SQLValidator – An Online Student Playground to Learn SQL

Abstract

The Structured Query Language (SQL) is the most widely-used language in database-related courses. As a consequence, writing SQL queries is a fundamental expectation from any university course in database systems. Practical exercises are an essential part of the SQL learning experience. These exercises enable participants to practice and acquire experience in the use of the different SQL concepts, such as clauses, predicates, and expressions. To this end, we developed the tool SQLValidator as a web-based interactive tool for learning and practicing SQL. Apart from using it for teaching, we also use it to administer questionnaires and practice tests to improve students’ learning experience. In this paper, we present the architecture and functions of SQLValidator. In order to assess the usefulness of SQLValidator, we monitor the performance of our students based on the semester activities and examinations. Our evaluation shows that SQLValidator is an effective tool that improves a student’s learning experience when learning SQL.