Microsoft SQL Server Querying Data for Report Developers
This 3 day course is intended for students who need to familiarise themselves with the various querying techniques available to retrieve data from a Microsoft SQL Server database in a report authoring environment, whether that be through an implementation of Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services or similar reporting tool. No previous knowledge of the SQL language is assumed as the course is designed from the ground up, starting with basic queries and advancing to more complex querying methods. The last module (which is optional) will also give students the opportunity to put their SQL skills into practice by creating a simple report. On completion of the course students will be able to retrieve data using the SQL language and write effective queries for reporting purposes.
Students should ideally be familiar with basic programming concepts. They should also understand the fundamental design of relational databases including, but not restricted to, the purpose of primary and foreign keys, entity relationships, and data normalization.
Upon successful completion of the full course, students will be able to:
1. Introduction to SQL Server Databases
Objects in a SQL Server Database
Database Diagrams
Components of a SQL Server Database Table
2. Introduction to SQL and Transact-SQL
ANSI-SQL and Transact-SQL (T-SQL)
Categories of SQL Statements
T-SQL Scripts
Adding Comments to T-SQL Code
3. Using the SELECT Statement to Retrieve Data
Examine the Basic Syntax of the SELECT Statement
Using String Literals and Expressions
Retrieving Columns of Data from a Table
Using Aliases for Column Names
4. Filtering Rows of Data with the WHERE Clause
How to Use the WHERE Clause
Overview of Operators
Filter Data by Using Comparison Operators
Filter Data by Using String Comparisons
Filter Data by Using Logical Operators
Filter Data Using a Range of Values
Filter Data Using a List of Values
Filter Data with NULL Values
5. Formatting and Sorting Result Sets
Sorting Data Using the ORDER BY Clause
Eliminating Duplicate Rows with DISTINCT
Introducing Native SQL Server Functions
Functions Relating to NULL Values
Using the CASE Expression
6. Working with SQL Server Data Types
Native SQL Server Data Types
Working with Variables
Data Type Precedence
Implicit Data Type Conversions
Explicit Data Type Conversion Functions
Querying and Modifying Date and Time Data
Native SQL Server Date and Time Functions
7. Querying Data from Multiple Tables Using Joins
Introduction to Joins
Using Inner Joins
Using Outer Joins
Using Cross Joins
Using Aliases for Table Names
Joining More than Two Tables
Joining a Table to Itself (Self Join)
8. Summarizing Data Using Aggregate Functions
Using Aggregate Functions Native to SQL Server
Using Aggregate Functions with NULL Values
Grouping Summarized Data with GROUP BY
Filtering Grouped Data Using the HAVING Clause
9. Ranking Grouped Data
Ranking Data Using Ranking Functions
Using ROW_NUMBER
Using RANK
Using DENSE_RANK
Using NTILE
10. Combining and Limiting Result Sets
Combining Result Sets Using the UNION Operator
Limiting Result Sets Using the TOP Operator
11. Working with Subqueries
Introduction to Subqueries
Using Subqueries as Expressions and Derived Tables
Introducing Correlated Subqueries
Using EXISTS with Correlated Subqueries
Introducing Temporary Tables
12. Controlling Program Execution
Control-of-Flow Language Statements
13. Implementing Stored Procedures
Overview of Stored Procedures
How Stored Procedures Are Executed by SQL Server
Creating and Using a Stored Procedure
Parameterizing Stored Procedures
14. Designing a Simple Report in SSRS (Optional)
Introducing SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS)
Creating a Report Project
Creating a Report
Creating a Data Source
Creating a Dataset
Designing a Basic Report