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Database · SQL, data modeling, and reporting

SQL & Database

Learn relational database concepts and SQL from fundamentals to advanced querying, data modeling, optimization, and transaction management.

Move from database fundamentals to a Business Reporting Database project with normalized schemas, analytical queries, joins, views, indexes, transactions, and reporting-ready SQL.

Beginner to Advanced 6 Weeks 10 Modules Online / Classroom Business Reporting Database Project
Explore curriculum → View capstone project

Course overview

SQL is the standard language used to work with relational databases. It helps developers, analysts, and data professionals retrieve, insert, update, delete, organize, and analyze structured data.

This course introduces relational database concepts, SQL syntax, filtering, sorting, joins, aggregations, subqueries, common table expressions, database design, normalization, constraints, views, stored routines, indexes, query optimization, and transactions.

The proposed capstone is a Business Reporting Database covering a normalized sales database and analytical SQL reports for customers, products, orders, and revenue.

Good database work is more than writing queries. It requires clear data modeling, reliable constraints, readable SQL, appropriate indexing, and careful transaction handling.

Prerequisites

This course is designed for learners with basic computer knowledge. No prior database or SQL experience is required.

  • Basic computer knowledge.
  • Basic logical thinking.
  • Basic spreadsheet knowledge is helpful.
  • Basic English reading skills are helpful.
  • Basic programming knowledge is helpful but not required.
  • No prior SQL experience is required.

Readiness activity

Think of an online store. Identify the information it may need to store about customers, products, orders, and payments.

Who can explore this course?

Beginners

Learn SQL

Build practical SQL and database foundations.

Developers

Work with data

Strengthen backend and application-data skills.

Data learners

Analyze data

Learn querying and reporting with SQL.

Career changers

Enter data roles

Build a foundation for database and analytics pathways.

What you will learn

  • Explain relational database concepts and architecture.
  • Understand tables, rows, columns, keys, and relationships.
  • Write SELECT queries with filtering and sorting.
  • Use INSERT, UPDATE, and DELETE responsibly.
  • Use aliases, operators, and conditional logic.
  • Use INNER, LEFT, RIGHT, and self joins.
  • Use aggregate functions, GROUP BY, and HAVING.
  • Write subqueries and common table expressions.
  • Design normalized relational schemas.
  • Use primary keys, foreign keys, and constraints.
  • Create views and reusable database logic.
  • Use indexes and understand query performance.
  • Understand ACID properties and transaction handling.

Curriculum outline

The ten-module outline moves from database fundamentals to a Business Reporting Database project. Exact database platform, tools, and sample datasets should be confirmed before delivery.

01

Database fundamentals

Understand relational databases, tables, keys, and database architecture.

  • Data, information, and databases.
  • Relational database concepts.
  • Tables, rows, columns, and data types.
  • Primary keys and foreign keys.
  • Relationships and cardinality.
  • Database management systems.

Practice: Identify entities, attributes, and relationships for a simple online-store scenario.

02

SQL basics

Write foundational SQL queries for retrieving and modifying data.

  • SELECT statements.
  • WHERE filtering.
  • ORDER BY sorting.
  • DISTINCT and LIMIT.
  • Aliases and expressions.
  • INSERT, UPDATE, and DELETE.

Practice: Retrieve, filter, sort, and update records in a sample database.

03

Joins and relationships

Combine data from related tables using SQL joins.

  • INNER JOIN.
  • LEFT JOIN.
  • RIGHT JOIN.
  • Self join.
  • Multiple-table joins.
  • Join conditions and common errors.

Practice: Write queries that combine customers, orders, and products.

04

Aggregations and reporting

Summarize data using aggregate functions and grouping.

  • COUNT, SUM, AVG, MIN, and MAX.
  • GROUP BY.
  • HAVING.
  • Grouping by multiple columns.
  • Business reporting queries.
  • NULL handling.

Practice: Create reports for total sales, order counts, and average order value.

05

Subqueries and CTEs

Write advanced queries using nested queries and common table expressions.

  • Subqueries.
  • Correlated subqueries.
  • EXISTS and IN.
  • Common table expressions.
  • Multiple CTEs.
  • Query readability.

Practice: Find top customers, repeat buyers, and products with no sales using subqueries or CTEs.

05

Database design and normalization

Design reliable relational schemas with clear relationships and constraints.

  • Entities, attributes, and relationships.
  • Entity-relationship diagrams.
  • Primary and foreign keys.
  • Normalization concepts.
  • First, second, and third normal form.
  • Constraints and data integrity.

Practice: Design a normalized schema for customers, products, orders, and order items.

06

Views and stored routines

Create reusable database objects and logic.

  • Views.
  • View use cases.
  • Stored procedures.
  • Functions.
  • Triggers concepts.
  • Reusable database logic.

