DataNOW's Exclusive MS SQL Masterclass
This interactive guide translates a 3-hour workshop into a self-paced learning experience, now enhanced with AI-powered tools to accelerate your learning.
Why Learn SQL?
Analysts
Scientists
Engineers
SQL is the universal language of data, empowering you to uncover insights from raw information.
Workshop Pacing Guide
This chart visualizes the time allocation for each major topic, giving you an idea of their relative depth.
Your Development Environment
Before writing queries, you need the right tools. This section guides you through installing the SQL Server engine and the Management Studio (SSMS).
Setup Checklist
📥Install SQL Server ▶
This is the database engine itself—the brain of the operation. Choose the free "Developer" edition.
💻Install SSMS ▶
SQL Server Management Studio is your graphical interface for managing and querying the database.
🔗Connect to Server ▶
Open SSMS, connect to `localhost` with Windows Authentication to verify the setup.
Database Fundamentals
To query a database, you must first understand its structure. Use the tabs to explore each fundamental concept.
Talking to Your Data with SQL
This section is a code explorer for the most fundamental SQL commands. Click on a command to see its syntax, an explanation, and a practical example.
Interactive Playground
Time to code! Try writing queries in the editor below to solve the challenges. Click "Run Query" to see your results instantly.
AI Playground ✨
Translate plain English into SQL. Type a request like "show all employees from the sales department" and let the AI generate the query for you.
Available Tables:
Hands-On Lab (SSMS)
For a full database experience, download the script below, run it in SSMS, and then tackle the challenges.
Step 1: Create the Sample Database
Activity for Next Week
Apply what you've learned! Use the `SampleDB` database from the SSMS Lab to solve these challenges. Enter the instructor password to unlock the answers.