In this information age, data makes the world go round. This is due to the fact that virtually every process, commercial or otherwise produces data that can be used as a means of receiving more insight into that process. The term ‘process’ may refer to manufacturing, sales, IT operations, Healthcare or financial services. In order to receive insight from the data these processes produce, the data must first be collected before they can be interacted with.

The collection of data is handled by database software applications while a data administrator is responsible for storing, managing, and organizing the collected data. Today, data administration plays a key role in almost every industry and it is responsible for producing some of the highest paying jobs in IT according to statistics from Robert Half. In this post, the strategic importance of database administration will be explored in detail.

So what exactly is database administration?

Although the introductory paragraphs paint a picture of what database administration is and highlights its importance in the IT industry, it does not define exactly what database administration is. Therefore, let’s get started with a definition. Database administration is the functions involved with managing and maintaining a database management system. The maintenance and management functions are handled by a database administrator who ensures that the database in the system is always available.

From the above definition, it is easy to see that three important parameters are involved with database administrative processes. And these parameters include; data, a database management system and a database administrator. Data, as we all know, is collected information while a database management system is a software application system that enables users to create, maintain and control access to a database. Examples of database systems are Oracle, Microsoft SQL Server, and IBM DB2. The database administrator is the user who controls and coordinates the database management system.

Lastly, databases are warehouses of information where large numbers of inter-related data can be stored or are stored. Databases can be categorized as relational databases, graph databases, and document databases. A relational database is one that is structured to recognize existing relationships among the information stored in the system. A graph database uses graphs to store and show/highlight information while a document database uses documents to store and represent information.

Benefits of Database Administration

Now that we have our definitions in place, this leaves us with the question of how important is database administration? In order to answer this question, the five most important benefits of data administration to businesses and other organizations will be highlighted. These benefits will be strategically spread across some industries to make them more relatable to you.

Enhances Decision-Making Processes

Effective data administration where data is well managed, access is available and qualify information is generated, provides the needed framework for making the right decisions. This can help organizations that deal with multiple production or operational processes receive insight from the data generated by each process. That insight can then be used to make quick decisions or even automate machines to take their own decisions.

A great example of where effective data administration can help ease the decision-making process for managers as well as machines is the manufacturing industry. Today, the manufacturing industry is in flux due to the development of Industry 4.0 processes where the end game is to develop smart factories that are fully automated. And in order to accomplish this, machines have to be integrated with smart devices which will produce the data needed to automate manufacturing processes.

But before any automation can occur, the data from client orders, available production materials, and the capacity of manufacturing machines must first be collected and analyzed. This is where data administration has an important role to play.

With the right database management system, the number of materials and the time taken to complete an order can be known with ease. This will in turn help manufacturers meet production deadlines, cut material waste, and make helpful decisions. And according to PWC, manufacturers are beginning to see the advantage of data administration and this has led to increased investment in database systems and administrative tools.

Increases Productivity of End-User

Making use of an excellent data management system can help increase productivity across the different departments of a business. This is due to the fact that the database administrator ensures that the data needed to make a decision is always available and can be speedily accessed. For example, the operations in e-commerce can be made to be a seamless activity for both the shopper and the business owner in multiple ways.

One of these ways, in which data administration and a functional database can help e-commerce owners prepare better for rush-hour shopping activities that may occur during Black Friday. A functional database can take into consideration the number of items in your inventory and match it to the incoming demand with ease. Database management tools can then be used to notify both the shop owners and prospective shoppers about the availability of an item. This will save the business owner valuable time which can be put to use elsewhere.

Also, e-commerce owners can plan better for a spike in traffic to their platforms due to increased demands with an effective database management system. The database administrator can program the system to intuitively access supporting IT infrastructure if customer requests exceed the capacity of the current infrastructure. All this is made possible from the insight gotten from collected data. Therefore, with an excellent data administrative framework in place, the e-commerce sector can drastically reduce downtime. This will, in turn, increase the productivity of the end-user.

Maintains Collected Data Integrity and Security

According to a Gartner report, the cybersecurity challenges the world would face in the coming years is expected to grow on a yearly basis. This means that the cybersecurity attacks such as the WannaCry Ransomware that hit the UK’s NHIS in 2018, would be nothing compared to what we will experience in 2019. And the Ryuk Ransomware attack that occurred while we rang in the New Year is a testament to the prior sentence.

Therefore, for organizations interested in keeping their data safe, an effective data administration policy must be initiated and implemented. A database system deployed with strict control over who can access the data in the system can play a role in limiting human errors which can lead to successful cyber-attacks. These access controls include implementing authentication and encryption that ensure sensitive customer data are safely kept.

An example of an industry they can benefit from effective data administration and the security it provides is the healthcare industry. Modern database systems already integrate authentication features that deny access to critical information from anyone without the required clearance. These databases also integrate auto backup and restore features to ensure that sensitive data is never lost in the event of a system crash or human errors.

Enhances Collaboration and Sharing among Multiple Stakeholders

database management systems are equipped to share the same data across multiple applications and end-users. This process is made possible by the administrator who can put a mechanism in place to allow users to access the same data while ensuring only one user can make any modification at a particular time. This simplifies the process of collaboration, sharing and working with the same data in some industries.

