The Oracle SQL & PL/SQL Fundamentals course is designed to give delegates practical experience in writing SQL statements and scripts using Oracle SQL. The basic SELECT statement, the use of SQL functions, SQL*Plus parameters and the basic table and view handling statements are introduced.
The course also provides practical experience in using Oracle's PL/SQL programming language to implement conditional execution, loop control, cursor handling and exception handling.
Similarly, the course is targeted to closely follow the official Oracle Database curriculum for certification.
Exercises and examples are used throughout the course to give practical hands-on experience with the techniques covered.
Course Objectives
To provide the skills needed to query and update data held in an Oracle Relational Database.
To provide an introduction to Oracle PL/SQL as a preparation for other Oracle products such as Forms and Reports.
Who will the Course Benefit?
Anyone who needs to use and understand Oracle SQL to query and update an Oracle database; and who also needs an introduction to the PL/SQL programming language.
Skills Gained
The delegate will learn and acquire skills as follows:
- Creating SQL statements to query database tables
- Using standard aggregate functions and related SELECT statement clauses
- Implementing extended SQL functions
- Joining Tables
- Using subqueries
- Creating and altering tables and views
- Inserting, updating and deleting rows in database tables
- Writing and running PL/SQL programs from SQL*Plus or SQL Developer
- Declaring and using variables and constants
- Assigning and manipulating values
- Using SQL statements within PL/SQL
- Implementing conditional execution and loop constructs
- Declaring and using cursors with and without parameters
- Updating data with cursors
- Trapping and handling errors and exceptions in code
- Implementing nested and labelled loops and blocks
- Raising exceptions
- Handling PL/SQL records and Index-By tables
- Using PL/SQL Index-By table built-in functions
Course Introduction- Administration and Course Materials
- Course Structure and Agenda
- Delegate and Trainer Introductions
Session 1: RELATIONAL DATABASE CONCEPTS
- What is an Oracle Database
- Relational Database Structures
- Tables, Rows and Columns
- Indexes, Primary Keys and Foreign Keys
- Data Types
- The Data Dictionary
Session 2: USING SQL*PLUS
- What is SQL*Plus
- Getting Started
- Entering and Executing SQL Statements
- Editing SQL Statements
- Creating, Editing and Executing SQL Files
Session 3: USING SQL DEVELOPER
- What is Oracle SQL Developer
- Starting SQL Developer
- Configure a Connection
- Navigation Tabs
- SQL Worksheet
Session 4: RETRIEVING DATA WITH THE SELECT STATEMENT
- The SELECT Statement
- The SELECT and FROM Clauses
- Conditions and the WHERE Clause
- Other Conditional Operators
- Logical Operators
- The ORDER BY Clause
- Column Aliases
- Arithmetic Expressions
- Precedence of Operators
Session 5: AGGREGATE FUNCTIONS
- Overview of Built In Aggregate Functions
- The GROUP BY Clause
- The HAVING Clause
Session 6: JOINING TABLES
- Overview of Table Joins
- Inner Joins
- Table Aliases
- Outer Joins
- Self Joins
- ANSI Standard Joins
Session 7: NUMERIC, CHARACTER AND DATE FUNCTIONS
- Function Types
- Using the Table dual to try out Functions
- Numeric Functions
- Character Functions
- String Concatenation
- Date Arithmetic and Date Functions
Session 8: CONVERSION AND MISCELLANEOUS FUNCTIONS
- Conversion Functions
- The NVL and NVL2 Functions
- The DECODE Function
- CASE Expressions
- The COALESCE and NULLIF Functions
Session 9: SQL*PLUS PARAMETERS
- Command Line Substitution Parameters
- The Accept Command
- The Define and Undefine Commands
Session 10: USING SUBQUERIES
- Overview of Subqueries
- Use a Subquery as an Alternative to Join
- Handle Multiple Records in Subqueries
- Subquery in a Having Clause
- Anti-Join
- In-Line Views
- Top-N Queries
- Complex Subqueries
- Multi Column Subqueries
- Correlated Subqueries
- Subquery Rules
- Combining Unrelated Aggregates
- Using the ANY, ALL and SOME Operators
Session 11: MANAGING DATA
- Inserting Rows
- Updating Rows
- Deleting Rows
- Verifying Updates
- Transaction Control
- Commit and Rollback
- Savepoints
- Commits and Constraints
- Amending Data in SQL Developer
Session 12: MANAGING TABLES
- Creating Tables
- Specifying Constraints
- Altering Tables, Columns and Constraints
- Dropping Tables, Columns and Constraints
- Copying Tables
Session 13: MANAGING INDEXES AND VIEWS
- Creating Indexes
- Dropping Indexes
- Listing Indexes
- Creating and Using Views
- Dropping Views
- Listing Views
Session 14: MANAGING SEQUENCES AND SYNONYMS
- Create a Sequence
- View Sequence Details
- Create a Synonym
- List Synonyms
Session 15: PL/SQL FUNDAMENTALS
- What is PL/SQL?
- Basic Elements
- Variables and Constants
- Data Types
- Initialising Variables and Assigning Values
- Using SQL Statements in Code
- Generating Output to SQL or SQL Developer
Session 16: PROGRAM LOGIC
- IF THEN ELSIF ELSE Statements
- CASE Statements
- The Basic Loop Construct
- WHILE and FOR Loops
- Nested and Labelled Loops
- The GOTO Statement
- The CONTINUE Statement
Session 17: USING CURSORS
- What is a Cursor?
- Implicit and Explicit Cursors
- Cursor Operations
- Declaring, Opening and Closing Cursors
- Fetching Rows
- Status Checking
- Using Cursors FOR UPDATE
- The Cursor FOR Loop
- Parameterised Cursors
Session 18: EXCEPTIONS AND NESTED BLOCKS
- The EXCEPTION Section
- Types of Exception
- Handling Named System-Raised Exceptions
- Handling Un-named System-Raised Exceptions
- User-Declared Exceptions and Application Errors
- WHEN OTHERS THEN NULL
- Nested and Labelled Blocks
- Propagation of Exceptions
- Scope of Variables and Cursors
- Scope of Goto Statements
Session 19: PL/SQL RECORDS AND INDEX-BY TABLES
- Declaring Record Types
- Handling PL/SQL Records
- Nested Records
- Declaring PL/SQL Index-By Tables or Associative Arrays
- PL/SQL Table Built-in Functions
- Manipulating PL/SQL Tables or Associative Arrays
Notes:
- Course technical content is subject to change without notice.
- Course content is structured as sessions, this does not strictly map to course timings. Concepts, content and practicals often span sessions.
Examinations
This Oracle SQL & PL/SQL Fundamentals course together with the Oracle SQL Advanced course covers the major topics required for the following exam:
- Oracle Database SQL Fundamentals 1Z0-071
Attending these courses and studying the associated reference materials can form part of the preparation to achieve certification. Experience, practice, self-study and aptitude are also key requirements for exam success.
Before taking any exam, ensure you have the recommended experience. The Oracle website lists all exam requirements and these are updated regularly.
Exams are not included as part of the course.
Requirements
There are no formal pre-requisites for the Oracle SQL & PL/SQL Fundamentals course, although an understanding of databases and exposure to information technology in general would be useful. This knowledge can be gained by attendance on the Relational Databases & Data Modelling Overview course.
Further Learning
- Oracle PL/SQL Stored Program Units
- Oracle Database 19c Administration
