SQL
SQL (Structured Query Language) is the main programming language used by database management systems.
We live in a data-driven world. Everything that we do online creates data. Every business transaction creates data: cash register sales, inventory changes, and upcoming shipments. According to Forbes, 90% of the data in the world was created in the last two years. All of this data provides invaluable information for businesses.
Over 97% of business organizations are investing in data.
SQL (Structured Query Language) is a programming language used to manage data in databases. SQL is the second-most popular programming language, and it is used by a majority of all developers. It has been the primary language of digital databases since the 1970s.
SQL is the most common method of accessing the immense amount of essential data stored in databases. Given how valuable this data has become to companies, people who know how to use SQL to access it has a considerable advantage in the job market.
Why learn SQL?
SQL as a job skill is relevant in every industry and one of the foundations of a career in data science: a hot career path Harvard named “the most promising career of the 21st century.” Learning SQL is recommended for anyone who wants to work in either coding or data. Some job positions that require SQL training are SQL Developer, Software Engineer, Data Scientist, Data Analyst, Database Administrator, and Big Data Architect.
Two of the primary uses for SQL include:
- Numerous types of databases, including Microsoft SQL, MySQL, and PostgreSQL. These databases support innumerable companies of various sizes: Microsoft SQL alone is used by over 200,000 companies worldwide.
- SQL can also be found in other types of technology, including iPhones and Androids. For example, SQLite is used on every smartphone, in every browser, on Skype calls, music streaming services, and some televisions.
- Unlike other languages, SQL can be used for non-programming purposes: such as marketers or finance workers querying for data.
With such widespread usage, developers who learn SQL will remain in demand for decades.
There are several reasons why SQL makes it so much easier for workers to learn other programming languages, including:
- SQL’s structure offers a straightforward framework for data analysis
- SQL is flexible and can be optimized by developers to run any query
- SQL language can be adapted and extended with new calculations
- SQL Has a Secure Future
Get Started with SQL
SQL is how you interact with a database. When interacting with a database you connect to it using a client. This client is a software program that you run into which you can issue SQL commands.
Additionally you can also connect to databases via programming languages and issue SQL commands via programming language interfaces.
Head over to this article which showcases how you can use a popular SQL client, DBeaver to connect to a variety of databases such as PostgreSQL
With DBeaver you can also connect to a CSV file and query it as thought it were a database table. Additionally you can also connect to SQLite databases which are embedded database. This only means the entire database functionality is contained within a file.
Business Case Study with SQL
The Android App Store draws millions of users everyday to download apps for their smart phones. Apps belong to various categories like Entertainment, Productivity, Children, Gaming.
Apps have various ratings and reviews.
Imagine being able to analyze this information and draw insights that can help you learn more about the dynamics of this vibrant marketplace.
A three-part series that takes you into this dataset and shows you how you can use SQL to answer interesting business questions.
Android Marketplace Analysis - Part 1