An example of such an industry is the construction industry where multiple parties work on one project. These parties may include; an architect, the engineers, quality control officers, and material suppliers. An effective database management system can be used to streamline the process to ensure the architect makes changes to building plans using the information the engineer provides. This sharing and collaboration process can also happen in real-time if the right data administration tools are used to drive collaboration.

In other situations, an effective database management process can be used to streamline the material delivery process just in time to meet the demand of the construction team. This will also enhance productivity and reduce waste as the supply will provide the exact amount of building materials needed in the right quantity and at the right time.

Predict Customer Behavioural Pattern to Enhance Sales

The ability to carry out any predictive analysis is made possible by database management systems and effective data administration policies. With the data collected from existing customers in a database, business owners can predict a client’s personal preferences and proceed to offer or stock items the customer is more likely to appreciate. As always, the database administrator will be required to set up and maintain the database while a data analyst may be required to extrapolate accurate predictions from the collected data.

An example of a business that uses its data and database in such a way is Netflix. The Netflix Keystone Data Pipeline is basically a database Netflix uses to streamline and manage the data produced by millions of subscribers on its platform. But Netflix has also found other ways to make this data count and one of these ways involves predicting the TV series and movies an audience will find captivating.

This predictive analysis has led to the diverse shows currently on the platform and the over 100million subscribers on Netflix. Predictive analysis has also played a role in determining the type of movies Netflix produces and this has lead to the creation of blockbusters such as Bird Box. Other e-commerce business he also applied predictive analytics to their database and have successfully increased sales.

Understanding the Roles and Responsibilities of a Database Administrator

The performance of a database management system is only as good as the Database Administrator (DBA) personnel handling it. This is why the database administrator is one of the most important pieces in the puzzle of database administration. Therefore, it is only right that a clear explanation of the duties of a database administrator is explained in detail.

The database administrator is tasked with the performance, security, and integrity of a database. This, in a nutshell, means the administrator will be involved with the planning and development of databases as well as handling any database-related issues that come up during the dispensation of his or her duties. Now, looking at the specifics associated with a database administrators role, we have:

• Map out Conceptual Designs for a Database – The planning of a database is the responsibility of the DBA and he or she will be responsible for coming up with conceptual ideas on the management system and parameters to be integrated into the system.
• Monitoring User Access – A DBA is tasked with ensuring that the data in a database management system is constant throughout its use and users can access this data in forms that suit particular needs. The administrator will also be responsible for defining how users can access a database. The database administrator will also be tasked with ensuring front-end users can access information without encountering any problems.
• Enhancing Data Security – A DBA is also expected to maintain the security of the database and that of the users making use of it. This task also includes making sure that the planned or designed database is compliant with the Data Protection Act. Lastly, in terms of security, the administrator is expected to develop a disaster recovery strategy that can protect the database management system in precarious security situations.
• Manage Storage and Back-up Solutions – The database administrator is also responsible for ensuring the storage and archiving features meet the capacity requirements of the organization. The DBA must also ensure that storage procedures are functioning properly and the data in these systems are correctly backed up.
• Collaborate with Stakeholders – A database administrator is also expected to have good interpersonal skills due to the fact that he or she will be expected to communicate with IT programmers, software developers, multimedia programmers and other individuals that maintain the IT infrastructures of an organization.

To accomplish the above tasks, a database administrator will require certain tools and applications to execute the roles and responsibilities attached to managing a database system. And in the next paragraphs, the tools required for database administration includes the following tools:

The Must-Have Tools for Database Administration

To be able to successfully deploy, manage, and maintain a database, with the aim of getting some of the benefits listed above, a database administrator must have some fundamental tools. And in this section, some of these tools will be outlined, as well as, what makes them fundamental tools for a successful data administration process. The must-have tools include:

Data Modelling Tools – Data modeling is the process of analyzing data objects to determine their relationship with other data objects. Data modeling is an important step when designing databases and to accomplish the task of designing a conceptual model of data relationships, data modeling tools are needed. There are diverse data modeling tools you can choose to work with and some of the better options include the following:

• Power Designer – Is a great modeling tool that was built to cater to both technical and non-technical audiences. It is equipped with an intuitive interface and supports a powerful metadata repository and multiple output formats.
• ER/Studio – This is a versatile data modeling tool that supports single and multiplatform environments. It can also be integrated into Big Data platforms with ease.

Performance Monitoring and Alerting Tools – Monitoring tools are also known as application monitoring tools and their purpose is to help the database administrator monitor the different applications the administrator intends to work with. This ensures that the database’s ability to collect and organize data remains intact. Examples of performance monitoring tools include the following:

• SolarWind SQL Server
• Sentry One and
• SQL Power Tools

SQL Editors – The structured query language is a domain-specific language used in programming and designed for managing data held in a relational database management system (RDBMS), or for stream processing in a relational data stream management system (RDSMS). Therefore, it is necessary that you have the required tools needed to write and edit SQL files or scripts. You can learn more about SQL editors in this article but some examples include:

• DBeaver
• MySQL Workshop
• Postico

Benchmarking Tools – In order to load test components or the entire database management system to determine how the system will perform in real-time, a benchmarking tool is required to execute the test. Therefore, an IT administrator is expected to know and have the best benchmarking tools for this process. Some options to consider include:

• HammerDB
• Benchmark Factory

Backup and Recovery Tools – In order to mitigate the problems that arise from data losses, the database administrator is expected to put a backup and data restore process in place. This process involves archiving data in an accessible format and place which makes retrieval of lost data possible. Examples of Backup and database restoration tools include the following options:

• APEX SQL Backup
• SQL Backup Master

Final thought

In summary, the benefits of database administration for your business processes are many and varied. They include receiving business insight, automating production factories, enhancing productivity and much more. This is why it is recommended that business owners should consider working with a database administrator who will be tasked with setting up a database system that will get your data to work for you!

