Course Content
Course 20461C:
MCSA: 70-461 Querying Microsoft SQL Server 2014
5 Days or 8 Evenings
Module 1: Introduction to Microsoft SQL Server 2014
This module introduces the SQL Server platform and major tools. It discusses editions, versions, tools used to query, documentation sources, and the logical structure of databases.
Lessons
The Basic Architecture of SQL Server
SQL Server Editions and Versions
Getting Started with SQL Server Management Studio
Lab : Working with SQL Server 2014 Tools
Working with SQL Server Management Studio
Creating and Organizing T-SQL scripts
Using Books Online
Module 2: Introduction to T-SQL Querying
This module introduces Transact SQL as the primary querying language of SQL Server. It discusses the basic structure of T-SQL queries, the logical flow of a SELECT statement, and introduces concepts such as predicates and set-based operations.
Lessons
Introducing T-SQL
Understanding Sets
Understanding
Predicate Logic
Understanding the Logical Order of Operations in SELECT statements
Lab : Introduction to Transact-SQL Querying
Executing Basic SELECT Statements
Executing queries which filter data using predicates
Executing queries which sort data using ORDER BY
Module 3: Writing SELECT Queries
This module introduces the fundamentals of the SELECT statement, focusing on queries against a single table.
Lessons
Writing Simple SELECT Statements
Eliminating Duplicates with DISTINCT
Using Column and Table Aliases
Writing Simple CASE Expressions
Lab : Writing Basic SELECT Statements
Write simple SELECT Statements
Eliminate Duplicates Using Distinct
Use Table and Column Aliases
Use a Simple CASE Expression
Module 4: Querying Multiple Tables
This module explains how to write queries which combine data from multiple sources in SQL Server. The module introduces the use of JOINs in T-SQL queries as a mechanism for retrieving data from
multiple tables.
Lessons
Understanding Joins
Querying with Inner Joins
Querying with Outer Joins
Querying with Cross Joins and Self Joins
Lab : Querying Multiple Tables
Writing Queries That Use Inner Joins
Writing Queries That Use Multiple-Table Inner Join
Writing Queries That Use Self Joins
Writing Queries That Use Outer Joins
Writing Queries That Use Cross Joins
Module 5: Sorting and Filtering Data
This module explains how to enhance queries to limit the rows they return, and to control the order in which the rows are displayed. The module also discusses how to resolve missing and unknown results.
Lessons
Sorting Data
Filtering Data with a WHERE Clause
Filtering with the TOP and OFFSET-FETCH Options
Working with Unknown and Missing Values
Lab : Sorting and Filtering Data
Writing Queries That Filter Data Using a WHERE Clause
Writing Queries That Filter Data Using an ORDER BY Clause
Writing Queries That Filter Data Using the TOP Option
Writing Queries That Filter Data Using the OFFSET-FETCH Clause
Module 6: Working with SQL Server 2014 Data Types
This module explains the data types SQL Server uses to store data. It introduces the many types of numeric and special-use data types. It also explains conversions between data types, and the
importance of type precedence.
Lessons
Introducing SQL Server 2014 Data Types
Working with Character Data
Working with Date and Time Data
Lab : Working with SQL Server 2014 Data Types
Writing Queries That Return Date and Time Data
Writing Queries That Use Date and Time Functions
Writing Queries That Return Character Data
Writing Queries That Use Character Functions
Module 7: Using DML to Modify Data
This module describes the use of Transact-SQL Data Manipulation Language to perform inserts, updates, and deletes to your data.
Lessons
Inserting Data
Modifying and Deleting Data
Lab : Using DML to Modify Data
Inserting Data
Updating and Deleting Data
Module 8: Using Built-In Functions
This module introduces the use of functions that are built in to SQL Server Denali, and will discuss some common usages including data type conversion, testing for logical results and nullability.
Lessons
Writing Queries with Built-In Functions
Using Conversion Functions
Using Logical Functions
Using Functions to Work with NULL
Lab : Using Built-In Functions
Write queries which use conversion functions
Write queries which use logical functions
Write queries which test for nullability
Module 9: Grouping and Aggregating Data
This module introduces methods for grouping data within a query, aggregating the grouped data and filtering groups with HAVING. The module is designed to help the student grasp why a SELECT clause
has restrictions placed upon column naming in the GROUP BY clause as well as which columns may be listed in the SELECT clause.
Lessons
Using Aggregate Functions
Using the GROUP BY Clause
Filtering Groups with HAVING
Lab : Grouping and Aggregating Data
Write queries which use the GROUP BY clause
Write queries which use aggregate functions
Write queries which use distinct aggregate functions
Write queries which filter groups with the HAVING clause
Module 10: Using Subqueries
This module will introduce the use of subqueries in various parts of a SELECT statement. It will include the use of scalar and multi-result subqueries, and the use of the IN and EXISTS operators.
