Introduction

Database Technology — SQL Essentials for Database Building is a hands-on curriculum that teaches you how to design clean relational schemas and implement them with SQL. You’ll learn data modeling, normalization, and the practical SQL you need to create tables, define constraints, write queries, and ship reliable databases that scale with your applications.

Course overview

Start with conceptual and logical modeling, then translate designs into physical schemas with SQL. You’ll write DDL to create and evolve structures, DML to load and modify data, and queries for analytics and application logic. The course also covers indexing, transactions, isolation, performance tuning, and deployment practices across popular relational systems.

Key learning outcomes

• Relational modeling: Entities, attributes, relationships, keys, and ER diagrams.
• Normalization: From 1NF to BCNF to eliminate anomalies and ensure integrity.
• SQL DDL: CREATE/ALTER/DROP, constraints (PK, FK, UNIQUE, CHECK), and schema versioning.
• SQL DML & queries: INSERT/UPDATE/DELETE, SELECT, joins, subqueries, set operations, window functions.
• Integrity & constraints: Referential integrity, cascading rules, and domain validation.
• Indexes & performance: B‑tree vs. hash, composite indexes, query plans, and optimization basics.
• Transactions: ACID properties, isolation levels, locks, and deadlock awareness.
• Security & governance: Roles, privileges, auditing, and data lifecycle management.

Hands-on modules

• Module 1: ER modeling and normalization workshops with sample domains.
• Module 2: DDL fundamentals — tables, constraints, defaults, and migrations.
• Module 3: Querying — joins, filters, grouping, window functions, and CTEs.
• Module 4: DML workflows — loading data, upserts, and bulk operations.
• Module 5: Indexing & performance — design, analyze plans, and tune queries.
• Module 6: Transactions & concurrency — isolation, contention, and reliability.
• Module 7: Security & roles — least privilege, row-level controls, and auditing.
• Capstone: Build a production-ready schema with seed data, views, and tests.

Starter project ideas

• Retail catalog & orders: Products, inventory, customers, orders, and fulfillment.
• Library management: Titles, authors, loans, reservations, and fines.
• Event ticketing: Venues, events, tickets, seating, and payments.

Explore these valuable resources

• PostgreSQL Documentation
• MySQL Reference Manual
• Microsoft SQL Server Docs

Explore related courses

• SQL Foundations
• Relational Database Design
• Data Modeling Essentials
• ETL & Data Pipelines
• Advanced SQL & Performance Tuning

Who should enroll?

Ideal for developers, data analysts, and aspiring DBAs who need to design and operate relational databases. If you want to move from ad‑hoc queries to robust schema design and reliable SQL, this course provides a practical, project‑driven path.

Conclusion

Mastering SQL essentials for database building equips you to model data correctly, enforce integrity, and deliver performant applications. With strong design, clean SQL, and disciplined operations, your databases will be easier to evolve and safer to scale.