Benefits of Learning SQL with Cambridge Coding Courses

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When you post a status on Facebook, send a text message, or purchase a product from an online website, that data is created and recorded. In fact, even when you clicked on this post, it was recorded as data. The modern world is increasingly becoming more and more reliant on data. Hence, you should learn how to work with said data. For this purpose, you need to become proficient in Structured Query Language (SQL). 

What Is SQL?

Created in the 1970s, SQL quickly became the standard programming language for creating and managing relational databases. SQL differs from other programming languages that are more versatile in nature and can be used for a wide range of purposes. SQL was introduced with a clear objective in sight: access and manipulate databases. Typical SQL tasks include the following: 

  • Add, update, and delete rows of data. 
  • Retrieve data from a database.
  • Create database objects, such as indexes, tables, and stored procedures.
  • Make changes in database tables and index structures. 

Benefits of Learning SQL

The benefits of learning SQL are listed below. 

  • SQL Is the Universal Database Language

In this digital age, data is the most valuable asset and powers decision making for organizations around the world. With SQL, organizations use database engines, such as SQL Server, MySQL, PostgreSQL, and SQLite. Since data stored in a relational database is dynamic, it can be queried, manipulated, and modified quickly – all you need is to understand how some of the basic SQL queries work. 

Simply put, if you are looking to access databases, one way or another, you have to grasp the fundamentals of SQL.

  • SQL Is Easy to Learn

SQL doesn’t come with a deep learning curve nor does it require you to have a prior experience in technology. Besides, SQL’s syntax is similar to English, making it easier to learn. For instance, if you have a customerdatabase and would like to retrieve the name of your customers, you can type the following statement:

SELECT name FROM customers;

  • SQL Boasts a Strong Demand

According to the TIOBE Index, when it comes to programming, SQL is one of the most commonly-searched terms. 

Mastering SQL empowers you to start a career in a wide range of careers – you can be a database administrator, data analyst, data engineer, data scientist, and machine learning engineer. Even if you are looking to build a career in web development, mobile development, systems programming, or any form of development, you will need SQL while building a wide range of applications. In addition, even non-IT professionals like product managers, marketers and financial experts need SQL for their jobs.

  • SQL Is a Massive Improvement over Excel

Do you use Excel for data storage and manipulation? How often does it crash when you have too many rows in a spreadsheet?

SQL allows you to work with relational databases. These databases allow you to store millions of rows of data – you no longer have to worry about crashes. 

Also, you can save and re-use SQL queries for similar tasks, thus saving a significant amount of time. On the contrary, Excel forces you to repeat the same steps again. 

Lean towards learning SQL if you are a finance and accounting professional and your job requires you to unify multiple fragmented reports into standardized formats. By using SQL, you get to clean up the data at scale, combine various reports with a common field, and export data into a convenient format, which you can use in a spreadsheet.

  • SQL Aligns Well With the Cloud

As the cloud architectures steadily replace on-premises architecture, SQL is one of the skills that continue to remain relevant. Search about the cloud platforms that rely on SQL and you will find two of the leading IT names using it – Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud Platform. Similarly, AWS, the pioneer of cloud computing, offers SQL support in its Amazon’s Relational Database Service (RDS). Hence, even if NoSQL applications become popular, SQL is expected to continue its dominance with the emergence of newer technologies. 

  • SQL Lets You Access Important Information Quickly

Today, businesses work with millions of cells of data, distributed across various data sources. From customer information to product pricing, this data is integral for making key business decisions. 

For instance, if an organization wants to determine the number of customer orders during a major sale, SQL lets them retrieve this information within seconds. This data can show crucial insights, empowering you to run the same sales strategy in a different region and meet your target quickly. If your company is not using SQL properly, consider learning it, so you can add value by pulling relevant information from large datasets. 

  • SQL Prevents Fraudulent Transactions

Operations and support professionals utilize SQL to minimize credit card fraud by monitoring and analyzing transactions. For instance, brands, such as Privacy.com work with SQL to identify transactions created by a malicious third-party. These records are flagged and deleted from business reports. In this way, you get to save lots of time and eliminate fraudulent activities in the future, getting your company out of the harm’s way. 

Where to Learn SQL?

To sum up, adding an extra skill to your portfolio always helps and if that skill turns out to be SQL, you have a lot to gain. SQL opens up opportunities in web development, digital marketing, and accounting. 

If SQL seems too complex, consider going through the courses of Cambridge Coding Courses. We have designed courses that empower anyone to learn – whether you are a curious child or an inquisitive senior citizen. 

Want to perfect the art of writing efficient queries? Cambridge Coding Courses can help you to make the most out of data.