SQL and PostgreSQL: The Complete Developer’s Guide Course Syllabus

Overview: This comprehensive course guides beginners through SQL fundamentals and advanced PostgreSQL features, combining theory with hands-on practice. With approximately 6 hours of structured content, you'll progress from setting up your database environment to mastering complex queries, performance tuning, and data integrity controls. Each module builds practical skills used in real-world development and data analysis scenarios.

Module 1: SQL Basics & PostgreSQL Setup

Estimated time: 0.75 hours

• Installing PostgreSQL and pgAdmin
• Initializing your first database
• Understanding SQL syntax: SELECT, INSERT, UPDATE, DELETE

Module 2: Data Modeling & Table Design

Estimated time: 1 hour

• Defining tables with appropriate data types
• Implementing primary keys and foreign keys
• Applying normalization principles
• Enforcing data integrity with constraints

Module 3: Querying & Filtering Data

Estimated time: 1 hour

• Using WHERE clause for filtering
• Sorting results with ORDER BY
• Limiting output with LIMIT
• Pattern matching with LIKE and aggregate functions
• Grouping data using GROUP BY for summary reports

Module 4: Joins & Advanced Selects

Estimated time: 1 hour

• Performing INNER, LEFT, RIGHT, and FULL OUTER JOINs
• Using CROSS JOINs for Cartesian products
• Writing subqueries for nested logic
• Creating modular queries with CTEs (WITH clauses)

Module 5: PostgreSQL Advanced Features

Estimated time: 1 hour

• Applying window functions: ROW_NUMBER, RANK, and sliding aggregates
• Storing and querying JSONB data
• Working with array types and hstore extensions

Module 6: Performance & Indexing

Estimated time: 0.75 hours

• Interpreting query plans with EXPLAIN ANALYZE
• Using B-tree, GIN, and GIST indexes effectively
• Managing database bloat with VACUUM and autovacuum tuning

Module 7: Transactions, Views & Procedures

Estimated time: 0.75 hours

• Understanding ACID properties
• Managing transactions with BEGIN, COMMIT, and ROLLBACK
• Creating and using views and updatable views
• Writing PL/pgSQL functions and triggers

Module 8: Backup, Restore & Security

Estimated time: 0.5 hours

• Backing up and restoring databases using pg_dump and pg_restore
• Configuring Point-in-Time Recovery (PITR) with WAL files
• Setting up roles, privileges, and SSL connections

Prerequisites

• Basic computer literacy
• Familiarity with command-line interfaces is helpful but not required
• No prior database experience needed

What You'll Be Able to Do After

• Write efficient SQL queries to manipulate and retrieve data
• Design normalized database schemas with proper relationships
• Use advanced PostgreSQL features like JSONB and window functions
• Optimize query performance using indexing and execution plans
• Implement secure, maintainable database solutions with transactions and stored procedures