If you’re good with Excel, this is the coding language you should tackle first

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Francisco Osorio/FlickrCoding is a valuable skill to have, whether for personal or professional purposes.

With that said, not all coding languages are created equal. Different languages perform different tasks. And for the past few years, no coding skill has grown in demand more than SQL.

SQL, short for “Structured Query Language”, is a special-purpose programming language used for managing and analyzing large amounts of data. Companies with huge datasets keeping track of their customers, their assets, and the relationship between the two use SQL to interpret new information from previously established values. Although your idea of “coding” probably involves designing the layout of a webpage or giving instructions to a robot, SQL operates like a souped-up version of Excel instead, allowing users to manipulate data for whatever the task at hand.

Proper use of SQL can glean many useful insights, if you’re capable of asking the right questions and typing in the right queries. Google, Facebook, Adobe, Zappos, and many others all use this programming language to learn more about customer habits, for example.

If you think you’d like to learn SQL — to either start a new career or simply to add another arrow of skill to the quiver that is your life experience — Udemy is currently offering a class entitled SQL for Newbs: Beginner Data Analysis, which has over 36 lectures and 3.5 hours of content. Currently, you can get the course for just $14 with the promo code 30CELEBRATE.

SQL for Newbs: Beginner Data Analysis, $14 (originally $20), available at Udemy. [30% off with the promo code 30CELEBRATE]