AUDIENCE:   Anyone who will be using SQL to extract data from DB2, SQL/DS, or other relational database management system. PREREQUISITES:   The participants need no prior knowledge of the SQL language. DURATION:   3 days. Hands on. OBJECTIVES:   This course will provide students with SQL skills needed to build simple or complex interactive queries against data which is stored in DB2 (or similar) databases. The course includes an introduction to the structure and function of the DB2 product, and a comprehensive examination of the SQL language, including a progressive series of hands-on workshops to provide the student with experience in using the language. After taking this course the students should be able to utilise application programs to embed SQL statements within batch or on-line programs using DB2, SQL/DS, or similar SQL-based database management systems. COURSE CONTENT:   INTRODUCTION TO RELATIONAL DATABASE SYSTEMS The origin and history of IBMs relational products Terminology pertinent to relational environments Overview of DB2 system components How data is physically stored in a relational DBMS The logical organization of the database How the system retrieves data from the database Data relationships SQL syntax rules Using SPUFI (or QMF, ISPF) to build and execute interactive SQL queries USING SQL FOR DATA DEFINITION Understanding and using SQL data types The use and implications of NULL values Creating databases, tables, and other objects Deleting databases, tables, and other objects Understanding indexes When and how to use an index Advantages and disadvantages of index usage Primary and foreign keys Referential integrity The optimizer, indexes, and the EXPLAIN statement USING SQL FOR BASIC DATA RETRIEVAL Syntax of SELECT statements Tailoring a Select List to choose specific columns Building expressions Using the WHERE clause to choose specific rows How to eliminate duplicate data Coping with NULL values during data retrieval Using DISTINCT, ANY, and ALL Rules for logical comparison of data Boolean comparison, using NOT, AND, and OR Rules for arithmetic comparison of data Using IN and NOT IN to build include lists Using BETWEEN and NOT BETWEEN to define ranges Pattern-matching and building search arguments, using LIKE, NOT LIKE, and wildcard values Sorting output, using the ORDER BY clause The EXISTS and NOT EXISTS predicates USING SQL FOR ADVANCED DATA RETRIEVAL Aggregate (Built-In) Functions, including AVG, MIN, MAX, COUNT (*), COUNT (DISTINCT), and SUM Scalar Functions, including Conversion between different data types Date and time functions Character string concatenation GROUP BY and HAVING clauses UNION and UNION ALL keywords Joining tables How to specify join criteria Uses and rules for Sub-queries Uses and rules for Views USING SQL FOR DATA MODIFICATION The INSERT statement, including examination of statement parameters and referential integrity implications. The UPDATE statement, including examination of statement parameters and referential integrity implications. The DELETE statement, including examination of statement parameters and referential integrity implications. The COMMIT statement and database recovery.