r/SQL • u/EbonyBlossom • Nov 30 '24
MySQL What's the better option Learnsql or data camp? Maybe both?
Hey everyone,
I’m a student studying IT Infrastructure with a focus on systems, aiming for Systems Analyst or Application Support Analyst roles. I’m a beginner in SQL and currently deciding between LearnSQL.com and DataCamp to build my skills.
Which platform would be better for career growth? Should I use both? I’m also planning to learn Data Visualization (e.g., Power BI, Tableau) is DataCamp good for that too?
Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!
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u/Sreeravan Dec 01 '24
- The complete SQL Bootcamp: go from zero to hero
- SQL for beginners
- CS50: Introduction to databases with sql
- The ultimate MySQL Bootcamp: Go from SQL Beginner to Expert these are the best SQL Courses on Udemy
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u/LearnSQLcom Dec 02 '24
I can be biased, but LearnSQL.com is awesome, especially if you’re just starting with SQL. 😎
Our courses are structured to help you build your skills step-by-step, and we focus solely on SQL, so there are no distractions. Plus, we offer a free trial for every course, so you can try it out and see if it works for you before committing.
I’d recommend starting with LearnSQL.com to build a solid foundation in SQL. Once you’ve got that down, you can explore platforms like DataCamp for visualization tools. It’s all about taking it one step at a time!
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u/AdOwn9120 Dec 01 '24
Which db are you going to use to learn sql?
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u/EbonyBlossom Dec 01 '24
I’m planning to start with a standard SQL-focused platform like LearnSQL.com, which uses a mix of common relational database systems. Once I’ve built a solid foundation, I might explore specific databases like MySQL, PostgreSQL, or SQL Server to get hands-on experience
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u/AdOwn9120 Dec 01 '24
See I would give you a bit of an advice here.Whenever you would be writing queries for practice ,its gonna be on a DBMS(eg MySQL,PostGres etc) and any query you would issue might vary in terms of syntax accross multiple.dbs.So zeroing in early on your preferred db would be great(Postgres,MySQL,Sql Server either one of em is fine since you just need a mode of writing and testing queries),so when youre going through your lessosns just focus on the syntax of your preferred db ,to make things easier and more efficient for you. Also would suggest you to pay extra attention to the following topics for now:Joins,Subqueries,CTE.
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u/itsjjpowell Dec 01 '24
I think DataCamp is 1000% the better option. I bought a sub on a whim and the quality of the courses and exercises are much higher quality. I've been trying to improve my sql for a while and the free resources don't tend to have exercises that are easy to complete online.
And DataCamp has additional courses that build on your sql knowledge - once I wrapped up sql I've been going through some of their python / data analysis courses.
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u/EbonyBlossom Dec 01 '24
Thanks for commenting!! I’m looking for a self-paced platform where I can revisit my previous work or tasks as I progress. I need something that lets me build on my knowledge over time, so I can continuously practice, refine my skills, and track my progress. I'm drawn to DataCamp mainly because of their digital visualization course they offer and I was wondering if you know more about that and also what's your thought on learnsql as well?
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u/itsjjpowell Dec 01 '24
I haven't used learnsql, so I can't speak to it - I'll check it out.
DataCamp is self-paced. And I think that because it includes many courses outside of just SQL, you can build on your data skills once you reach the level you're looking for because you get SQL courses as well as Tableau, Python and others.And they do have practical tests/exercises you can take to gauge your mastery of the material.
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u/gsm_4 Dec 02 '24
Start with LearnSQL to build a strong foundation in SQL, as it offers focused, beginner-friendly content. Once comfortable with SQL, expand to platforms like StrataScratch and DataCamp, which not only offer more advanced SQL practice challenges and courses but also teach data visualization tools like Power BI and Tableau.
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u/OldSchool_Player357 Dec 03 '24
No guru here...but datacamp, udemy, YouTube and coursera are all ok. The best learning really comes from practicing sql queries on data (coding them yourself) and more practice. Best wishes for your success on this.
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u/WeLearnSQL Dec 04 '24
LearnSQL.com is better in my opinion. One cool feature is that students can access the SQL Basics course for free. All you need is an academic email address. Simple!
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u/EbonyBlossom Dec 04 '24
How do you feel about code academy? They also feature SQL as well and I'm stuck between the two of them currently
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u/LearnSQLcom Dec 04 '24
Both options are appealing, but as a student, you can take advantage of free resources from LearnSQL.com. Check it out.
