Learn to speak the language of data. In this practical, hands-on course, you’ll gain the skills to write powerful SQL queries, manage relational databases, and analyze data using Oracle—one of the world’s most trusted database platforms.
Oracle SQL Basics
DatabasesDatabases
Oracle SQL
In today’s digital world, data is at the core of nearly every decision and process. Whether you’re working in government, environmental science, or business intelligence, managing and analyzing data efficiently is critical. Oracle SQL is one of the most widely used and powerful tools for this purpose.
SQL—short for Structured Query Language—is the language used to communicate with databases. And when it comes to large-scale enterprise data, Oracle SQL stands out for its robustness, performance, and security. It’s not just about storing data; it’s about being able to define, retrieve, update, and manage that data in a way that supports smarter decisions and more efficient systems.
At Geo-ICT, we understand the specific needs of professionals working with geodata and spatial systems. That’s why this course focuses on using Oracle SQL as a foundation for effective data handling within geographic information systems (GIS), environmental monitoring, and any data-intensive field. From simple queries to advanced analytics and transaction control, you’ll learn how to work confidently with Oracle databases to solve real-world challenges.
What will you learn
This course will guide you through the essential concepts of Oracle SQL, starting with the basics of relational databases and working up to more advanced querying and analysis techniques. You’ll start by learning how to define tables, assign data types, and set up relationships between tables using primary and foreign keys.
Next, you’ll practice writing queries to retrieve data using SELECT statements, filter results with WHERE, sort them with ORDER BY, and summarize them with GROUP BY. You’ll also learn how to insert, update, and delete records and how to manage data changes with transactions using COMMIT and ROLLBACK.
You’ll work hands-on with Oracle SQL Developer, Oracle’s official development tool, as you explore subqueries, joins, analytical functions, and set operators. Special attention is given to handling geospatial data and working with real-world datasets. By the end of the course, you’ll know how to write optimized queries, create reliable database structures, and analyze large data sets with confidence.
If you’re working specifically with geographic or spatial data, this course provides a strong foundation. For those who want to go deeper into spatial data types, coordinate systems, and geospatial analysis using Oracle, we recommend continuing with our Oracle Spatial course. It’s the next step for professionals looking to combine Oracle SQL with location-based insights.
Why choose this course
At Geo-ICT, we know that learning SQL is about more than just writing code—it’s about understanding how to manage data in a meaningful and efficient way. Here’s why this course stands out:
- Learn from experts: Our instructors have real-world experience using Oracle SQL in data-heavy industries, including geo-information and analytics.
- Practice what you learn: Every concept is paired with exercises that let you apply your knowledge to real scenarios.
- Relevant to geo-data: The course is tailored to professionals working with geographic and spatial data, with use cases pulled from actual projects.
Course structure
Day 1
We begin with the fundamentals of databases: relational models, entities, keys, and Oracle-specific tools. You’ll get familiar with Oracle SQL Developer, create your first tables using CREATE TABLE, and learn how to alter or delete tables as needed. You’ll also explore data types, constraints, and best practices for structuring your database.
Day 2
Now it’s time to manipulate data. You’ll write SQL commands to add (INSERT), change (UPDATE), and remove (DELETE) data. We’ll cover transactions and how to manage them safely. Then you’ll dive into writing queries using SELECT, applying filters with WHERE, and sorting results with ORDER BY. You’ll also begin grouping data and using built-in SQL operators to work with text, dates, and numbers.
Day 3
We wrap up with functions and joins. You’ll explore built-in SQL functions—such as those for strings, dates, and arithmetic—and learn how to nest functions for more powerful queries. You’ll also work with various types of joins, subqueries, and set operators like UNION, INTERSECT, and MINUS. Finally, you’ll get an introduction to SQL*Plus, Oracle’s command-line interface, and practice creating reusable scripts and reports.
Learning Outcomes
- Understand how relational databases work and how Oracle SQL fits into data management systems
- Create, modify, and manage tables using Data Definition Language (DDL)
- Perform data operations—insert, update, delete—using Data Manipulation Language (DML)
- Retrieve, filter, and sort data using SELECT queries and advanced SQL clauses
- Use joins and subqueries to combine and analyze data from multiple tables
- Apply grouping, aggregate functions, and analytical operations to generate reports
- Manage transactions using COMMIT and ROLLBACK to maintain data integrity
- Use SQL functions and operators to manipulate strings, numbers, and dates
- Work with set operators to merge or compare query results
- Gain hands-on experience with Oracle SQL Developer and SQL*Plus
More Information?
Do you have questions about the course content? Not sure if the course aligns with your learning objectives? Or would you prefer a private session or in-company training? We’re happy to assist—feel free to get in touch.
Frequently Asked Questions about Oracle SQL Fundamentals
In an Oracle SQL Fundamentals course, you’ll learn the basics of SQL and Oracle-specific features, including:
- Writing Queries: Select, filter, sort, and aggregate data.
- Data Manipulation: Insert, update, delete, and manage transactions.
- Schema Management: Create and manage tables, views, indexes, and constraints.
- Advanced Functions: Use Oracle-specific functions (e.g., analytic and hierarchical queries).
- Joins and Subqueries: Combine data from multiple tables and write nested queries.
- PL/SQL Basics: An introduction to procedural programming within Oracle.
- Performance Tuning: Learn Oracle-specific optimization techniques.
This course focuses on practical database management in Oracle environments, making it a solid foundation for Oracle certifications or database roles.
If your goal is to learn SQL for general use across multiple databases (e.g., MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQL Server), or you’re not tied to Oracle, standard SQL Fundamentals might be a better starting point. However, Oracle SQL Fundamentals provides a strong foundation in both standard SQL and Oracle-specific capabilities, making it more versatile for Oracle environments.
Yes, the Oracle SQL Fundamentals course is suitable for beginners. It starts with the basics of SQL, such as writing queries, filtering data, and understanding database concepts, making it an excellent choice for those with little to no prior experience. It gradually introduces more advanced topics, ensuring a solid foundation in both standard SQL and Oracle-specific features.
Yes, there are several good open-source alternatives to Oracle. These alternatives provide robust geospatial capabilities for data storage, analysis, and mapping. Here are some popular options:
- PostgreSQL with PostGIS
- MySQL with Spatial Extensions
- MongoDB (with Geospatial Features)
- SpatiaLite
- GRASS GIS with SQLite/SpatiaLite
- GeoServer
- QGIS (with database integrations like PostGIS or SpatiaLite)
While Oracle Spatial and Graph offer enterprise-level features, these open-source alternatives provide strong functionality and are cost-effective. PostGIS is particularly notable for its advanced geospatial capabilities and is often considered the best open-source replacement for Oracle in Geo-ICT.