SQL is worth learning because it’s a programming language that’s in-demand not only in the tech industry but also in other sectors that need technology. For this reason, most software developers who know SQL earn respectable salaries. Is SQL worth learning? Chances are you’ll get paid more or be promoted after earning an SQL certification, so it’s definitely a good idea.
These are only a few of the primary reasons learning SQL skills is worthwhile for your growth. In this article, we’ll show you more about why you should consider learning SQL. We’ll also give you advice on how to learn SQL for free. If you find yourself asking, “Is learning SQL worth it after all?” then you should keep reading.
What Is SQL?
Structured Query Language (SQL) is a scripting language standardized by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) in 1986. It is regarded as the most basic programming language for communicating with databases. It’s most commonly found in software like a relational database management system (RDBMS).
Basically, SQL helps in changing database tables and index structures. With SQL, you can also get data subsets for transaction processing and analytics applications. The most popular SQL query statements are select, add, insert, update, delete, create, edit, and truncate.
Is SQL Worth Learning in 2022?
Yes, SQL mastery is still valuable in 2022. This is because SQL is a popular language in programming and is a top choice for software applications to this day. Many of the top RDBMS frameworks use SQL. SQL experts are flexible and versatile in handling various database management systems.
5 Reasons SQL Is Worth Learning
SQL ranked fourth as a popular programming language on Stack Overflow’s Developer survey in 2021, proving that it’s a fundamental skill in the tech development process. You can join a group of software engineers or developers and be the database expert. You can also explore other tech careers like data analyst or business analyst. On top of career growth, below are five more reasons to learn SQL.
Easy to Grasp
SQL’s basic commands are easy to remember and use because they are similar to English. Insert, delete, and update are verbal commands that aren’t strangers to us. This makes it easy for a new user to learn SQL features because it’s not as hard as learning a whole new foreign language. Besides, investing time in SQL also helps you comprehend more current programming languages like Python and Java.
A Common Language
Almost every significant IT company uses SQL. Microsoft SQL Server alone services over a thousand companies, with Accenture topping the list. SQL is also used to query data in some of the biggest companies in the world, like Facebook, Google, and Amazon, which have constructed their high-performance database systems using this universal language.
Powerful for Troubleshooting
SQL makes it simple to diagnose any issues that may arise from daily use. It can notify you of the simplest syntax error or misplaced indicator. You can correct errors as you go rather than having to go back and fix them later. SQL saves you a lot of time and trouble.
Ideal for Big Data Collections
SQL is a robust and fast means to process big data collections while ensuring data integrity. Nowadays, even tiny businesses collect and use tons of data. Massive data processing could be challenging to handle with spreadsheets like Excel.
An In-Demand Skill
SQL is such an in-demand skill that you can find over a million SQL jobs on LinkedIn. Professionals who are required to have SQL skills like database administrators and architects receive an average annual pay of $98,860, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. These jobs associated with SQL mastery also have a job growth outlook of eight percent in the coming years.
How to Learn SQL for Free
Now that you know why learning SQL gives you an advantage, let’s talk about how you can learn it for free. Below is a list of courses that will teach you basic SQL concepts. Completing these courses could even help you answer the most common interview questions related to SQL.
| Resource | Provider | Type of Resource | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Introduction to SQL | DataCamp | Free Course | 4 Hours |
| Learn SQL Basics for Data Science Specialization | Coursera | MOOC | Approximately 4 months |
| Learn SQL | Codecademy | Free Course | 8 hours |
| Intro to SQL: Querying and managing data | Khan Academy | MOOC | 3 to 7 days |
| Introduction to SQL | SkillUp by Simplilearn | Free Course | 9 hours |
Is Learning SQL Worth It?
Yes, SQL is worth learning because it’s not only simple to learn, but it also continues to be a highly in-demand skill. Besides, a career in SQL is quite lucrative, so any investment of money or time you make today to learn SQL would be well worth it. Study now and gain the essential SQL skills to put on your resume to grow your career.
FAQ: Is SQL Worth Learning?
SQL is the industry standard, so it would be better to learn to use it. However, knowing Cypher helps you work with queries more relatable to stakeholders, as it’s one of the popular visualization tools that use typical diagrams. Data tables are the essence of SQL, while Cypher deals with data relationships.
SQL is the standard language for communicating with a database. Administrators run SQL commands to retrieve or update data in a database.
You can learn it in a few weeks if you already know how to use other programming languages. SQL is a relatively simple language to learn. However, it takes a bit longer if you’re a newbie at programming.
Yes, SQL is a scripting language. Just like most fourth-generation languages, it requires an interpreter rather than a compiler code. Similar to other programming languages, SQL also has rules for executing commands and queries.
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