When it comes to data analysis, SQL could be your best friend.

Nitika Dumera

Category: Strategy

06.21.2016

Ever heard of the computer language SQL?

SQL stands for Structured Query Language, and to save you from confusion, it’s pronounced “Sequel.” This code is designed for managing information in a relational database management system.

More simply, it’s used when companies have a ton of data they want to manipulate in a quick and easy way. If your company already stores data in a base, you may need to learn SQL to access the information.

But not to worry — you’re in the right place to get started with the basics!

*The database management application used for this SQL post is Microsoft Access*

Let’s say we conducted a poll at NJI and gathered data in Excel on all the furry four-legged employees in the office. With the overwhelming cuteness in the data, it may be difficult to look through and filter all of the information. However, we won’t have to get lost in our heart eyes, because we have SQL.

To do this, we will need to use the most common commands in SQL:

SELECT: Return results of specific columns

FROM: Specific table_name which the above columns live in

WHERE: Create a filter for the data that will be returned

FYI….

Our database is: NJI Media.

Our tables within that database are: nji_strategy, nji_dev, nji_design, nji_dogs, and nji_snacks

Our fields within the nji_dogs table include: last_name, first_name, birthday, breed, gender and color.

Which dogs at NJI Media are goldendoodles?

SELECT last_name, first_name

FROM nji_dogs

WHERE breed = “goldendoodle”;

Results:

Ludo Dumera

Ernie Fimka

Butter Scotch

Molly Hay

*Requirements for Access:

  • Commands must be in all CAPS
  • Query must end in “;”
  • “*” will automatically choose all columns in the table
  • Use “” within a command if data is an entity within a table

Check back next month to learn how to find the birthday results of all the male Goldendoodles at NJI Media!

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