Practice: Create a view for monthly sales and explain when it should be used.

06

Indexes and performance

Improve query performance using indexes and optimization techniques.

  • Index concepts.
  • Primary and secondary indexes.
  • Composite indexes.
  • Query plans.
  • Common performance issues.
  • Optimization practices.

Practice: Analyze a slow query and recommend an appropriate index.

07

Transactions and data integrity

Understand how transactions protect data consistency.

  • Transactions.
  • ACID properties.
  • COMMIT and ROLLBACK.
  • Isolation levels.
  • Concurrency concepts.
  • Data-integrity risks.

Practice: Demonstrate a transaction that transfers an amount between two accounts and rolls back on failure.

08

Capstone delivery

Complete the Business Reporting Database project and prepare a professional demonstration.

  • Define the business scenario and reporting needs.
  • Design a normalized relational schema.
  • Create tables, keys, and constraints.
  • Insert controlled sample data.
  • Write analytical SQL queries.
  • Create joins, aggregations, and CTE-based reports.
  • Create useful views.
  • Add appropriate indexes.
  • Demonstrate transaction handling.
  • Document the schema, queries, and results.

Practice: Submit a complete Business Reporting Database with schema, sample data, SQL scripts, reports, and documentation.

Practical exercise ideas

Complete these smaller activities before assembling the final Business Reporting Database project.

Modeling

ER diagram

Design an ER diagram for a simple store database.

Queries

Customer reports

Write queries for customer orders and spending.

Joins

Order details

Combine orders, products, and customers using joins.

Aggregations

Sales summary

Create monthly and product-level sales summaries.

CTEs

Top customers

Identify top customers using CTEs and rankings.

Performance

Index analysis

Analyze a query and recommend an index.

Suggested six-week learning plan

This is an illustrative learning sequence. Confirm the academy's official timetable, database platform, tools, datasets, and assessment requirements before publishing.

Weekly focus and practical milestones
Week Focus Suggested milestone
01 Database and SQL fundamentals Create tables and write basic SQL queries.
02 Joins and relationships Combine data from multiple related tables.
03 Aggregations and reporting Create business summary reports.
04 Subqueries, CTEs, and database design Design a normalized schema and write advanced queries.
05 Views, indexes, and transactions Create views, analyze performance, and use transactions.
06 Capstone presentation Submit and present the Business Reporting Database.
Turn business data into useful reports

Capstone project

Business Reporting Database

Design a normalized sales database and produce analytical SQL reports for customers, products, orders, and revenue. Possible business scenarios include an online store, retail business, subscription service, library, school, or another suitable educational use case.

Core project requirements

  • Define the business scenario and reporting needs.
  • Identify entities, attributes, and relationships.
  • Create an ER diagram or schema diagram.
  • Design a normalized relational schema.
  • Create tables with suitable data types.
  • Use primary keys, foreign keys, and constraints.
  • Insert controlled and realistic sample data.
  • Write SELECT queries with filtering and sorting.
  • Use joins to combine related tables.
  • Use aggregate functions, GROUP BY, and HAVING.
  • Use subqueries or CTEs for analytical questions.
  • Create at least two useful views.
  • Add appropriate indexes.
  • Demonstrate a transaction with commit and rollback.
  • Document the schema, queries, assumptions, and results.

Quality requirements

  • Use meaningful table and column names.
  • Use suitable data types for each column.
  • Use primary keys for every table.
  • Use foreign keys to maintain relationships.
  • Use constraints to protect data integrity.
  • Use normalized design where appropriate.
  • Use readable and consistently formatted SQL.
  • Use meaningful aliases and comments where helpful.
  • Use controlled sample data, not real personal data.
  • Use appropriate indexes based on query patterns.
  • Use transactions for multi-step data changes.
  • Use views for reusable reporting logic.
  • Document assumptions, limitations, and next steps.

A strong reporting database should have a clear schema, reliable constraints, readable queries, appropriate indexes, and reports that answer real business questions.

Suggested project structure

Keep schema design, sample data, queries, views, reports, and documentation organized.

business-reporting-database/
├── 01-design/
│   ├── er-diagram.png
│   ├── schema-design.md
│   └── data-dictionary.xlsx
├── 02-database/
│   ├── 01-create-database.sql
│   ├── 02-create-tables.sql
│   ├── 03-insert-sample-data.sql
│   └── 04-create-indexes.sql
├── 03-queries/
│   ├── customer-reports.sql
│   ├── product-reports.sql
│   ├── order-reports.sql
│   └── revenue-reports.sql
├── 04-views/
│   ├── monthly-sales-view.sql
│   └── customer-summary-view.sql
├── 05-transactions/
│   └── transaction-examples.sql
├── 06-reports/
├── README.md
└── .gitignore

Do not commit real customer data, personal information, production credentials, or confidential business records to a public repository.

