Why do you need to consider learning SQL? If you want to work in data development, it is essential. Structured Query Language (SQL), developed originally in the ‘70s, is now used everywhere. Given so many companies prefer it, its skillset is in very high demand. It’s certainly true that there are now more alternatives, but you’d be wrong to assume SQL is on its way – it’s very much here to stay. As opposed to being unnecessarily flexible and having a wide variety of uses, SQL is designed for a singular purpose: accessing and manipulating databases. It truly is the bread and butter of any developer.

Ubiquitous Use

Yes, SQL is old. Scream it if you like, then move on – fast. Predominantly because SQL is everywhere, and it’s here to stay. Almost all the biggest names in the tech industry will use SQL for certain purposes. While it may not be the primary language, it is still vital to understand it.

Lukas Kohler, an SQL writer for a Research paper writing service, is emphatic in his backing of SQL, “Even the big ones – Facebook, Google, Amazon. They all use SQL to query data and perform analysis. It’s a very pervasive language, by which almost everything either uses SQL or a newer derivative of it. It may be considered old, but it’s everywhere.”

Data-Driven World

In the modern tech industry, data has become one of the most valuable currencies on the planet. Industries do not merely use databases, but their functionality is entirely dependent on them for their day-to-day operation. SQL expertise has become critical DB developer, architect, and analyst roles. This reliance for all facets of business operations has led to huge demand, and significant growth in salaries for people proficient in SQL. When considering the rise in big data, we don’t expect this trend to fade away in the near future.

The basics are relatively intuitive – the average person will race through the basic concepts of SQL in merely a few days. Retaining a deeper understanding in order to become a highly sought-after SQL expert will require continued and in-depth training. This can seem like a counterproductive measure, given the rise of newer and trendier languages. However, as your variety of languages expands, the key will remain to engage with SQL on a regular basis to keep it fresh in your mind. It’s your bread and butter, don’t let that foundation start to slide or so too will your value.

SQL In Demand

It’s important to remember to focus on what your client wants. SQL is easily the most mentioned skill in the vast majority of advertised, a quick LinkedIn search will reassure you of its importance. Given an entry-level position, your main requirement is most likely to be data analysis – SQL is the language of data analysis for most companies, given its ubiquitous use.

Tech Blogger, Christopher Goodwin, for Essay Services recounted his recent study of the industry trends saying, “For data analysts, they need to appreciate that SQL is sought after three times more often as Python or R. It is not a reductive measure to learn SQL, it makes you more qualified. It will set you apart from other programmers who are only interested in the ‘cool’ aspects – SQL skillsets highlight your understanding of DB development and its role in the modern industry”.

Learning SQL

Many SQL online courses won’t prepare you for its use in the real world. The best way to approach learning SQL is learning to write SQL that is applicable to real-world business problems. When addressing data-heavy business questions during this process, you’ll combine data from a variety of tables, wrangling it into its final form. This won’t prepare you for real-world applications – instead, SQL must be learned as a fundamental complement to a more advanced tool. This way, you’ll be writing queries quite quickly that are applicable to the real-world problems you’ll face. 

Structured Query Language is bound to make you a valuable asset, and given its prevalence across the data-driven industries, it doesn’t appear to be fading away anytime soon.