What is SQL?

What is SQL?

The term SQL stands for Structured Query Language, which is the language you would use to access and manipulate a database. This query language was adopted by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) in 1986 after being developed by Raymond Boyce and Donald Chamberlain in the 1970s. It is consistently used on a daily basis worldwide for a variety of tasks associated with a database. 

The basic components of an SQL include tables and records. Tables can be created, selected, and inserted, while data is either updated or deleted. Advanced features include mathematical functions, constraints, temp tables, and table joins, to name a few. Commands such as alter, update, create, drop, grant, delete, revoke, insert, and select are common. 

There are different versions of SQL, but they all pretty much use these same commands, albeit with some variations. Websites that include a database will need a database program in order to retrieve data, as well as a scripting language like PHP, along with HTML/CSS to display the data. 

SQL applications include little in the way of coding and they are open source. SQL is most often used by major database management system vendors like MySQL in a highly interactive environment where SQL is the standard language. It’s also great for portability and processing quickly, and known for the multiple data views it provides. 

What Types of Jobs Can I Get with SQL?

There exists a consistent demand for education and experience in SQL, from those just entering the vocation to advanced students with great experience. In fact, over 70% of software developers admit to using SQL to manipulate data in their profession. 

The median salary for developers who implement SQL was $53 per hour in 2020. That hourly rate continues to increase as SQL becomes more prevalent in the technological sector. Additional skills that are of use include creativity, a detail-oriented approach, interpersonal skills, problem-solving skills, analytical thinking, as well as effective communication.  

Here are some of the common types of jobs you can get with SQL education: 

• Data Scientist
• Business Intelligence Analyst
• Data Analyst
• Cloud Engineers 
• Database Administrator
• Software Developer
• Database Developer
• QA Tester
• Software Engineer
• SQL Server Developer
• Researcher 

SQL is one of the most popular technologies used by data scientists and analysts in a field that is expected to continue to thrive as the years go on. There are currently over 1.8 million jobs in this industry, with more being added on a daily basis. 

How Do I Learn SQL?

With the variety of free and paid resources out there to learn SQL, it’s important to take the time and see if this type of career fits your goals. This is one of the best ways you can prepare yourself to learn SQL.

For example, both LinkedIn and Codecademy offer certification courses in this particular aspect. Both of these certifications are widely recognized, though they may not have the same impact as a degree from an accredited university such as the California Institute of Arts & Technology (CIAT). CIAT’s data analytics programs offer SQL as part of the curriculum, and while free resources and self-education is certainly worthwhile, a recognized training and application of SQL with an established portfolio really requires a degree from an accredited school. Employers will appreciate that you spent your free time learning about SQL, but there is no substitute for hands-on experience. 

CIAT’s curriculum introduces students to relational databases and Structured Query Language (SQL), with the focus of using SQL using MySQL and MySQL Workbench. Students acquire foundational understanding of databases, how they are structured, and how transactions are performed on database. SQL language concepts concerning creating, reading, updating, and deleting data will be presented. Students will also be introduced to data types, tables, keys, relationships, functions, indexes, views, stored procedures, and optimization and replication. Upon completion of the course students will be able to understand how to create, modify, and maintain SQL databases to provide in-depth software-based solutions.

How to Land a Position in SQL as a Software Developer

Here at CIAT, we offer a variety of degree paths you can take in order to learn more about SQL and apply your knowledge to the real world. The individual courses within these paths also ready you for a challenging yet satisfying career where you can take your SQL knowledge and skills to the next level. 

For instance, our Associate’s of Applied Science Degree In Software Development provides students with the comprehensive coding training they need to excel in software, mobile app, and web development. After completing this degree path, students will be able to create, modify, and maintain SQL databases. 

In a similar approach, students who complete the Applied Bachelor’s degree in Software Development – Data Analytics Course will focus specifically on MySQL and SQL programming. Concepts include data types, tables, keys, relationships, functions, indexes, views, stored procedures, optimization, and replication. 

Introduction to databases is one of the first objects of study for the Associate of Applied Science in Business Data Analytics -Business Data Analytics Skills. Here, students will learn how to collect, format, and analyze large amounts of data with the help of programming languages. 

When it comes to software development, you can easily complete a degree program in as little as 7 and a half months. You’ll learn programming languages such as C++, HTML, CSS, and PHP, along with the knowledge you’ll need to succeed in a career as a software developer. In fact, most students who complete this program go on to be mobile app developers with the potential salary of $75,000 to $130,000 per year.  

Ready to get started in SQL? Contact an advisor today to learn more about how you can apply for admissions at the California Institute of Arts & Technology for a dynamic and rewarding career. We offer students a number of resources they can take advantage of in order to not only learn about SQL, but also land that dream job once they graduate.