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Introduction to Databases and SQL

4.7 (138 reviews)

Discover how databases work and how to use SQL in this introductory course. Supported by Google.

15,302 enrolled on this course

Introduction to Databases and SQL
Overview
Syllabus
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Learn about databases and how to use SQL to search and manipulate data

On this course from the Raspberry Pi Foundation you’ll learn what databases are and why we use them, exploring how to use SQL to search and manipulate data.

Along the way, you’ll learn about primary keys and table relationships, as well as how to create joins to search multiple tables. In the final week, you’ll finish by grouping and looking at exporting data from the database.

Learning about databases and SQL is a key component of Computer Science, so it’s important for educators, students, and parents alike to feel confident about the subject.

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Skip to 0 minutes and 2 seconds Databases are essential to computing. They underpin everything from search engines to social media, but what is a database? How can you search a database and edit the data inside it? How can you use a programming language to analyse data? This free course will teach you about the differences between spreadsheets and databases. You’ll learn about the importance of primary keys, and you’ll explore the relationships between data across different tables. You’ll take part in practical activities to edit the data within your own computer sales database, and use your new skills to analyse a set of data to search for trends. This three week course also contains peer led discussions, training interaction, and feedback on your knowledge as you progress.

Skip to 0 minutes and 53 seconds You can learn whenever and wherever you want. So whether you’re a teacher with students of your own or simply want to boost your programming skills, this course will help you to take your first steps in using databases and SQL. Sign up now at rpf.io/databases.

Syllabus

  • Week 1

    What is a database?

    • What is a database?

      Discover where and when you use databases in the real world and why they are useful in everyday life.

    • Explore a database

      Explore a real example of an SQL database. Browse tables within the database and start to add new data.

    • Databases in society

      Check your understanding of databases so far and think about where they may be used.

  • Week 2

    SQL

    • Introduction to SQL

      Explore what Structured Query Language is and how to use it to interact with a database.

    • Reading data within a database

      Create your first SQL statement. Use SQL to return data from your database, and filter and order the data to make it more meaningful.

    • Modifying data within a database

      Learn about primary keys and how they are used within your database, as well as how to insert, update, and delete data from a database.

  • Week 3

    Modifying a database

    • Adapting databases

      Explore how to adapt your computer sales database to expand its purpose.

    • Relationships

      Learn about how tables relate to each other and how to use joins in SQL statements to select data from multiple related tables.

    • Data analytics

      Explore data analytics and why it is useful. Learn how to use SQL to answer important questions, and learn how to export data from your database to use elsewhere.

When would you like to start?

Start straight away and learn at your own pace. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.

Learning on this course

If you'd like to take part while our educators are leading the course, they'll be joining the discussions, in the comments, between these dates:

  • 4 Oct 2021 - 25 Oct 2021

On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

  • Produce SQL statements to search and update a database
  • Explain the comparison of databases to spreadsheets
  • Apply filters in SQL statements
  • Demonstrate how to use SQL statements to create relationships for tables in a database
  • Produce SQL statements to search across multiple tables
  • Explain the key terms used to describe databases

Who is the course for?

This course is designed for learners who haven’t used or created a database and SQL before but would like to learn how to. This could include teachers delivering lessons up to GCSE level or equivalent, as well as students and parents.

What software or tools do you need?

To take part in the course you will need to be able to download a files from the internet and either have access to the website sqliteonline.com or be able to install the application DB Browser

What do people say about this course?

The course has made me feel more confident about SQL and databases.

"Having been able to follow the course, in spite of being a total beginner, has made me feel more confident and interested in learning about SQL and databases. "

Linda R. Smith Domínguez

Who will you learn with?

Matt Hogan

Hi I am Matt. I love being a Learning Manager for Key Stage 4 at The Raspberry Pi Foundation. I feel privileged to support the computing education community from across the world.

Who developed the course?

Raspberry Pi Foundation

The Raspberry Pi Foundation works to put the power of digital making into the hands of people all over the world, so they are capable of understanding and shaping our increasingly digital world.

National Centre for Computing Education

National Centre for Computing Education courses

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