Lessons
Writing Self-Contained Subqueries
Writing Correlated Subqueries
Using the EXISTS Predicate with Subqueries
Lab : Using Subqueries
Write queries which use self-contained subqueries
Write queries which use scalar and multi-result subqueries
Write queries which use correlated subqueries and EXISTS predicate
Module 11: Using Table Expressions
This module introduces T-SQL expressions which return a valid relational table, typically for further use in the query. The module discusses views, derived tables, common table expressions and inline table-valued functions.
Lessons
Using Derived Tables
Using Common Table Expressions
Using Views
Using Inline Table-Valued Functions
Lab : Using Table Expressions
Write Queries Which Use Views
Write Queries Which Use Derived Tables
Write Queries Which Use Common Table Expressions
Write Queries Which Use Inline Table-Valued Functions
Module 12: Using Set Operators
This module introduces Microsoft SharePoint Server as a platform for BI, and then focuses on building BI dashboards and scorecards with PerformancePoint Services.
Lessons
Writing Queries with the UNION Operator
Using EXCEPT and INTERSECT
Using APPLY
Lab : Using Set Operators
Write queries which use UNION set operators and UNION ALL multi-set operators
Write queries which use CROSS APPLY and OUTER APPLY operators
Write queries which use EXCEPT and INTERSECT operators
Module 13: Using Window Ranking, Offset, and Aggregate Functions
This module introduces window functions including ranking, aggregate and offset functions. Much of this functionality is new to SQL Server 2014. It will cover the use of T-SQL functions such as
ROW_NUMBER, RANK, DENSE_RANK, NTILE, LAG, LEAD, FIRST_VALUE and LAST_VALUE to perform calculations against a set, or window, of rows.
Lessons
Creating Windows with OVER
Exploring Window Functions
Lab : Using Window Ranking, Offset and Aggregate Functions
Write queries which use ranking functions
Write queries which use offset functions
Write queries which use window aggregate functions
Module 14: Pivoting and Grouping Sets
This module discusses techniques for pivoting data in T-SQL as well to introduce the fundamentals of the GROUPING SETS clause. It will also cover the use of GROUP BY ROLLUP and GROUP BY CUBE syntax in SQL Server.
Lessons
Writing Queries with PIVOT and UNPIVOT
Working with Grouping Sets
Lab : Pivoting and Grouping Sets
Write queries which use the PIVOT operator
Write queries which use the UNPIVOT operator
Write queries which use the GROUPING SETS subclause
Module 15: Executing Stored Procedures
This module introduces the use of existing stored procedures in a T-SQL querying environment. It discusses the use of EXECUTE, how to pass input and output parameters to a procedure, and how to
invoke system stored procedures.
Lessons
Querying Data with Stored Procedures
Passing Parameters to Stored Procedures
Creating Simple Stored Procedures
Working with Dynamic SQL
Lab : Executing Stored Procedures
Use the EXECUTE statement to invoke stored procedures
Pass parameters to stored procedures
Execute system stored procedures
Module 16: Programming with T-SQL
This module provides a basic introduction to T-SQL programming concepts and objects. It discusses batches, variables, control of flow elements such as loops and conditionals, how to create and
execute dynamic SQL statements, and how to use synonyms.
Lessons
T-SQL Programming Elements
Controlling Program Flow
Lab : Programming with T-SQL
Declaring Variables and Delimiting Batches
Using Control-of-Flow Elements
Generating Dynamic SQL
Using Synonyms
Module 17: Implementing Error Handling
This module introduces the use of error handlers in T-SQL code. It will introduce the difference between compile errors and run-time errors, and will cover how errors affect batches. The module
will also cover how to control error handling using TRY/CATCH blocks, the use of the ERROR class of functions, and the use of the new THROW statement.
Lessons
Using TRY / CATCH Blocks
Working with Error Information
Lab : Implementing Error Handling
Redirecting Errors with TRY / CATCH
Using THROW to Pass an Error Message Back to a Client
Module 18: Implementing Transactions
This module introduces the concepts of transaction management in SQL Server. It will provide a high-level overview of transaction properties, cover the basics of marking transactions with BEGIN,
COMMIT and ROLLBACK.
Lessons
Transactions and the Database Engine
Controlling Transactions
Isolation Levels
Lab : Implementing Transactions
Controlling transactions with BEGIN, COMMIT, and ROLLBACK
Adding error handling to a CATCH block
Module 19: Improving Query Performance
This module presents several key guidelines for writing well-performing queries, as well as ways to monitor the execution of your queries and their impact on Microsoft SQL Server.
Lessons
Factors in Query Performance
Displaying Query Performance Data
Lab : Improving Query Performance
Viewing Query Execution Plans
Viewing Index Usage and Using SET STATISTICS Statements
Module 20: Querying SQL Server Metadata
SQL Server provides access to structured metadata by using a variety of mechanisms, such as system catalog views, system functions, dynamic management objects, and system stored procedures. In
this module, you will learn how to write queries to return system metadata using these mechanisms.
Lessons
Querying System Catalog Views and Functions
Executing System Stored Procedures
Querying Dynamic Management Objects
Lab : Querying SQL Server Metadata
Querying System Catalog Views
Querying System Functions
Querying System Dynamic Management Views
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