Learn MySQL: The Best Courses and Resources

Constructing databases is part of a web developer’s job. Developers have plenty of options for how to go about making databases. When deciding which database solution to use, MySQL will come up as a popular option. This system makes it easy to store and locate any information you might need while developing software products.

What Is MySQL?

MySQL is a relational database management system that’s open-source and free to use. It was released by MySQL AB in 1995. 

The system works by organizing data into tables that are “related” in some way. It follows the client-server model, where computers called “clients” retrieve data via a connection with the  MySQL server where the data is stored.

There are several different graphical user interfaces (GUI) that MySQL clients use to facilitate interaction with the server, like DBeaver, DataGrip, SequelPro, Navicat, and HeidiSQL. MySQL users should choose the GUI that suits their data needs. Several of the options above are paid, but others are open source and offered through agreements like the GNU general public license.

As the tech industry has continued to grow, MySQL has remained relevant due to its use by data analysts and business analysts. Because of its flexibility, security, and ease of use, it’s been adopted as the database management system of choice by companies such as Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. 

What Jobs Use MySQL Skills?

Because MySQL works on most operating systems, it’s used widely in web development. Below are a few of the jobs that use MySQL skills. 

• Backend developer. The main job of backend developers is to build out the server-side of web applications and websites. They’re responsible for the data created in this process and for ensuring that the data solutions scale as necessary. MySQL makes it easy to store data safely and gives developers the means to recall data at a moment’s notice. 
  
  
• Data scientist. Data scientists use data to help companies make choices that will affect their future. If you’re hired as a data scientist, you will likely be responsible for collecting, sorting, and maintaining data. MySQL can help with all aspects of this job, allowing you to easily sort and navigate data. 
  
  
• App developer. The apps you use on your phone everyday store metadata on remote servers. This can include photos, text, or video. Regardless of the type of data, the app developer needs a way to comb through it. Due to its relational, rigid data structure, MySQL makes finding specific pieces of data in these huge sets much easier.
  
  
• DevOps engineer. DevOps engineers work with the software development and IT departments to ensure that software is developed in a timely manner and updated regularly. All of the data used to create a piece of software is stored on servers in case something needs to be updated. So, organizing data in a database like MySQL is an essential part of this job.
  
  

Steps to Learn MySQL

MySQL has been around for more than 25 years, and in that time, it’s established itself as a great database solution. Below are the steps you should take to get a handle on this software.

1. Determine if it Fits Your Needs

There are plenty of database systems out there for organizations of all sizes. Each one handles data in a different way. The first step to learning MySQL is to determine if it’s the right move for your career or the organization you work for.

Other options, like standard SQL, are considered better for inserting and removing data. A NoSQL database might be the best option if your primary concern is finding data quickly. After you have decided that MySQL is right for you, it’s time to take a look at how you can study this program.

2. Complete the Prerequisites

Though you can learn MySQL without any coding knowledge, it will be easier if you learn basic programming languages like Python, as well as the data structuring language SQL. The prerequisites you choose to learn will differ based on your career goals.

If you’re looking to get into data science, you might want to learn Python and R as part of your MySQL training. If you’re more interested in web development, you may want to learn CSS, HTML, and JavaScript. This way, you won’t have any trouble understanding MySQL when the time comes to organize data. 

3. Take Courses

You probably won’t be able to master MySQL independently. Your best bet is to take some courses online. There are courses on the basic structure and operations of MySQL, as well as more specific courses that will teach you how to use the program to suit your specific needs.

The Best Courses to Learn MySQL

Since MySQL is one of the best-known and longest-standing relational database systems, there are many courses available to help you learn it. Below are the best MySQL courses to take if you want to master the software. 

The Ultimate MySQL Bootcamp: Go from SQL Beginner to Expert

Complete beginners can learn how to build their own databases from scratch in this Udemy course. You’ll start by learning the programming language SQL. As you practice writing complex SQL queries, you’ll get a sense of the system’s relational nature and how it can help you store and search for data.

Demonstrating the software’s flexibility, this course is available for those with Windows, Apple, and Linux operating systems.

Excel to MySQL: Analytic Techniques for Business Specialization

This Coursera course teaches best practices for collecting, storing, and presenting data using several software tools. By understanding the differences between tools like Excel, MySQL, and Tableau, you’ll be able to apply them easily to your work.

This class is sponsored by Airbnb, and the top 10 students each year get the opportunity to present their final project to the company’s data scientists to receive live feedback. 

MySQL Learning Subscription

This is an official MySQL training course offered by the software’s current owner, Oracle Corporation. It’s hard to beat learning the intricacies of this database system from a company that has a vested interest in its success. 

MySQL Tutorial for Beginners | Learn MySQL

If you’re looking to learn the basics of MySQL, this Udey course is a good starting point. You’ll start by building your own MySQL server. Once you get the software installed and learn how to create and navigate tables, you’ll learn about constructing queries and joins. 

Web Applications for Everybody Specialization

This Coursera course is tailored toward people who want to build web applications from the bottom-up. It teaches you to use MySQL with programs such as PHP, jQuery, and Handlebars. You’ll start by creating very simple web development projects, then work your way up to more involved, dynamic builds.

This course is for students who already have a basic understanding of client-side languages like HTML, JavaScript, and CSS. 

Why Learn MySQL?

You should learn MySQL because it is a versatile database system that has applications in both tech and business spheres. It’s easy to use and has many possible applications. Many tech positions call for applicants with MySQL skills. Some jobs even require that you build your own MySQL database server.  

The ways that the system handles different data types can help you get a better understanding of your field. For example, as an app developer, learning how applications store and organize data can make your coding more efficient.

Learning MySQL is a great option for anyone that deals with large sets of data in their career.