In the age of information, it should come as no surprise that one of the most in-demand jobs is the ability to manage data, analyze it, and derive insight from data. This is because the information age is driven by the big data sets produced from diverse business processes and ongoing operations in today’s physical and virtual offices. To adequately manage data, one of the tools every analyst will require is the Structured Query Language fondly known as (SQL).

If you’re reading this, it is quite obvious you already know what SQL is but for the sake of anyone looking to kick-start a career in database management let us define it. Search Query Language is a domain-specific language used in designing and programming managed data stored in relational database management systems. SQL has grown to become the dominant language of choice due to two major advantages. First, it introduced the concept of accessing many records or data using a single command which is something older languages such as ISAM or VSAM could not accomplish. The second advantage is that it eliminates the need to specify how to access a record.

Today, many query languages with the features SQL offers exist but it still remains the language of choice for many vendors, data managers, developers, and businesses. Thus, if interested in a career in database management, some knowledge of SQL is important to your pursuit. This post will explore why and 15 SQL-related questions to know before stepping into any interview or office space to clinch that dream job.

Top 15 Questions and Queries Relating to SQL You Should Know

As always, a successful interview outing is determined by the amount of effort you have put into practicing and preparing for the D-day. And to practice effectively, the fifteen questions outlined here should help. The answers to these questions have also been provided and you can choose to customize these answers anyhow they fit.

What is SQL and What is a Database

As with every process, questioning starts with the easiest questions to ease the interviewee into the process. So do not be surprised to come across this question. To answer these questions, a brief definition of what these concepts or terms consist of should be given and if time permits, a brief example of their use should be included in your answer.

The Answer to this is – SQL is an acronym for Structured Query Language and it is a language that can be used to communicate with a database. A database is a structured form of data that is stored in an organized manner in a storage center. An SQL is a language that can be used to access the data stored within a database, as well as manage the data. For example, SQL can be used to create a database of information stored in tabular form. It can also be used to access database information and manipulate them according to specific requirements.

 Does SQL Support Programming Language Features?

This question intends to compare SQL with more traditional programming languages. For individuals not well-versed with other programming languages, this could be seen as a trick question. Therefore, the answer to it must describe the programmable features of SQL and contrast it with languages such as C#.

The answer to this is – SQL is a language but it does not support programming in its traditional sense. This means while SQL has command lines that can be used to query, update, or delete data in a database, it cannot be used to execute conditional statements such as looping. This makes SQL more of a command language than the traditional programming language.

Some differences worthy of note between SQL and complete programming languages include:

1. SQL is a data-oriented and declarative language while complete programming languages are procedural in nature.
2. SQL is primarily used for creating and managing databases while programming languages are used for creating applications.
3. SQL tells a database what to do by executing one statement at a time while programming languages tell applications or databases how to execute tasks using blocks of codes or statements.

What is the Difference Between ‘BETWEEN and IN’ operators?

This question is pretty straightforward as it attempts to determine if you understand how simple queries function. The answer to this should include a definition of the operators and a brief analysis of how they can be applied when querying databases.

The answer to this is – The BETWEEN operator is generally used to fetch rows based on a range of specified values. This means the operator will fetch all the rows between two specified values. An example of this is when a BETWEEN Operator is used in accessing a database of 40 rows. The operator can be used to fetch the data between any two rows such as between row 20 to row 35.

On the other hand, the IN operator is used to check or fetch values within a specified set. This means when accessing a database with 40 rows, the IN operator can be used to fetch the data in row 19, 22, and 28 without hassle.

Name two Different Types of Case Manipulation Functions Available in SQL

There are three types of case manipulation functions that can be used in SQL. This question expects you to list them and highlight their specific functions to prove you have insight into how SQL works. This means your answer should not only name the types of case manipulation function but it should also define their functions.

The answer to this is – The answer to this should consist of two of the case manipulation functions in SQL. This includes the LOWER, UPPER, and INTCAP case functions. The functions they serve involves:

LOWER – The LOWER case manipulation function’s purpose is to return strings in lower case. The function takes a string as an argument and manipulates the string or converts it into lower case alphabets.

UPPER – The UPPER case manipulation function returns strings in upper case. This means it takes a string as an argument and converts it to upper case alphabets.

INTCAP – The INTCAP case manipulation function returns strings with the first letter in upper case form and the other letters as lower case letters. This means it takes a string as an argument and converts its first letter to upper case and its remaining letters to lower case letters.

When you use the term Data definition language and Data manipulation language, what do you mean?

