2025-Spring-DataAnalyticsAI-WS-CombineSQLPython

Repos for live workshop: Best of Both Worlds – Combining SQL & Python for Analytics
Location: ReDI-School Aarhus
Date: 2025-05-20 (May 20th, 2025)

Learning Objectives

By the end of the workshop, students will:

• Understand how Python connects and interacts with SQL databases.
• Know how to use Python to:
  • Run direct queries.
  • Call views, stored procedures, and functions.
  • Pass parameters to queries.
  • Work with result sets in pandas.
• Understand performance and maintainability considerations.

Prerequisites

✅ What You’ll Need

• Visual Studio Code - https://code.visualstudio.com/download
• Python (3.10 or newer) - https://www.python.org/downloads
• Git - https://git-scm.com/downloads
• A GitHub account - https://github.com

🧩 Extensions to Install in VS Code

• Python by Microsoft
• SQL Server (mssql) by Microsoft

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🗓 Combining SQL & Python Workshop Agenda

17:30–18:00 | Introduction & Setup

Ensure everyone has:

• pyodbc, installed.
• Connection string ready
• Confirm ability to run a basic query using Python in VS Code
• Quick review of how to use VS Code's Python and SQL extensions

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18:00–18:15 | SQL vs Python: Strengths & Use Cases

Concepts:

• What is SQL good at
• What is Python good at
• When to use both

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18:15–18:30 | How Python Talks to SQL (Connection & Querying Basics)

Concepts:

• Running simple queries

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18:30–18:50 | Querying Tables, Views & Using Parameters

Concepts:

• Using SQL views for abstraction
• Parameterized queries with Python
• Avoiding SQL injection and dynamic query pitfalls

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18:50–19:10 | Calling Stored Procedures and Scalar Functions

Concepts:

• Benefits of SQL stored procedures
• How to use

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19:10–19:30 | Combining Python Logic + SQL

Concepts:

• Examples combining the two languages

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19:30–19:50 | Challenge: Python app that inserts and reads from database table

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19:50–20:00 | Wrap-up & What’s Next

• Next steps:
  • Go home and reflect, then engage in Slack channel.
  • Practice site: sqlpad.io
• Push all branches to GitHub

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Slide Deck

Git Cheatsheet