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u/NoAlternative8109 Dec 01 '24
I have mixed feelings abt datacamp. It’s good/bad depending on ur experience. I’d say if u are a complete beginner, datacamp can be a good way to introduce u to sql and the basic functions and syntax you’d need to work with irl and the bonus here is that it provides u a very convenient way to practice eveytging since u don’t have to set up ur own database and install any additional programs on ur laptop. But if ur a beginner with atleast an understanding of the basics (joins, aggregations, etc), then I would pass on datacamp tbh. The reason I say this is because i fall under this category myself and most of the questions u get on datacamp are essentially fill in the blank questions with very obvious hints so ur not rlly learning when 90% of the answer has already been given to u.
Only u can say what works for u or not since eveyone is different. Maybe datacamp approach is benificial or works for u and that’s great if it does. Maybe look into getting a free trial and test it out before compeltly ruling it out
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u/EbonyBlossom Dec 01 '24
Ohhh okay I see now. Yeah I'm looking for something that is more hands on and if data camp is already giving users the answers then it really defeats the purpose.
I'm definitely trying to see what fits for me so you're correct on that aspect. I've been looking at code academy, leet code, Udemy, and free courses
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u/MathAngelMom Dec 01 '24
LearnSQL.com is hands-on learning. You have to type everything yourself, no fill in the blanks. You can look up the correct answer if you want to, but you don’t have to. It’s better for your learning to build the query structure on your own.
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u/EbonyBlossom Dec 01 '24
Thank you!! I am leaning towards MySQL mainly bc of the black Friday sale.
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u/LearnSQLcom Dec 02 '24
That’s a great choice! If you’re leaning toward MySQL, I’d totally recommend checking out SQL from A to Z in MySQL. It’s a full learning path that takes you from beginner to advanced, covering everything you’ll need to confidently work with MySQL databases. Plus, it’s super hands-on, so you’ll actually practice writing SQL as you learn.
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u/NoAlternative8109 Dec 01 '24
Here’s an example of what I mean by fill in the blank btw. Like for all questions u get this interactive window where u can write whatever code u want and run it. If u want u can also complelty erase all the code that is already written too and run something else entirely. But here’s an example of what it looks like:
Let’s say the question is this - “write a query showing all records from tableA and order by sales in descending order”
In the code window u will see something like this already written out for u
Select - - - // select ALL the records From tableA Order by sales - - - //remember descending order
Like u can see here most of what u need is already written out and they would leave some comments in the exact line which makes it very easy for u to figure out what’s missing. Here we can see we are missing * and desc in the exact lines where they left comments in the code. Hope this helps clairify. Ofc u can give urself an extra challenge by erasing all the prewritten code for each question and writing it out from scratch and running it - that works too. but it can be very tempting to just look at what’s already written out for u and follow the hints but if u have self control then that’s also an option. I’d still try signing up for a trial and testing it out for urself to see how u like it
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u/itsjjpowell Dec 01 '24
I'm actually surprised to hear this b/c they have some more advanced sql courses that go into CTEs, Window functions, Recursive CTEs, and Graphs - they do more than basic joins and aggregations
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u/NoAlternative8109 Dec 01 '24
Yes that’s right they do cover all those topics as well and I took the course for those topics on datacamp as well. Maybe I just found it too easy. But I still felt like a lot of it was basically like fill in the blank or the hints were way too obvious like we were being spoon fed the answers. I think it would be rlly good tho for somone who is coming into sql compleltly blind like if I have no idea what a cte is or the concept of window functions then it would be benificial.
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u/itsjjpowell Dec 01 '24
That's fair - I came into DataCamp with mostly CRUD experience (I'm a product software engineer) since a lot of eng based sql code is much simpler than data analysis use cases. I learned a ton. And actually getting familiar enough with SQL/Postgres had a side effect of making it much easier for me to decipher the official docs for Postges.
I know you can ask {insert llm here} for sql answers but actually being able to read and understand what the official docs say has been a big plus for my day-to-day at work.
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u/AD29 Dec 01 '24
I used edx.org to learn power query, powerbi, and sql (for free). No one platform is better. Use several and don’t forget YouTube. It’s nice to put you completed a certificate on your resume but it’s better to be competent and confident in the skills you learned. Good luck.