01 Oct Why SQL Is An Important Skill To Learn

SQL is something you probably have come across in several articles or on social media. The first time I heard about SQL was from a friend’s retweet on Twitter. Today, I want to share with you an educative article on SQL, and why SQL is an important skill for you to learn.

Here are some of the things I am going to be covering in this article

• What is SQL?
• Difference between a Programming language and query language
• Who can learn SQL?
• What is MYSQL?
• Jobs that require SQL
• How long will it take to learn SQL?

The three-letter abbreviation SQL, pronounced “ess-que-el” or “see-kwell” is quite a hot skill to learn. SQL means Structured Query Language. Yep, you got that right. It is not a programming language, at least not exactly. It is a “query language”. What does a query language mean?

Simply put, a query language is a computer programming language that retrieves information from a database. So, SQL is a query language that is used to communicate with the database. It is used to update or retrieve data from a database.

If you are a beginner, you should consider learning SQL as it is much easier than programming language like Java, PHP, Java, C++.

What is the difference between a Query Language and Programming Language?

A programming language is a language used by humans to give instructions to a computer; the steps to take in solving a problem. A query language, on the other hand, is a language used to manipulate data.

Who can learn SQL?

Often, a lot of people say, “I can’t code, I don’t think I can learn SQL. I’m not a techie, how can I understand SQL? Luckily, anyone, anybody can learn SQL. You don’t have to know any programming language before you can learn SQL.  No technical skill is required. It’s a “come as you are” language. No prerequisite for learning.

What is MYSQL?

It is a relational database management system used to manage databases. It is an open-source software. This means it is free to use and essential for web developers because several applications and web are built on databases. What does MYSQL do?

Here’s an illustration. A movie program such as Netflix, stores and transmit movies, documentaries, TV shows and anime on different devices. You can search easily for movies by using parameters like movie name, genre, actor, director, and others.

Apps like that need a software to manage their SQL database.

Here are some reasons why SQL is an important skill to learn.

It is a highly demanded skill

SQL is one of the languages used by Web developers, desktop developers, DevOps, and data analysts. Did you know that it’s not only used by tech companies?  According to Dice; one of the most popular job posting sites, listed SQL as the most sought-after skills by employers. Even more than Python or R. Isn’t that surprising? That shows how useful and relevant SQL is to companies. It is an important skill that everyone should learn, as long as they can.

It is used widely 

SQL is used everywhere, as long as there is a database account to manage. If you are considering a career in data science or analytics, then you should learn SQL. Several big tech companies such as Airbnb, Facebook, Amazon, Netflix, Twitter, Google, and lots more use SQL to query data and carry out an analysis. Are you still wondering why SQL is such an important skill to learn?

SQL is easy to learn

One thing I can assure you when learning SQL is that you will find it interesting. Why? Unlike programming languages, it is written in the English language so everyone can understand it. If you understand and can write basic English language, then you are good to go.  Luckily, several database engines can work well with every SQL code. You can work across all relational databases when you learn SQL. There are also several learning platforms to pick it up.

High salary scale

How much does a SQL developer take home?  According to Glassdoor, a SQL developer earns an average of $81,622 annually. That’s a good income. Right?

Now that you’ve learned why you should learn SQL. What next?

You can access several resources that teach SQL online including free and paid. Some courses at the university can also give you a profound knowledge of the language.

You can also enroll in paid online training such as Cndro’s SQL class. It provides you with real-life projects and one-on-one training support. Click here to enroll now.

Jobs that require SQL

• Data Analyst: Since data analysts work with data daily, SQL is a required skill for them.  It is easy to learn and understand. SQL helps data analysts gain access directly to large sets of data in the database without having to duplicate data into other applications.

• Data Scientist: Just like data analysts, data scientists also deal with data daily, even in larger volumes and gather it at a higher speed. Because SQL integrates well with programming languages like Python and R, you will be able to communicate your data easily and understandably to your company.

• Database Administrator: The database administrator ensures that data is stored and organized properly. They also generate different reports by querying the database and manage data replication.

• Back-end Developer: Back-end developers manage the internal workings of web applications. They are behind everything that happens before it gets to your browser. A typical setup for a backend is a web server, an application, and a database.

• Product Managers: They need to have an in-depth understanding of their products. How will they do that? By using data to take an audit of their product’s performance. Data doesn’t lie, they say.

• Mobile App Developers

Android app developers have been using SQLite for over 20 years. They used it mainly for projects that need to be stored on a device. SQL powers this embedded database; SQLite.

• Marketers: If you are a marketer, you have to be data-driven. Why? Because you won’t always have the attention of the analysts or developers to explain the reports to you. You will be more productive and help your business if you can analyze it by yourself. Learning SQL will be an added advantage for you.

How long does it take to learn SQL?

If you’ve ever tried learning a new language, you will agree that it can take longer to do so. From weeks to months, even years.

There is no general time-frame for learning SQL as lots of factors influence learning. Some of which include how fast you can grasp a new subject, availability of time and retention ability.

It can take you a few weeks or months depending on those factors. But relatively, you can learn SQL within a few weeks.

In conclusion, I will recommend that you learn SQL If you dream of being a data analyst/scientist. You can start your journey by learning SQL first, even before the programming languages. It helps in deep knowledge of dataset, manages large datasets, integrates with programming languages easily. SQL is the basis of data analytics and data science, learn it today to have a smooth ride into your career.