Course path
Analytics SQL Path
A focused path for metrics, period analysis, cohorts, joins, grouping grain, and executive reporting.
Who this path is for
A focused path for metrics, period analysis, cohorts, joins, grouping grain, and executive reporting.
- Audience: Analysts and product operators who need reliable metrics, cohort questions, and executive-ready SQL evidence.
- Prerequisites: Comfort with SELECT, WHERE, basic joins, and reading table grains.
Observable learner outcomes
The course states outcomes as observable SQL behaviors that can be checked through local attempts, hidden variants, reviews, and projects.
- Build metrics with safe aggregation, complete periods, and explicit numerator/denominator definitions.
- Explain cohort and retention queries with row grain, null behavior, and period boundaries.
- Produce project-ready reporting SQL with validation checks and caveats.
Estimated effort range
Estimated effort range: 14-22 hours. This is a planning range, not a fake guarantee; prior SQL experience, review spacing, and project depth change the total.
Cumulative reviews and project requirements are part of completion, so finishing the path means more than viewing lessons.
Ordered syllabus
Scan the ordered modules to see how the path builds from prerequisites through reviews and project work.
| Module | Topic | Activities |
|---|---|---|
| Module 14 | Aggregate Functions and Null Semantics | 7 |
| Module 15 | GROUP BY and Report Grain | 7 |
| Module 16 | HAVING, Conditional Aggregation, and Safe Ratios | 7 |
| Module 17 | Keys, Relationships, Cardinality, and Join Planning | 7 |
| Module 18 | INNER JOIN and Qualified Columns | 7 |
| Module 19 | LEFT JOIN, Missing Relationships, and Zero Counts | 7 |
| Module 20 | Multi-Table Joins and Fact Grain | 7 |
| Module 21 | Fan-Out, Pre-Aggregation, Self Joins, and Non-Equi Joins | 7 |
| Module 22 | Scalar and Set Subqueries | 7 |
| Module 23 | EXISTS, NOT EXISTS, and Correlation | 7 |
| Module 24 | Common Table Expressions and Query Pipelines | 7 |
| Module 25 | Set Operations and Compatible Result Shapes | 7 |
| Module 26 | Dates, Timestamps, Time Zones, and Half-Open Ranges | 7 |
| Module 27 | Period Grouping, Complete Calendars, Cohorts, and Retention Foundations | 7 |
| Module 28 | Window Foundations and Ranking | 7 |
| Module 29 | LAG, LEAD, and Period Change | 7 |
| Module 30 | Running Totals, Frames, Rolling Metrics, and Percent of Total | 7 |
| Module 31 | Logical Processing Order, Systematic Debugging, and Data Quality | 7 |
| Module 32 | INSERT, UPDATE, DELETE, and RETURNING | 7 |
| Module 33 | Transactions, Constraints, and Upserts | 7 |
| Module 34 | EXPLAIN, Index Fundamentals, and Query Quality | 7 |
- Module 14: Aggregate Functions and Null Semantics
- Module 15: GROUP BY and Report Grain
- Module 16: HAVING, Conditional Aggregation, and Safe Ratios
- Module 17: Keys, Relationships, Cardinality, and Join Planning
- Module 18: INNER JOIN and Qualified Columns
- Module 19: LEFT JOIN, Missing Relationships, and Zero Counts
- Module 20: Multi-Table Joins and Fact Grain
- Module 21: Fan-Out, Pre-Aggregation, Self Joins, and Non-Equi Joins
- Module 22: Scalar and Set Subqueries
- Module 23: EXISTS, NOT EXISTS, and Correlation
- Module 24: Common Table Expressions and Query Pipelines
- Module 25: Set Operations and Compatible Result Shapes
- Module 26: Dates, Timestamps, Time Zones, and Half-Open Ranges
- Module 27: Period Grouping, Complete Calendars, Cohorts, and Retention Foundations
- Module 28: Window Foundations and Ranking
- Module 29: LAG, LEAD, and Period Change
- Module 30: Running Totals, Frames, Rolling Metrics, and Percent of Total
- Module 31: Logical Processing Order, Systematic Debugging, and Data Quality
- Module 32: INSERT, UPDATE, DELETE, and RETURNING
- Module 33: Transactions, Constraints, and Upserts
- Module 34: EXPLAIN, Index Fundamentals, and Query Quality
Reviews, projects, and mastery
Completion uses independent attempts, delayed review, transfer evidence, and project milestones rather than simple page views.
Cumulative reviews, project requirements, and final transfer checks are visible parts of the course contract.
Start with the full path, or use path-specific practice when you want a focused session.
Page highlights
- Ordered modules with realistic effort and transfer expectations
- Original exercises tied to SQL Trail datasets
- Cumulative reviews and independent transfer checks
- Projects, references, and practice routes for the path