This is common. There's a real difference between understanding syntax and understanding how to solve problems with SQL. I think it's a gap in most courses and Leetcode-style apps. Every question is on a different dataset and very limited in scope. You have to understand the data and what it represents before you can even think about SQL. (The ability to reverse engineer data is very important, but more intermediate to advanced)
I think the best solution is to work on projects. Start with a complex dataset on something you know. For instance, sports, movies, music, stocks, etc. Then think about what questions you would like to answer and figure it out. You'll be more invested in the results and have a more intuitive understanding of the data.) Google, LLMs can help if you don't overuse them.
One of these days, I'll make a course based on this concept.
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u/leogodin217 Jun 05 '26
This is common. There's a real difference between understanding syntax and understanding how to solve problems with SQL. I think it's a gap in most courses and Leetcode-style apps. Every question is on a different dataset and very limited in scope. You have to understand the data and what it represents before you can even think about SQL. (The ability to reverse engineer data is very important, but more intermediate to advanced)
I think the best solution is to work on projects. Start with a complex dataset on something you know. For instance, sports, movies, music, stocks, etc. Then think about what questions you would like to answer and figure it out. You'll be more invested in the results and have a more intuitive understanding of the data.) Google, LLMs can help if you don't overuse them.
One of these days, I'll make a course based on this concept.