Learning SQL: An Overview of Two Popular Platforms
Data has evolved to become the most important commodity in the world today. The ways that we gather, use and analyze data have become critical to our success in business, science, and technology.
Structured Query Language (SQL) has become the standard language for managing databases, and learning it has become essential for students, professionals, and anyone who is interested in data management and analysis. In this article, we’ll be taking a closer look at two of the most popular platforms for learning SQL: LearnSQL.com and DataCamp.
We’ll be considering various aspects of each platform such as course offerings, teaching methods, user experience, SQL focus, additional resources, and pricing models.
LearnSQL.com
Course Offering
LearnSQL.com offers a wide range of SQL courses, from basic SQL to advanced topics like Microsoft Server SQL and PostgreSQL. Their courses feature an Analytical path, catering to those with minimal experience in data management, all the way up to the more advanced level of SQL programming.
Their course catalog features SQL topics ranging from SQL Basics, Standard SQL, Microsoft Server SQL, PostgreSQL, to an SQL Practice Set.
Teaching Method
Their teaching method helps students learn by using practical examples and real-world exercises. Students can expect short descriptions followed by examples, loads of exercises that are designed to strengthen their analytical job skills and business skills.
LearnSQL.com offers a hands-on approach that is tailored towards the learning of SQL.
User Experience
LearnSQL.com’s user experience can be described as top-notch. They offer easy account creation, an interactive programming environment, and a sleek dark mode that’s easy on the eyes.
For students who want to practice on the platform, they can write and execute code in their browser.
SQL Focus
LearnSQL.com is specialized in SQL and offers SQL-only courses. This focus has allowed them to provide high-level SQL courses while diversifying their course offerings.
Additional Resources
LearnSQL.com extends beyond their courses, having an extensive library of articles, a SQL cookbook containing codes for solving complex SQL queries, explanations of SQL functions, and developer stories for students to learn from. The lessons are designed to be easy to read to ensure that students understand the code and how it works.
They also offer comparisons between Microsoft Server SQL and PostgreSQL and add new courses continually.
Pricing Model
The platform offers subscription plans for basic users at $25/month, premium users at $59/month, and business users who can contact them for a custom pricing plan.
DataCamp
Course Offering
DataCamp offers SQL Fundamentals, SQL Server Fundamentals, and a Data Analyst with SQL Server course. These courses are part of their nine technology courses, catering to the entire Data Science curriculum.
Unlike LearnSQL, the platform offers career tracks and skill tracks that enable students to learn more than SQL and craft themselves towards a career in data science.
Teaching Method
DataCamp delivers its courses using video-based learning and in-depth textual explanations that are crucial to improving the students’ understanding. The exercises expect the student to fill in blank spaces with codes that fit real-world scenarios, making them look for the most suitable SQL queries.
The courses are tailored primarily towards Python and R programmers, minimizing the practice of SQL to scenarios that would require its use.
User Experience
DataCamp offers a straightforward interface that makes account creation an instantaneous process. The interactive environment makes it easy for students to practice what they’ve learned, and a dark mode for consoles.
This learning platform is not recommended for SQL-only learners.
SQL Focus
DataCamp doesn’t have SQL as its sole focus. Instead, the language is part of its nine technologies, catering to an entire data science curriculum.
Additional Resources
DataCamp is rich in additional resources. The courses offer practice and projects that enable students to apply what they’ve learned in real-world situations.
The platform boasts of a data science blog, podcast, cheat sheets, step-by-step tutorials, webinars, and white papers. The Slack community enables the students to learn independently while the open-source courses made by users expand their learning experience.
Pricing Model
DataCamp offers a free account, but more features are available with subscription plans for Basic users at $12.42/month, and Premium users at $33.25/month.
Conclusion
In conclusion, LearnSQL.com is focused on SQL and offers numerous SQL courses taught using a hands-on approach. DataCamp takes a broader analytical approach and offers SQL courses as part of its nine technologies on data science.
Though both platforms have their unique features, the best one for you depends on your personal preferences and intended learning outcome. Nevertheless, both platforms have proven to be great resources for learning SQL and have helped many students improve their data management and analytical skills.
In today’s data-driven world, learning SQL has become essential for those interested in database management and analysis. This article has compared two platforms, LearnSQL.com and DataCamp, and their courses’ offerings, teaching methods, user experience, SQL focus, additional resources, and pricing models.
While both platforms are great resources for learning SQL, the better one for you depends on personal preferences and learning outcome. Regardless of your choice, investing your time in learning SQL can significantly enhance your data management and analytical skills, contributing to career progression and personal growth.