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It’s rather common to separate all database management systems into two groups, based on whether you can use SQL on them. In this tutorial, we will introduce you to the ones that support it. If by any case you need a reminder on SQL, be sure to take this interactive SQL course.

Before we start exploring the world of database management systems, we should make sure we understand fully what is it we’re dealing with. First of all, we have data. Developers use this term to define all the information that is kept in the memory of the computer. For example, an e-commerce website would normally be storing data that relates to the user, such as their name, address, orders, and possibly banking information.

By entering their details on the webpage, the user sends their data to its server, which then stores it in a database. Without one, it would be hard to actually access and use the data: a database is what brings in the structure. It is a system in which you can store, update, manipulate, and access your data. To put it simply, each database consists of data and a method to access it conveniently.

Now, what is a database management system (DBMS for short)? It is a special kind of software that you use to create and manipulate your databases. You could say a database management system is an intermediary between the database and the user or the application that uses its data.

While there are various models, most agree relational database management systems are the most popular. The data they contain must be related in nature. The standard way of working with such databases is using SQL – the Structured Query Language. When asked to name a few relational database management system examples, most mention the most well-known ones: MySQL, Oracle, Microsoft SQL Server, and PostgreSQL. All of them were written in either C or C++.

When thinking of SQL database management systems, most users instinctively think of MySQL. It’s only natural: not only the name itself contains ‘SQL’, but it’s also the most popular system worldwide. David Axmark and Michael “Monty” Widenius started working on it in 1994 and made the first version available to the public in 1995. Since then, MySQL has become an industry standard. The list of its current clients contains such famous names as NASA, Tesla, GitHub, Facebook, and a whole bunch of other giants. What is more, MySQL is simple and completely free to download and use. Developers praise its well-written and extensive documentation as well.

Since 2010, MySQL belongs to the Oracle Corporation. The acquisition caused a huge uproar, as the public feared Oracle will put MySQL to end. Michael “Monty” Widenius even started to work on a replacement database management system, creating a new branch of the MySQL of the time and calling it MariaDB. However, despite the worries, Oracle kept the free and open-source MySQL. It stayed on the top easily due to unique features that were never introduced in MariaDB. A large company owning and supporting the system made it even more reliable too.

The most current version is MySQL 8.0, published in 2018. The team releases small updates every two or three months. The newest version sports updated security, account, resource and table encryption management, as well as a transactional data dictionary. Most companies value MySQL for being very scalable and robust enough to handle huge amounts of data. Additionally, it works well across many different platforms, including but not limited to Microsoft Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Before Oracle Corporation acquired MySQL, it also had its own relational database management system, called Oracle Database, or simply Oracle. Initially released in 1979, it is now at version 19c, presented in 2019. The letter C in the name stands for the cloud.

When comparing MySQL vs. Oracle, you will notice the latter has a lot more to offer. It supports XML format, has more data types, more storage features, enhanced security and audit vault. And that’s not all! In 2018, Larry Ellison presented the version 18c as the first completely autonomous database management system. Armed with powerful machine learning capabilities, the new Oracle can perform a lot of tasks without human intervention, which lowers the risk of errors. The company presents the newest version as self-driving, self-securing, and self-repairing. It’s hard to disagree that it’s a huge step toward maximum security and ease of use.

However, the impressive features come at a price. The biggest difference between MySQL vs. Oracle is that while MySQL is free and open-source, Oracle is a commercial product. There are a few payment options available, depending on your exact needs. There is also a free version called Oracle Database Express Edition, but it has certain limitations: you cannot have more than twelve gigabytes of user data, two gigabytes of RAM, and 3 three pluggable databases.

Another popular relational database management system is called Microsoft SQL Server. The team initially released it in 1989 and introduced some major updates with version 7.0 in 1998. By now, there are two latest versions: Azure SQL database 12.0 (2014) and SQL Server 2017. Confused? Let us explain.

To accommodate users with various needs and preferences, SQL Server offers a few different editions. Apart from the mainstream editions (Standard, Enterprise, Web, Express, and a few others), there are specialized ones. Azure might be one of the most popular. What separates it from simpler types is that it is fully cloud-based. The Developer edition is basically the same as Enterprise – however, it cannot be used as a production server. The list of editions goes on and on – what’s important to note is that Developer and Express are the only two versions that can be used free of charge. To take full advantage of Microsoft SQL Server, you will need to pay – and the costs aren’t low, either.

SQL Server is simple to use, plus, it detects and downloads any updates available automatically. After the initial installation, you can add extra components as well. You can use this database management system in one of the multiple languages, on multiple platforms. Additionally, SQL Server has comprehensive documentation and handy community features, such as forums and even a tech support blog.

The PostgreSQL database management system might seem like the youngest of them all: the team at the University of California at Berkeley only formally published it in 1997. However, they did take the first steps in its development as early as 1982.

