SQL Course

Sawell · 16 Dec 2009 at 11:40

Budgets are coming up and work wants me to spec them an SQL course to put me and a colleague on.

Had a quick Google and there seems to be a lot out there.

What's the industry standard SQL course? I'd imagine Microsoft something? Basically we're system developers and have to do a lot of business analysis/report from large SQL-based HR/Payroll systems, I do a lot through SQL queries anyway but no one else knows how to do it and I'd appreciate the tuition as I've only self-taught so far.

We won't be building databases, just reporting on existing ones, building stored procedures etc with a view perhaps in future to create standard web reporting.

GravyMonster · 16 Dec 2009 at 12:12

http://www.jbinternational.co.uk/sql-server-2005-comprehensive-upgrade-training-uk.html

It's not a Microsoft course, but i just went on one of their ASP.Net courses and it was very good.

Lewist · 16 Dec 2009 at 13:23

I havent personally used these guys for SQL courses specifically, but we have sent people to a few other courses by them and they have always been good.

They seem to have quite a few sql related courses of varying length/cost, take your pick:
http://www.learningtree.co.uk/training-directory/SQL-Server-Training-8.htm

dangerstat · 16 Dec 2009 at 17:52

QA are decent (IMO) so perhaps this is worth checking out:
http://www.qa.com/training-courses/technical-training/generic-database-skills/sql-language

Haircut · 16 Dec 2009 at 18:52

Just to throw another company in the mix, the best courses I've been on have been done by Developmentor.

I assume you're using MS SQL Server by mentioning Microsoft courses, so here's their link for that:
http://www.develop.com/coursegroup/microsoft-servers

Their courses are not easy going (on a QA course I found myself nodding off it was that slow paced) but if you want to really learn something then I would definitely recommend them.

djkav · 16 Dec 2009 at 19:03

I would learn ANSI SQL as a foundation. I think SQL:2006 is the last finalised standard. Unless SQL:2008 has been finalised now.

Allvendors seem to make their own additions, but all should implement the ANSI standards.

Ciphon · 19 Dec 2009 at 18:23

I'm currently studying for Microsoft exam 70-433, which deals in SQL as a langauge rather than setting up the server.

I use SQL every single day in my job, but like you, am only self taught. My boss bought me the book for the above exam and I'm learning a fair bit from it.

Hope to get the exam done in the new year.