This question also intends to assess your understanding of the different concepts in SQL. Thus, the answer should define what both concepts mean and provide examples if time permits.

The answer to this is – The first concept, ‘Data definition language’ is a language that allows you to execute queries such as CREAT, DROP, and ALTER when using SQL. This means executing queries that actually define data. Data manipulation language is used to manipulate the data stored within a database. Both languages are also popularly known with their acronyms which is DDL for data definition language and DML for manipulation language.

Data manipulation language allows you to perform diverse functions such as the following: inserting data or rows into a database, delete data from the database, retrieve or fetch data, update data in a database.

What is a Join statement in SQL and define the different types of Joins?

This question will be asked if the interviewer intends to know more about your ability to use SQL to manipulate and manage a database. The answer you provide is expected to define what join statements are and how its different types function when used.

The answer to this is –  Join statements in SQL can be defined as statements used to combine the data or rows contained in two or more tables based on a common field between these tables. There are different types of join statements that can be used in SQL and they include:

INNER JOIN – The inner join statement or keywords is used to select the rows from both tables or multiple tables that meet the condition it specifies. The INNER JOIN keyword will create a result set that combines the rows from tables that meet the specified condition.

LEFT JOIN – The LEFT JOIN statement or keyword, which is also known as the LEFT OUTER JOIN, returns all the rows from the table located at the left side of the JOIN, as well as, the rows at the right side of the join that match. If there happen to be no matching rows at the right side of the join, the result-set will be null for these rows.

RIGHT JOIN – The RIGHT JOIN, RIGHT OUTER JOIN or keyword does the opposite of the LEFT JOIN and this is returning the rows from the table located at the right side of the JOIN and the rows at the left side of the join that matches the returned rows from the right. If there are no matching rows at the left side of the join, the result-set will also be null for the left rows.

FULL JOIN – The FULL JOIN statement creates result-sets that combines the end result of both the LEFT and RIGHT OUTER JOIN statements into a result-set. This means the result-set will consist of all the rows from the RIGHT JOIN and LEFT JOIN and null values will also be retained for rows that do not match.

What is an Index or a Database Index?

This question attempts to assess your ability to speed up queries when using SQL within a database. Thus, the answer should define what an index is and demonstrate its use.

The answer to this is – A database index can be defined as a structure that enhances the speed at which data retrieval operations within a database occurs. To accomplish the task of increasing the speed of data retrievals, a database index uses more resources such as storage space to maintain extra copies of data.

Indexes are created on tables and they require extra disc space to store data but when created, accessing these indexes is achieved more quickly than when searching the entire database. Thus, they are generally used to speed up the search for frequently searched data or values.

What is the Difference Between CHAR and VARCHAR2 datatype in SQL?

This question attempts to assess your understanding of characters and how they are used in SQL. Your answer should define both options in such a way that their differences are highlighted.

The answer to this is – While both of these data types can be used to define characters, CHAR is used for character strings with defined or fixed lengths. On the other hand, VARCHAR2 is used for character strings with varying lengths.

This means if Char(4) is specified as the type used, then only characters with this specified length can be stored within this variable. If we use Varchar2(5), then it will allow for the storing of strings with varying lengths such as a string with a length of 2,3, and 4.

What is A Primary Key, Foreign Key, and a Unique Key?

Here again, the interviewer is interested in assessing your basic understanding of SQL and its functions. This is generally a question asked at the beginning of an interview due to its rather low difficulty level.

The answer to this is – A simple definition of primary and unique keys is enough to answer the question asked here. A primary key is a combination of fields that uniquely specify a row while a unique key refers to a constraint that uniquely identifies every record within a database. It is worth noting that primary keys are a special kind of unique keys and its value can’t be null.

A foreign key refers to a table that can be related to the primary key of another table. This makes it possible to define relationships between two tables in a database.

What are the Different Types of Index?

There are different types of indexes that can be used to enhance the speed at which records can be retrieved. There are different types of Indexes and they include the following:

Unique Index – The unique index ensure fields do not have duplicate values once a column is indexed uniquely.

Clustered Index – Clustered index reorders the physical order of a table and search based on key values. It is important to note that every table can contain only one clustered index.

Non-clustered Index – Non-clustered index refers to indexes that maintain the logical order of data in a table. Tables can have multiple non-clustered data indexes unlike clustered index.

Using the tables shown below answer the following questions below.

Table – Employer Details

Table – Employer Salary and Project

Write a SQL query that fetches the count or number of employees currently working on project P1?

This question is practical in nature and attempts to correctly assess your ability to use SQL to query databases. To answer this question, an aggregate function count() can be used to fetch the count of employees working on project P1.

Write a SQL Query to fetch employee names within the earning bracket of 4,000 and 12,000?

To answer this question, knowledge of the BETWEEN clause and how to use it is needed. The BETWEEN clause will return the Employer ID of the staff earning within this range and the ‘where’ clause can be used as a subquery to find the full names of employees in this range.

Write a SQL Query to fetch project-wise count of employees sorted by the projects count in descending order?

The question asked here is two-fold. The first question expects you to fetch the project-wise count. The second question expects you to sort the result in descending order. To do this, GROUPBY clause can be used for sorting the employees and ORDERBY clause can be used to sort the order.

Write an SQL query to fetch employee names and salary records?