At first, there was the Ingres project. However, soon after it was done, the team noticed a few clear issues in using relational database management systems. Therefore, three years later, Michael Stonebraker, the leader of the team, started developing what was then known as Postgres (Post Ingres). His project underwent many updates and improvements: in 1994, it finally started to support SQL, and hence was renamed as PostgreSQL in 1996. In January next year, it was finally released to the public. As of now, the latest version is PostgreSQL 12.0, which went public in the fall of 2019.

Compared to other DBMSs, PostgreSQL has the most features, plus, it’s reliable and pretty quick. While it is the default choice for databases on the macOS Server, you can use it on all major operating systems. PostgreSQL is also pretty unique in terms of extensibility: you are free to create your own functions and data types. It supports a ton of programming languages, including C, C++, Java, JavaScript, Python, and others.

As you can see, each relational database management system has its own pros and cons. Choosing the right one depends on your priorities: do you need it to be free, or would you rather pay and get more features? Do you prefer cloud solutions, or do you want to try an autonomous system? The choice is yours. All you need to know is SQL – and this BitDegree’s online course is a great way to start!

The deeper you step into the forest, the more trees surround you. The same could be said about coding: the more you learn, the more things you find that you should learn next. Are you already familiar with programming and know some basics of HTML or CSS? If so, you might have set your eyes on SQL too. As this language is currently on the rise, a lot of people seem to be asking themselves – is SQL hard to learn? Why should I learn SQL? Most importantly – how to learn SQL, and where to start?

We’re sure you already know the name of SQL stands for Structured Query Language. Basically what it does is allowing users to store, access and otherwise handle their data in databases. The American National Standards Institute has declared it the standard language used from relational database management systems. Therefore, knowing it is a must in any data related job, be it a data scientist, a back-end developer, or even a marketing guru.

Those who are often faced with decision making always advise to start with elimination. It’s much easier to make a rational choice between a few good options than try to find the gem among fifteen mediocre ones. Getting rid of the flawed methods is also a good idea when trying to decide how to learn SQL.

You might have already figured out that formal studies are not the best way to learn SQL for beginners. University programs are never the best choice when you wish to master a single language and time is a priority. And it is in this case, as you wish to master something that’s rolling on the wave of popularity right now! So, it’s only natural a lot of newbies are looking into alternative learning choices.

Another classic way of learning is by reading guides and other informative books on the subject. Anyway, we are rather sceptical about using literature to learn IT topics from scratch. It might be compared to checking the weather forecast in a monthly magazine: technically possible but not advisable.

The thing is, the industry of IT is constantly growing by leaps and bounds. The systems improve, new elements are introduced, and catching up to all of that might not be that simple – especially for the book industry. The process of print takes months. By the time the book reaches you, it might simply be unable to cover everything the program or system has to offer.

Is SQL hard to learn? With the right strategy, it doesn’t have to be.

If you’re a smartypants, you might have already figured out the best way to learn IT is, simply, the IT way. The internet offers endless resources, and you should take advantage of them. If you wish to master SQL, you should be looking for online courses, articles, tutorials, and SQL examples to analyze. By having both your theory and practice at the same computer screen, you will be able to try everything yourself instantly. If that’s not the best way to learn SQL for beginners, we don’t know what is.

When asked for their advice on how to learn SQL, most self-taught professionals swear by online courses. They’re not wrong: learning online offers you the flexibility that no evening courses or boot camps could provide. You can study the material anywhere, anytime, and review it as many times as you need to absorb the new information. This is especially important for most beginners who prefer to step forward at their own pace.

Accessibility is the key to comfort, and online courses are especially user-friendly in this point of view. Most of us are used to using the internet on a bunch of various devices. Therefore, only being able to learn on your computer might feel like a limitation. Luckily, a lot of courses, including the ones BitDegree has to offer, also have mobile access. When choosing among options on how to learn SQL, consider how valuable a chance to use your time wisely is. You could be learning while, say, riding a train – even if you don’t have your laptop with you.

You can find both free and paid online courses. Don’t worry: compared to the old-fashioned courses or boot camps, they are rather affordable still. Plus, unlike informal studies, you can use the materials you received indefinitely.

When looking into options on learning SQL, always make sure you choose a course from a well-known and reliable system, such as BitDegree. While a relatively unknown site might offer a cheaper or free course, there’s no guarantee you’ll get the professionally prepared course and quality material you were hoping for. Big platforms with a significant user base are usually able to attract more professional lecturers that will help how to learn SQL. Doesn’t it go without saying that you should always aspire to learn from the greatest?

As you research various online education platforms, pay attention to those that provide you with a printable certificate when you finish the course successfully. Sure, knowledge is the most important, but no official certificate will ever hurt your resume. Not only will it prove you’re capable of working with SQL, but it will also show you’re motivated, disciplined, and everlearning.

