Database basics

• Thinking like a database
• Basic queries
• Tables and views
• Grouping and aggregation

Query performance

• Selecting the proper datatype
• Indexes and statistics
• Advanced index types: Columnstore, XML, Indexed Views

Advanced queries

• Subqueries
• Common Table Expressions
• XML and JSON in the database
• In-memory tables

Writing code inside the database

• Procedures Functions
• Variables
• Loops and control structures
• Error handling
• In-memory procedures

Troubleshooting

• How to see what SQL Server is doing
• Performance pitfalls
• SQL injection prevention

Tools for SQL Server development

• Visual Studio
• Management Studio
• Source control

Data is more critical to companies than ever before. Relational database systems like Microsoft SQL Server are the backbone of many applications that collect and process this data. However, databases don’t work like other programming systems. To get the best performance from your data-reliant applications, you need to learn to think like the database.

In this bootcamp-style course, you’ll gain an understanding of how the database works and how to leverage its strengths to make your applications even more powerful. We’ll use the Microsoft SQL Server platform to illustrate the concepts common to programming most relational database systems, and we’ll dive into some of SQL Server’s unique abilities that make it one of the most popular and powerful database platforms. This workshop will be highly interactive – students will have plenty of time to practice what they’re learning on a daily basis.

At the end of this workshop, you will:

• Understand how the database processes the code you write – and how it’s different than what you’re used to
• Be able to create basic objects in the database
• Know how to write code that runs in the database
• Have tools available to troubleshoot your database queries and code
• Know some of the advanced tools that are available in SQL Server

Students enrolling in this course are assumed to have either classroom or professional experience in programming. Previous database experience is not required.

Students are required to bring their own laptop with plenty of free space on the hard drive. We plan to provide virtual machines to all students with all of the tools required.

Ed Leighton-Dick is a Microsoft Data Platform MVP and SQL Server performance and architecture specialist with over 25 years of experience in development, database administration, and system administration. He is the founder and principal consultant for Kingfisher Technologies, a consultancy focused on SQL Server performance, reliability, and security. Ed volunteers his time with PASS, including roles as Midwest Regional Mentor, Chapter Leader of I-380 PASS SQL Server User Group, and organizer of SQLSaturday Iowa City. He can often be found teaching sessions at local, regional, and national events, including user groups, SQLSaturday, Iowa Code Camp, Prairie.Code(), 24 Hours of PASS, and PASS Summit.

SQL 501 – Cedar Rapids

Interested in SQL 501? Email us to let us know!

Punctuality, participation in discussions, completion of assignments, and demonstration of professional courtesy to others are required. Attendance will be taken at the beginning of the workshop. Passing requires attendance to the full workshop.

Can’t attend the workshop after you register? We will refund tuition paid for Code 501 workshops, but only if you notify us of your cancellation before 12:00 p.m. on the day before the workshop.