To do this, the LEFT OUTER JOIN can be used with the employee detail table. This will sort the employee names and match it to the salary records at the Employee salary and project table.

Write an SQL query to fetch the odd rows from the table?

To accomplish this task, you can use Row_number in the SQL server to query the table to return the odd rows within the tables.

Summary

Preparing for your SQL interview involves more than just reading and memorizing the answers outlined here. The best way to prepare is constantly making use of SQL to manage databases as this gives you the hands-on experience and ability needed to answer the most technical questions that will be thrown your way.

You could be the Data analyst or Database manager of either a company or your own outfit. And this outfit could be an e-commerce store, a social media platform or the next big thing in tech. Regardless of what you are currently working on, chances are, you will require an SQL editor to manage and execute the different database-related tasks the outfit produces. Therefore, having an idea of some of the best SQL editors out there that can help you easily navigate through a database will play a key part in how you successfully manage data.

In order to help you achieve your aim of editing SQL files or running SQL queries, we have scanned the web, spoken to the professionals and used our vast experience to curate the top five SQL editors you can use. And the most important thing to note is the five highlighted options on this list are free!

The Criteria for Choosing the Best Free SQL Editors

• Cross-platform Capabilities – When selecting an SQL editor, it is important that you consider options that support multiple database environments. This will help you easily integrate your edited scripts into any database without hassles.
• Extensibility – Pros who are already used to certain premium features would definitely be interested in an SQL editor that can be extended to capture particular requirements.
• Ease of Use – SQL editors are used by everyone interested in Database management/query including amateurs. Therefore, an SQL with user-friendly features must be considered before making your choice.

Now that you know the criteria we used in comparing the different free SQL editors available for use, it is important to state that these criteria led to the five choices below.

The Top 5 SQL Editing Software Applications

DBeaver

As free SQL Editors go, DBeaver is one of the popular open-source SQL clients available to database developers, programmers, and administrators looking for a feature-rich editor to work with. It’s extensive features and universal compatibility with the most popular Database systems gives it a spot on this list. As stated earlier, the criteria that were used in assessing DBeaver include; its cross-platform capabilities, Extensibility, and ease of use.

And this is how it scored:

• Cross-platform capabilities: DBeaver is popular for its’ support of most databases including the once you probably intend to work with. With DBeaver, you can execute your SQL tasks on operating systems such as; Windows, Mac, Solaris, AIX, etc. In terms of database platforms, it is compatible with, DBeaver also provides support to all options that are JDBC compliant such as; MySQL, MariaDB, PostgreSQL, SQLite, Oracle, to DB2, SQL Server, MS Access, Sybase, Firebird, Teradata, Derby, etc.

DBeaver also provides support to non-JDBC driver databases or data sources such as MongoDB and Cassandra.

• Extensibility – DBeaver is completely open-source and this allows for the integration or extension of its features. This makes it a great SQL editor for professionals but individuals with limited knowledge of SQL may struggle with using it.
• Ease of Use – DBeaver is built for ease of use if users stick to the premium features that come with this free editor. It includes a tip of the day feature that educates you about its use. You can also switch between multiple workspaces and make use of variables when working with commands.

SQuirreL SQL

Another great option to consider is the SQuirreL SQL client or editor which is written in JAVA. This SQL editor is equipped with the ability to interact with databases that are JDBC compliant and these options are many. SQuirreL is a reliable tool for database administrators, software developers, and testers who are interested in querying today’s databases.

Now, using our criteria to assess the abilities of this SQL client, we have:

• Cross-platform Capabilities – The SQuirreL client is a very versatile editor in terms of its support for diverse operating systems and databases. You can choose to use this editor on your Mac OS, Windows, and Solaris. In terms of databases, SQuirreL provides support for; MySQL, Oracle to DB2, SQL server, Firebird and a host of others.
• Extensibility – The SQuirreL SQL project is open source and developers are welcome to extend its features however they see fit. This is why it is highly regarded by developers who intend to be more adventurous.
• Ease of Use – It goes without saying that the SQuirreL SQL is a free SQL client that is equipped with features designed to simplify your work. These features include; the ability to bookmark the SQL code templates you are partial to, and graphic visualization of data relationships. SQuirreL also has a vibrant developer community that should help you easily navigate through the features in its editor. A couple of third-party plugins hand also been made available to enhance your experience with using SQuirreL SQL.

Postico

Ordinarily, Postico wouldn’t be making this list due to the fact that it is solely built for SQL editing on Mac OS and PostgreSQL databases. But the Mac OS has become a dominant feature used by many database administrators, developers, and data analysts while PostgreSQL and its band of apps are also quite popular with the same crowd. Therefore, not listing Postico for Mac users will be a travesty! That being said, Postico is truly a top-notch SQL client that brings a lot to the table.