Database workflow

Database projects are iterative. New reporting needs, data-quality issues, performance problems, and business changes may require updates to the schema, queries, indexes, or views.

Understand

Define business needs

Identify entities, reports, and data requirements.

Design

Model the data

Create entities, relationships, keys, and constraints.

Build

Create the database

Create tables, constraints, indexes, and sample data.

Query

Analyze data

Write joins, aggregations, and reporting queries.

Optimize

Improve performance

Review query plans, indexes, and query design.

Protect

Maintain integrity

Use constraints, transactions, backups, and access controls.

Normalization reduces duplicate data and improves consistency, while indexes can improve query performance when chosen based on real query patterns.

Tools and technologies

The exact database platform and tools may vary by delivery. The proposed toolkit focuses on practical relational database and SQL workflows.

  • SQL
  • MySQL concepts
  • PostgreSQL concepts
  • MySQL Workbench
  • DBeaver
  • ER diagrams
  • Database schemas
  • SQL scripts
  • Views
  • Indexes
  • Transactions
  • Query plans

Supporting concepts

  • Relational databases, tables, keys, and relationships.
  • SQL querying, filtering, sorting, and data modification.
  • Joins, aggregations, subqueries, and CTEs.
  • Database design, normalization, and constraints.
  • Views, stored routines, indexes, and optimization.
  • Transactions, ACID properties, and data integrity.

Learning outcomes

By completing the proposed lessons and exercises, aim to demonstrate the following abilities:

  • Explain relational database concepts.
  • Write reliable SQL queries.
  • Use joins and aggregate functions.
  • Write subqueries and common table expressions.
  • Design normalized relational schemas.
  • Use primary keys, foreign keys, and constraints.
  • Create views and reusable database logic.
  • Use indexes and analyze query performance.
  • Understand transactions and ACID properties.
  • Build and present a reporting-ready database project.

These are learning objectives, not guarantees of employment, certification, placement, or a specific database role. Progress depends on practice, logical thinking, data understanding, and continued learning.

Related career interests

Illustrative directions for continued learning, not job or placement guarantees.

  • SQL Developer
  • Database Developer
  • Data Analyst
  • Backend Developer
  • Database Administrator Trainee
  • Business Intelligence Trainee
  • Reporting Analyst

Portfolio presentation ideas

  • Explain the business scenario and reporting needs.
  • Show the ER diagram and normalized schema.
  • Explain tables, keys, relationships, and constraints.
  • Present analytical queries and report results.
  • Explain views, indexes, and transaction handling.
  • Discuss limitations and future improvements.

Frequently asked questions

Who is this course for?

It is suitable for beginners, developers, data learners, career changers, and anyone who wants to learn SQL and relational databases.

Do I need programming experience?

No. Basic computer knowledge is sufficient. Basic programming or spreadsheet knowledge can be helpful.

Do I need prior SQL experience?

No. The course starts with database and SQL fundamentals.

Which database is used?

The proposed course includes MySQL and PostgreSQL concepts. Confirm the academy's selected database platform before enrollment.

Will the course cover joins?

Yes. It covers INNER JOIN, LEFT JOIN, RIGHT JOIN, self joins, and multiple-table joins.

Will the course cover aggregations?

Yes. It covers COUNT, SUM, AVG, MIN, MAX, GROUP BY, HAVING, and reporting queries.

Will the course cover subqueries and CTEs?

Yes. It covers subqueries, correlated subqueries, EXISTS, IN, and common table expressions.

Will the course cover database design?

Yes. It covers entities, relationships, ER diagrams, primary keys, foreign keys, constraints, and normalization.

Will the course cover indexes?

Yes. It covers index concepts, primary and secondary indexes, composite indexes, query plans, and optimization.

Will the course cover transactions?

Yes. It covers transactions, ACID properties, COMMIT, ROLLBACK, isolation levels, and concurrency concepts.

What is the capstone project?

The proposed capstone is a Business Reporting Database covering a normalized sales database and analytical SQL reports for customers, products, orders, and revenue.

Which tools are used?

The proposed tools include MySQL or PostgreSQL, MySQL Workbench, DBeaver, SQL scripts, ER diagrams, and query-plan tools. Confirm the academy's selected tools before enrollment.

How long is the course?

The supplied course information proposes a duration of six weeks. Confirm the academy's official schedule, tools, datasets, and assessment requirements.

Does this course guarantee a job?

No. The course can support practical learning and portfolio development, but it does not guarantee employment, placement, certification, or salary.

How do I enroll?

This page is a frontend course-information demonstration. Enrollment, payment, scheduling, and admission workflows are not implemented here.

Turn data into useful insight

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Study relational databases, SQL querying, data modeling, joins, reporting, optimization, and transactions through a practical portfolio project.

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