SQL Learning for Beginners: Complete Tutorial Path

Free SQL course for beginners

Start with a table and one SELECT query, then build toward joins, views, transactions and safe applications. Each chapter has an original visual diagram, short examples, a result explanation and a practice task. Use a disposable practice database when changing data or structure.

Learn in order, then return to any topic for revision.

Start here

1. SQL for Beginners: What SQL Is and How Databases Work
2. SQL Data Types and NULL
3. SQL CREATE TABLE, ALTER TABLE and DROP TABLE
4. SQL SELECT and WHERE

Complete SQL chapters

1. SQL Foundations: Syntax, Relational Tables and Codd’s Rules
   SQL syntax · How a table works · Codd’s relational rules · SQL standards and dialects · SQL history and statement parts
2. SQL Database Design: Schema, Tables, Keys and Constraints
   Schemas and databases · Create, alter and drop a schema · Create and alter a database · CREATE TABLE and data types · Primary and foreign keys · Other constraints and ALTER TABLE · DROP and database safety
3. SQL SELECT Queries: WHERE, DISTINCT, ORDER BY and HAVING
   SELECT columns · WHERE and comparison · DISTINCT · ORDER BY · GROUP BY and HAVING
4. SQL Operators and Patterns: Arithmetic, Comparison, Logic and LIKE
   Arithmetic operators · Comparison operators · AND, OR and NOT · IN, BETWEEN and LIKE · Unary and vendor-specific operators
5. SQL INSERT, UPDATE and DELETE: Safe Data Changes
   INSERT · UPDATE · DELETE · Transaction check
6. SQL Functions: Aggregates, Numbers and Text
   COUNT, SUM and AVG · MIN and MAX · Numeric functions · Character functions · NULL handling
7. SQL JOINs and Subqueries: Connect Related Data
   INNER JOIN · LEFT and outer joins · Non-equi joins · Subqueries and EXISTS · UNION and UNION ALL
8. SQL Views, Indexes and Advanced Query Patterns
   CREATE and ALTER VIEW · Updating a view · Indexes · Create, change and drop indexes · DROP objects · Advanced output
9. SQL Procedures, Transactions and Database Security
   Stored procedures · Alter and drop procedures · COMMIT and ROLLBACK · ACID · Users and permissions · SQL injection
10. SQL Special Topics and Practice: DUAL, Commands and Exercises
    DUAL table · SQL command families · Practice questions · Further practice · Mini quiz and answers

Every topic in the reference syllabus

Use this checklist to find a topic quickly. Several related concepts share a chapter so you can see how they work together.

Introduction

SQL Home · SQL Syntax · Codd’s 12 Rules · SQL history · SQL standards and constructs

Database design

SQL Data Types · Components of a Table · Create, Alter and Drop Schema · Create and Alter Database · Create Table · Primary Key · Foreign Key · Constraints · Alter Table

Basic queries

Basic SELECT · WHERE · ORDER BY · GROUP BY · HAVING · DISTINCT

Operators

SQL Operators · Arithmetic Operators · Comparison Operators · Logical Operators · Wildcards and LIKE

Data changes

INSERT · UPDATE · DELETE

Functions

SQL Functions · Aggregate Functions · Arithmetic Functions · Character Functions

Combining data

SQL JOINs · Subqueries · UNION

Views and indexes

Create and Alter View · Update View · Create, Alter and Drop Index · SQL DROP · Advanced SQL Topics

Administration and safety

Create, Alter and Drop Procedure · Controlling Transactions · Database Security · SQL Injection

Special topics and practice

SQL DUAL Table · SQL Question and Answer · SQL Commands Complete Guide · SQL Quizzes · Practice SQL Exercises

How to practice

1. Read one explanation and predict the query result.
2. Run the example on a small sample database.
3. Change one clause and describe what changed.
4. Attempt the practice question before checking the answer.

These are original lessons using the w3resource SQL tutorial index as a topic checklist. SQL syntax differs by database product; check your product documentation for administration commands.