While it’s true online courses are great and comprehensive, it does not mean you should stop there. The Internet provides you with a ton of other useful resources. As you search the web for how to learn SQL quickly and effectively, you will be presented with a variety of tutorials, articles, and SQL examples.

You probably think it’s way too early for you to be looking for a data-related job that requires SQL knowledge. Still, we would suggest you pay some attention to the articles that cover the usual SQL interview questions anyway. Why? Because they will give you a much better idea of what will be expected from you in the workplace you might apply to.

For the employer, job interviews are the opportunity to get the best possible impression of a candidate in a limited time. That’s why their questions are never random but chosen with the selection criteria in mind. That means they cover crucial areas – the ones you should pay the most attention to when studying. In other words, when you’re deciding how to learn SQL, interview questions might give you a good idea where to start.

As you go through the sets of usual Q&As, you might notice some SQL interview questions can be related not only to SQL commands and the language itself but also to particular database management systems. If a certain company exclusively uses MySQL, SQL Server, or some other system, they might want to make sure you are familiar with them as well. By knowing what to expect, you might prepare in advance and make the best impression of yourself.

As you look over the interview questions and other career-related articles, you might come upon some salary statistics too. Take a look at what professional data analysts and other professionals that use SQL in their jobs make each year. If you were still thinking ‘Why should I learn SQL?’, this might give you that bit of extra motivation you needed. A skilled professional is valued greatly in a company, and the financial side of it is also a nice advantage.

Don’t worry: no one expects a beginner to remember all the relevant concepts or syntax rules. Coding languages are extensive, and even the most experienced programmers don’t know everything by heart. However, as you’ll be looking at how to learn SQL, you might come upon a thing called language references.

Most widespread programming languages have language references. They serve a purpose similar to that of dictionaries, encyclopedias, and manuals. By explaining various elements of a language, it becomes a useful guide for both beginners and advanced coders. Of course, it’s not something you would read in one sitting. Still, you will surely appreciate the opportunity to easily refer to it whenever you need to check something you came upon when analyzing various SQL examples.

The simplest and probably the truest answer on how to learn SQL is to write SQL. It doesn’t matter how many courses you finish and how many examples you review if you never pull your sleeves up and start doing it yourself. We can only really see how something works when we’ve witnessed every step. We also only truly learn to solve problems when we face them ourselves.

The most popular database management system in the world is MySQL. It’s a free, reliable, and open source. While it might not be the priority for a newbie, it is also sturdy and powerful enough to handle huge amounts of data. Get on it, create your databases, and start trying out various commands. Enter some random information to your database at first. This way, you can experiment freely without the fear of rewriting or destroying any sensitive data.

By trying everything yourself, you will be able how to learn SQL much quicker. Getting familiar with an omnipresent system will prove itself useful too. After all, more than half of the companies use MySQL. They will surely appreciate it if you know it like the back of your hand.

One of the most awesome advantages of being a developer is the ability to choose your work style freely. You might belong to a big team of professionals in an international company if you enjoy collaborations and teamwork. Or are you more of an independent soul who likes to control everything on their own? In such a case, you might work in a small office or freelance. The freedom of choice is all yours.

However, just being on your own might not suffice if you’re taking your first steps in coding. All beginners need guidance, advice, and even mentoring at times. Teachers and study mates fill those roles when you’re attending a formal education institution. But what do you do when you’re learning on your own?

When trying to look for ways how to learn SQL, always have in mind that the Internet is full of like-minded people, and you should use that to your advantage. Join online communities, discussion forums, and specialized groups on social media. Having a place to discuss the questions and issues that arise straightaway when learning SQL is extremely helpful. You may often see people uploading SQL examples of their making to discuss, and you can publish your own as well.

Real-life meetings are a great way to find mentors or study mates as well. Try looking for SQL learning groups in your area on Meetup.com or social media websites. Belonging to a community helps your motivation. Plus, your peers are very likely to recommend you learning resources, tips, and tricks that they found useful.

With so many options readily available, choosing how to learn SQL might seem like a hardship on itself. As the popularity of the language is currently on the rise, no one wants to waste too much time weighing their options, too. However, at the same time, we’re all hoping to make the best possible choice.

As we have already covered, data is a valuable asset. Knowing how to handle it correctly is important not in data analyzing only but in various other fields of work. Learning to write SQL commands and understanding it well will provide you with a highly flexible skill that employers value a lot.

We didn’t cover every possible choice here, and we don’t even think it’s possible to do in one article. Still, we hope this tutorial helped shed some light on your dilemma. Whatever you choose, remember the most important things are patience, determination, and motivation. Becoming a self-taught professional will take time, energy, and persistence. And yet you will surely find it worth that in the end.