• Cross-platform compatibility – As stated earlier, Postico is limited to the Mac OS and PostgreSQL but when used, this client offers much more than the average SQL editor. With Postico, you can interact with data in multiple ways and they include; sorting rows, batch editing rows, as well as, create and alter columns and views.
• Extensibility – Although Postico is not open-source, the fact that it was built by Postgre gives it certain advantages over other editors when working with PostgreSQL. You can also take advantage of the apps on posture.app when working with both Postico and its native database system.
• Ease of Use – Postico is equipped with one of the nicest user interfaces you are likely to ever encounter when dealing or using SQL editors. Also, Postico simplifies the process of data querying through its provision of automatic indenting, highlighting syntax, multiple result sets and an auto-suggest feature designed to help you with column names. It is also worth noting that Postico is a free SQL editor although you will be required to purchase an upgraded version for executing extensive tasks.

MySQL Workbench

The Workbench is more than just an SQL editing tool due to the fact that it offers much more. And much more, in this case, refers to the data modeling, and migration features it offers. This is why MySQL workbench is officially introduced as a ‘unified visual tool for data modeling, SQL development and executing comprehensive administrative tasks. But for today, our focus is on its SQL editing capabilities and what makes it a great SQL client.

• Cross-platform compatibility – The workbench was built to be compatible with only MySQL databases and it can be worked with on Windows, Mac OS and Linux operating systems. Despite what may be seen as a limitation, the popularity of MySQL makes this native MySQL editor one worth having.
• Extensibility – Here, it is important to state that there are two versions of MySQL Workbench; a standard version and an open-source version which is totally free. And here, the open-source version is what makes the list. MySQL Workbench gives experienced developers the option of working with third-party plugins as well as trying or building stuff of your own.
• Ease of Use – The MySQL editor is equipped with visualization features that simplify the process of editing data and queries, as well as, visualize results in multiple ways. With the editor, you have the option of saving commonly used code templates, executing multiple queries, and a new history feature that allows you to access edits and other tasks you did in the past.

HeidiSQL

Rounding up our list of the top five SQL editing tools you can use with your database systems is the HeidiSQL client. HeidiSQL is another free, open-source SQL editor with a wide reach. The editor can be used with most JDPC compliant databases across multiple operating systems as this review will show.

• Cross-platform compatibility – HeidiSQL was built to be compatible with Windows, but you can put on your DIY hat, install Wine on your Linux or Mac OS and get HeidiSQL to run. In terms of its compatibility with databases, HeidiSQL is compatible with a couple of databases such as MariaDB, MySQL, Microsoft SQL, and PostgreSQL. As a Microsoft-based SQL editor, you can actually find the software application at Microsoft store where you can download it for free.
• Extensibility – The HeidiSQL is open-source which means it is extensible. Therefore, you can work on using third-party apps or becoming a part of its developer community to extend its features.
• Ease of Use – HeidiSQL was built for managers and individuals from the non-technical crowd who are interested in editing or viewing SQL queries. Therefore, it is equipped with multiple simplicity features such as; making use of command lines to connect to servers, bulk edit tables, batch-insert binary files into tables among others. The HeidiSQL is totally free and a great editor that rounds up this list.

There is a multitude of free SQL editors or clients that can be used to handle SQL editing tasks but these five have been chosen due to their robust features. It is also worth noting that these options are backed up by vibrant online communities that would help you handle or troubleshoot most of the problems you will run into. So, if you are looking for a free SQL editor to achieve your goals, simply pick any from this list.

The world is dominated by data. Healthcare centers produce it, manufacturing facilities are run with it, and enterprises make business decisions from them. This is why the highest paid jobs in tech all revolve around managing data, securing data or understanding the science behind data. But before being able to reap the rewards of the data being produced, it must first be managed and understood. Structured Query Language (SQL) provides the opportunity to do so.

SQL is a language that allows communication with databases when the need to manage the data they store or contain comes up. This means anyone interested in managing data must have an understanding of the communication language databases understand in which SQL happens to be the most popular. This guide will be dedicated to explaining SQL and its application in database management making it the place to start in your journey to SQL mastery.

What is SQL?

The question ‘what is SQL’ takes us right to the beginning and it’s important to grasp its features and use. As you already know, the acronym SQL represents Structured Query Language. SQL is a programming language or a command language that allows developers, programmers, and analysts to work with data. More on why we called it a command language will be provided in the following paragraphs.

SQL was developed by a team of engineers led by Donald Chamberlain and Raymond Boyce at IBM in 1970. The aim was to create a more powerful domain-specific language to manipulate the data within IBM’s early relational database management system. As with most things, the earliest model was termed Structured English Query Language (SEQUEL) before settling to SQL. SQL was designed as a domain-specific language that allowed it to manipulate databases using command lines. This was because early databases were not provisioned to understand app programming languages such as python.

Thus, SQL and other domain-specific languages remain the benchmark for manipulating the data in databases. It is a fact that you will be required to learn SQL if you intend to participate or build a career in any data-related field. With that being said, SQL like other programming languages has its own language elements and features. One important feature is its use of tables and queries. Here, table results refer to a list of rows and columns that represent or consist of queried data sets.

SQL is also divided into several language elements which also define how the language functions and can be applied to manipulating a database. These language elements include the following:

• Clauses – clauses are constituent components of statements and queries
• Expressions – These produce values in diverse formats such as scalar values or tables consisting of rows and columns of data as previously explained.
• Predicates – These are used to specify conditions that can be evaluated by SQL. Examples of these conditions include limiting the effects of statements and queries.
• Queries – These are used to retrieve the data within a database according to some specified criteria. This makes queries one of the more important elements of SQL.
• Statements – statements are used to control transactions, program flow, and sessions in diverse ways. They generally have persistent effects on data when used.

