service that manages all your course registrations, certificate of completion option, a class discussion board to interact with your instructor and fellow classmates, free hosting account, and a student upload area. LVS is a Corel Training Partner. LVS students may purchase Corel products at a significant savings. Follow this link for details. LVS students are eligible to receive software and hardware at a discount. Follow this link for details. Students are also eligible take advantage of special offers made available specifically for LVS by famous software developers such as Andromeda, AV Bros, Extensis, Harry Heim, namesuppressed, Nik Multimedia, and Ulead. Details are provided in the classinfo link found in the confirmation of registration. Show off your LVS Online spirit with an item from the LVS Store Visit the LVS Blog for updates. If you would like to receive more information regarding this course, click on the "Contact Us" link in the Information section and we'll try to answer any of your questions within the day.

Course Requirements

Students will use Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Express: www.microsoft.com/express/sql/download/ Must have Internet Explorer 6 or higher or another web browser that supports JavaScript. All lessons are available in PDF format. Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to view/print the lessons. Plan to devote 3 - 4 hours per week on the lesson and assignment.

Course Prerequisites

No previous programming experience is required. For students of ASP.NET Database Web Development class, this course will be an extension of the T-SQL that was taught and used with ASP.NET controls with C#. This class focuses soley on the T-SQL used within Microsoft SQL Server with no interaction with ASP.NET.

Course Syllabus - Coming Soon

Lesson 1 - Class Overview Downloading and Installing SQL Server 2008 Express and SQL Server Management Studio Express SELECT Statement Review Lesson 2 - Single Table Queries Elements of SELECT Predicates and Operators Case Expressions Working with Date and Time Data Lesson 3 - Joins Cross Joins Inner Joins Outer Joins Lesson 4 - Subqueries Lesson 5 - Data Modification Inserting Data Deleting Data Updating Data Merging Data Lesson 6 - Programmable Objects Varaibles Flow Elements Routines Functions

Course Excerpt

LESSON 1 "What is a Query? A query is a way of retrieving some subset of information from a database. That information might be a single number such as a product price, a list of members with overdue subscriptions, or some sort of calculation such as the total amount of products sold in the past 12 months. Once we retrieve this subset of data, we might want to update the database records or include the information in some sort of report. Database Terminology Before getting into the nuts and bolts of how to build queries, it is necessary to understand some of the ideas and terminology associated with relational databases. Tables: These are where data is kept within the database. A database must contain at least one table to be of use, although you can have a database with no user tables and only system tables. System tables are special tables that SQL Server uses to help it work with the database. These tables contain information within rows and columns, much like in Excel, but they have a great deal more power than cells within Excel. Temporary tables—another type of database table—can take several different forms. Columns: These provide a definition of each single item of information that builds up to a table definition. A column is made up of cells that all hold data, much like a column in Excel. Unlike in Excel, though, where each cell can hold a different type of data, a column within a SQL Server table is restricted to what the data within it relates to, the type of data it will hold. Rows: A row is made up of one cell from every column defined for the table. There can be any number of rows in a table; you are limited only by your disk space, the amount of disk space that you defined as the maximum in your database creation definition, or the amount of disk space on your server. Rows are also called records. Stored procedures: When it comes to requiring a program to manipulate or work with data, or perform the same data-intensive task repeatedly, it’s often better to store this code in a stored procedure. Stored procedures contain one or more T-SQL statements, which are compiled and ready to be executed when required. Stored procedures are permanently stored in the database, ready for use at any time. T-SQL statements: A T-SQL statement is a program statement that SQL Server can use to work with your data. Indexes: These can be regarded as predefined lists of information that can inform the database how the data is physically sorted and stored, or they can be used by SQL Server to find rows of data quickly using information supplied by a T-SQL query and matching this information to data within columns. An index consists of one or more columns from the table it is defined for. Views: These can be thought of as virtual tables. Views can contain information combined from several tables and can present a more user-friendly interface to the data. Views can also be indexed to speed processing of data within. Continued... Please note: Lessons provide step-by-step instructions with detailed screen captures.

Course Goals

Write SELECT queries to retrieve data. Group and summarize data by using Transact-SQL. Join data from multiple tables. Write queries that retrieve and modify data by using subqueries. Modify data in tables. How to create programming objects. Use various techniques when working with complex queries

Course Reviews

New Class November 2009 More...