Leveling Up with SQL

Learn to write SQL queries to select and analyze data, and improve your ability to manipulate data. This book will help you take your existing skills to the next level.

Author Mark Simon kicks things off with a quick review of basic SQL knowledge, followed by a demonstration of how efficient SQL databases are designed and how to extract just the right data from them. You’ll then learn about each individual table’s structure and how to work with the relationships between tables. As you progress through the book, you will learn more sophisticated techniques such as using common table expressions and subqueries, analyzing your data using aggregate and windowing functions, and how to save queries in the form of views and other methods. This book employs an accessible approach to work through a realistic sample, enabling you to learn concepts as they arise to improve parts of the database or to work with the data itself.

After completing this book, you will have a more thorough understanding of database structure and how to use advanced techniques to extract, manage, and analyze data.

What Will You Learn

• Gain a stronger understanding of database design principles, especially individual tables
• Understand the relationships between tables
• Utilize techniques such as views, subqueries, common table expressions, and windowing functions

Who Is This Book For:

SQL Databases users who want to improve their knowledge and techniques.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Getting Ready

Chapter 2: Working with Table Design .

Chapter 3: Table Relationships and Joins .

Chapter 4: Working with Calculated Data

Chapter 5: Aggregating Data 

Chapter 6: Using Views and Friends 

Chapter 7: Working with Subqueries and Common Table Expressions 

Chapter 8: Window Functions

Chapter 9: More on Common Table Expressions

Chapter 10: More Techniques: Triggers, Pivot Tables, and Variables

Appendix A: Cultural Notes 

Appendix B: DBMS Differences 

Appendix C: Using SQL with Python

About the Author

Mark Simon has been involved in training and education since the beginning of his career. He started as a teacher of mathematics, but quickly pivoted into IT consultancy and training because computers are much easier to work with than high school students. He has worked with and trained in several programming and coding languages, and currently focuses mainly on web development and database languages. When not involved in work, you will generally find him listening to or playing music, reading, or just wandering about.