It is important to note that unlike traditional programming languages used in building applications, SQL is different. While these programming languages are procedural and are used for app creation through blocks of code, SQL is a declarative language used for creating and manipulating databases using commands. Some of the popular SQL commands you will consistently use include:

• CREATE DATABASE – As its name suggests, the command line is used in creating a new database.
• CREATE TABLE – This is used for creating tables which consist of rows and columns of data
• SELECT – This is used to find and extract data from databases
• UPDATE – This is used to make adjustments and edit data.
• DELETE – This is designed for deleting specific data from a database

Other commands are more complicated and are used in achieving more complex demands than these common ones outlined here. As commands in SQL go, these should be seen as simplistic examples used in making an impression. But you have to start from somewhere, right?

How is SQL Used?

The above commands and queries are used to define how SQL is used to manipulate databases. A quick example of how to use a command-line can be seen below. Here, an attempt to create a new database using the command previously highlighted should help. The process is:

CREATE DATABASE name_of_a_databse – This command line creates a new database titled name_of_a_databse or any other name you choose.

You can also choose to create multiple databases that serve diverse needs. For example, an application like Twitter can have multiple databases to cater to its users and their sensibilities. The Twitter database may include the following; Users, User Lists, and Location. As you can already tell, the User database consists of the names or identification details used in defining users. Lists refer to the lists created by each user to navigate Twitter while location stores the geopolitical zones or locations users tweet from.

These are basic examples of how SQL is used. SQL is capable of more complex database manipulations such as ordering tables and analyzing data sets. To accomplish complex tasks, more technical knowledge on how it is used is required.

The Industries That Rely on SQL

Now, is probably the time to introduce databases into the discussion. A database is an organized collection of data stored and accessed digitally within a computer system. Also, a relational-database refers to a digital database based on the relational model of collected data which is also stored and accessed within a computer system.

Every industry produces data and the widespread adoption of information technology has also led to the use of electronic databases in every industry. Thus, any industry that produces data currently makes use of databases that must be manipulated and managed to receive some insight which means they rely on SQL. This is also one reason why SQL professionals within data-related fields are highly sought after.

A discussion on all industries making use of databases will be exhaustive, so here is an outline of the top industries that rely on databases and SQL to function properly.

The Financial Sector – According to research by Market Watch, the banking and finance industry relies heavily on data and the technological tools that drive it. This includes SQL and database. Putting the tools that drive the financial sector such as apps, and payment processors into perspective provide some insight into why the industry relies on SQL.

The billions of transactions that occur in minutes within the finance industry, as well, as the billions using financial services produce big data sets that must be managed. This is why the finance industry relies on SQL and order compliance and regulatory standards that ensure security while manipulating databases.

The Retail/E-Commerce Sector – Large retail enterprises such as Ali Express, Amazon, and E-bay produce big data that require extensive analytics to enable real-time services that drives the retail sector. Both small and large retail enterprises with digital storefronts also make use of e-commerce applications and the data they produce plays an important role in determining the success of the retail industry. Thus, the retail industry relies heavily on SQL and its abilities to manipulate and manage data.

Healthcare Sector – The healthcare industry also consists of billions of people, millions of applications handling billions of transactions on a daily basis. This means the data it produces must be accurately processed and managed due to the sensitive nature of the healthcare industry. Here also, SQL and databases play an important role in supporting the services doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and other professionals within the healthcare industry provide.

The Manufacturing Sector – The manufacturing industry is vast and it consists of enterprise producing a product for sale. This includes the automation industry, aviation, discrete manufacturers, etc. All players within the manufacturing sector produce large data sets that have seen the adoption rate of data analytics increase within this sector.

Databases are needed to manage the data produced by the manufacturing industry and SQL plays an important role in managing the data.

This highlights the top four industry that relies on SQL to manipulate the vast amount of data they produce daily. It also goes without saying that these industries offer job opportunities to experienced SQL users due to the constant demand for data management.

Database Systems You Should Know

Database systems is a software that supports the creation, storage, definition, and manipulation of data. The system provides enterprises with a centralized point or platform to perform diverse data operations using languages such as SQL. Database systems also consist of templates, builders, and other tools needed to automate the management of database systems.

Today, most of the popular database systems are proprietary software managed and serviced by leading enterprises. According to Statista, the top database management systems by market share include the following:

Oracle – Statistics put Oracle’s database management systems as the most popular SQL database system currently in use. Oracle is used across the aforementioned industries and industries that deliver online transactions rank high up the ladder of enterprises that make use of Oracle’s database management systems. The tech giant has dominated the relational –database management system space since its inception approximately 43 years ago.

Its value proposition is seamless hardware and software that deliver an excellent database management platform. It also integrates the cloud to scale its databases and application processes.

MYSQL – MYSQL is one of the few open-source database systems that make the list of popular databases used by enterprises. The fact that it comes with no license fees makes it the most popular database management system for SMEs and individuals looking for affordable database solutions. It also provides an excellent platform for beginners to learn the basics of database management with SQL. It is important to note that MySQL is an offshoot of Oracle and it serves as the open-source version that delivers a reliable interface for developers.

