Here's a list of resources I'd recommend [updated in July 2023], in no particular order. Each of these are action-oriented tasks that I would (and have) assigned to a new-to-the-job junior DBA on my team.
- Find and join an Azure Data Tech User Group near you.
- What happened to PASS? After financial collapse, PASS folded and was reorganized as an annual conference operated by RedGate. Many local in-person user groups have remained and need your help re-growing after the pandemic, so join in whatever capacity you can!
- See also:
- Register for the next SQLSaturday Baton Rouge (usually in July or August), or the nearest SQLSaturday or DataSaturday. Free Saturday conferences are a great way to jumpstart your learning, grow your local network, and even get started as a technical speaker.
- Somewhere in the world, a free Saturday community event is held almost every week.
- Register to volunteer too! Great for networking.
- Look for all-day pre-cons on the Friday before - they are usually a bargain for the quality and quantity of training.
- Check out all the self-guided labs and walkthroughs for SQL Server on Microsoft Learn, including these learning paths, each with many modules, such as:
- Azure SQL fundamentals
- Get Started Querying with Transact-SQL
- Understand data concepts
- Watch Azure SQL for Beginners content:
- Microsoft Cert DP-900 is a fundamentals-level exam designed for newcomers, students, and learners working in Azure SQL platforms (such as Azure SQL Database or Azure SQL Managed Instance). DP-900 can be taken remotely via virtual proctor or in-person and is a great first goal to aim for.
- Learn more about DP-900: Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Fundamentals and all the free prep content available, including:
- The free 50-question practice test from Microsoft.
- Free learning paths on Microsoft Learn, and lots more information and prep material.
- If you're going to be working in Azure, consider AZ-900 too, a great fundamentals-level exam about Azure in general.
- Register at SQL Server Central and look into some of the "Stairways". Pay special attention to:
- Stairway to SQL Server Security: http://www.sqlservercentral.com/stairway/110890/
- Stairway to SQL Server Indexes: http://www.sqlservercentral.com/stairway/72399/
- Stairway to Transaction Logs: http://www.sqlservercentral.com/stairway/73776/
- Stairway to Integration Services: http://www.sqlservercentral.com/stairway/72494/
- Codecademy.com free online learning labs for various languages including non-vendor specific tutorials on the SQL language standard:
- Learn SQL
- How to Analyze Business Metrics with SQL
- How to Transform Tables with SQL
- Codecademy also has tutorials on other languages including python, very useful in data science
- Pluralsight.com contains many hours of high quality instructional videos for many, many technical platforms.
- edX is a platform with tons of self-paced learning content, just check out all the stuff they have for the keyword SQL.
- edX offers a Microsoft-partnered, self-paced, 5-6 week Querying Data course.
- There are inexpensive training classes at LinkedIn Learning (formerly Lynda.com), for example Microsoft SQL Server 2022 Essential Training.
- Free video training content:
- Watch Data Exposed, produced by the Azure SQL product teams, for the latest
- Check out SQL Server's content on YouTube and Azure SQL's YouTube channel
- UserGroup.TV recordings of SQLSaturday and usergroups sessions.
- There are a ton of books out there for SQL Server (though not as many as there used to be) and the goal of this blog post isn't to do a book review any in particular.
- Here's an incomplete, not-exhaustive list to check out first. If you want, please add some to this list in the comments of this blog post. Special emphasis on free here.
- Yep, I was the lead author on this exhaustive look at SQL administration with SQL Server 2022 Administration Inside out by Microsoft Press, available anywhere that sells books. It isn't entry-level but is a good reference for any part of your career. I recommend it with the full caveat that I receive a small royalty on it.
- Learn dbatools in a Month of Lunches (also not free, but highly recommended)
- Azure Architects Connect: SQL on Azure (2022) (free PDF)
- SQL Sentry eBooks series: High Performance Techniques for SQL Server (free)
- SQL Server PDF's from Red-Gate (free)
- SQL Server Execution Plans (PDF) by Grant Fritchey (free)
- Brad’s Sure Guide to SQL Server Maintenance Plans (free)
- Build your local sandbox:
- Install the querying tools: SSMS or Azure Data Studio
- Download SQL Server developer edition, free install on Windows (for non-production use)
- Or get SQL Server running in Docker on Windows
- Keep learning:
Got additions and suggestions? Please add them to the comments in this blog post.
UPDATE: 9/30/2019 - new bit to replace MVA, add PASStv
UPDATE: 9/30/2019 - new bit to replace MVA, add PASStv
UPDATE: 7/30/2023 - refreshed sources and links
Thanks Dude. I was a pass member, but was not taking advantage of all they have to offer. Appreciate the post.
ReplyDeleteThanks for useful links, add codecadeny to my list of links: https://github.com/ktaranov/sqlserver-kit#sql-server-web-resources
ReplyDeleteA new training resource that has appeared on the horizon and which is growing at a ridiculously rapid rate, is the MOOC. You can get sign up for some good courses at:
ReplyDelete- Edx - https://www.edx.org/
- Coursera - https://www.coursera.org/
- Udacity - https://www.udacity.com/
There's also a lot of free or cheap courses on Udemy - https://www.udemy.com/courses/
Also SQLBits is a great site on which you can view a whole heap of videos relating to all aspects of SQL Server for free:
ReplyDeletehttps://sqlbits.com/default.aspx
Click on either speaker or event in left-hand column
Looking forward to the my second Baton Rouge SQL SATURDAY!
ReplyDeleteJust want to share old link https://mva.microsoft.com/en-US/training-courses/database-fundamentals-8243 not available, replaced with new Azure SQL Database content. It can still be found here: https://channel9.msdn.com/series/dbfundamentals/
ReplyDelete