Microsoft SQL Server – This is an industry-standard database management system that has carved a sizeable market share for itself. Its primary objectives are for storing and retrieving data and SQL is used to handle the data manipulation process. SQL Server can be used to manage workloads from small single-machine applications, as well as, larger internet-facing applications. This means it is commonly used by SMEs and large enterprises who are interested in relying on its versatile deployment processes. SQL Server can be provisioned for use through the cloud or on-premise.

POSTGRESQL – This database management system is another open-source database management system competing with MySQL. It is also widely used by SMEs and individuals to manage data. It is an object-relational database management system that emphasizes extensibility and standards –compliance. POSTGRESQL is developed and maintained by the POSTGRESQL Global Development Group to run on multiple platforms or operating systems which includes Linux and Windows. It provides aspiring developers with the tools needed to explore database management and SQL.

MongoDB – MongoDB is also open-source and a cross-platform document-oriented database management system. This means it can run over multiple servers and operating systems while delivering its services. MongoDB is widely used by smaller companies as its document-oriented database is easier to use than full-scale relational-database systems offered by more established database service providers.

IBM DB2 – No list about databases will be complete without including IBM’s DB2. This system is an industry-standard database management system that consists of both object-relational and non-relational structures. IBM also bills its database system as one that integrates artificial intelligence to support cognitive applications. The database system is highly reliable and secure which makes it a favorite for enterprises that provide online transaction processing services.

Apache Cassandra – Apache Cassandra was originally developed to power Facebook’s in-box search features for the millions of users on Facebook. Its success led to its deployment as an open-source database management system for in-memory applications. It can handle large data sets from commodity servers while allowing low latency operations for its users. The database management system is used extensively by SMEs and a few large enterprises.

Top 5 Books for Learning SQL

Mastering SQL requires extensive study and practice with SQL. There are diverse books that you can use to start the process of mastering SQL. These books generally provide instructions about the fundamentals of SQL elements and queries. The books also help developers navigate through common mistakes using practical examples and practice questions as teaching tools. To start learning SQL, you can choose to use any of the following books:

SQL QuickStart Guide – The Simplified Beginners Guide to SQL – This guide is an extensive guide that ensures you understand SQL using simple exercises that introduce data programming to you. Each chapter introduces a different aspect of SQL and leads you on to advanced topics that involve actually managing databases with SQL. It also introduces you to diverse SQL syntaxes, troubleshooting SQL programs and other challenges beginners are expected to come across.

Getting Started with SQL – The getting started guide takes a hands-on approach to imparting knowledge about SQL to its reader. This means you can expect tones of practice questions and examples that introduce you to the complexities of SQL programming. You will also learn the basics of SQL and progress to more advanced concepts as you progress through the chapters in the book.

Sam’s Teach Yourself SQL in 10 Minutes – This book by Ben Forta is an excellent resource for learning SQL programming and database management. The premise behind the book is that it intends to speed up your learning process and it delivers on that. The book consists of practical examples that intend to teach you about programming with SQL in a concise manner.

SQL Cookbook – Query Solutions and Techniques for Database Developers – This cookbook covers the functions and features of popular database management systems such as Oracle, SQL Server, and IBM DB2. It imparts knowledge through the use of examples and practical questions that relate to the diverse database management systems covered in the book.

SQL for Dummies Cheat Sheet – If you are a fan of the dummy series, then SQL for dummies may just be the book you need to learn the basics of SQL programming. The dummies series also comes with spin-offs such as the SQL for Dummies Cheat Sheet. The Cheat Sheet book consists of several tables, lists, queries, and information that are constantly used when working with SQL.

Note that these books are not free but come at an affordable cost. You can also choose to make use of free online SQL tutorials to learn the basics of SQL programming.

Online Tutorials for Learning SQL

Not everyone likes making use of books as learning tools and if video instructions are your thing, then Tutorial 45’s SQL fundamental tutorials are an excellent tool for mastering SQL programming. The tutorials consist of multiple videos that introduce you to using SQL as a database management tool and its application within database systems.

Making use of these tutorials provides you with a 360 view of SQL’s features in real-time. This means you can see how command lines actually function and the queries or results they provide. You can also take advantage of the practice questions that come with this tutorial to advance your knowledge of SQL programming. You can also ask for help from the SQL experts who designed the tutorial when you come across challenging topics or concepts you need further clarification on.

Other online resources such as Reddit forums and Quora provide support systems for building your experience with using SQL. Although these forums do not actually teach the use of SQL, they provide extensive real-life experiences that can help you start and grow your career as a database manager or analyst. So, bookmarking related SQL topics within these social media learning platforms is recommended.

Getting Started with SQL

According to a Robert Half survey, the top 5 paying jobs in IT are related to database management or securing data in one form or the other. This is one reason why now is a great time to start learning the basics of SQL. We recommend that you use this beginner’s guide to discover the resources needed to get started with SQL.

The best way to accelerate your SQL learning is actually studying and immediately put what you learned into practice. You can make use of open-source tools to create databases of your music playlists, novels or other simple lists. Get started today with the tutorial videos and build experience by practicing everything you are thought and this will help you gain a competitive advantage for kick-starting a new career.