modern-sql.com

One-line Introduction

modern-sql.com is a German online education site focused on the evolution of modern SQL standards and advanced SQL features. It is aimed at intermediate to advanced developers who already know basic SQL syntax and want to understand SQL standards such as SQL:2016 and SQL:2019 in greater depth. Its core value is not teaching you how to write queries step by step, but explaining why SQL is written in certain ways, how the standard has evolved, and where different database implementations diverge. For users who want to move from “I can write SQL” to “I understand the SQL standard,” it is a rare and highly specialized resource.

Business Overview

modern-sql.com was founded by Markus Winand, an independent technical author from Germany who is also known for the SQL book SQL Performance Explained. The site mainly consists of online tutorials, blog posts, and interactive examples. Its content focuses on important but often overlooked SQL standard features, such as WINDOW functions, recursive WITH queries, the FILTER clause, and row pattern matching. It is not a large platform or SaaS product; it is more like a personal knowledge base plus paid advanced learning materials. In terms of industry standing, many database professionals regard it as one of the authoritative resources for learning the SQL standard, especially in European and North American tech communities. Its audience is mainly mid-to-senior database engineers, data analysts, backend developers, and technical team leads. Enterprise customers appear to be less common; the site is more often used for individual self-study or as reference material for internal team training.

Who It’s For

This tutorial is best suited for users who can already write SELECT, JOIN, and GROUP BY queries comfortably, but struggle when encountering advanced features such as WINDOW functions, recursive CTEs, or JSON queries in interviews or real projects. It is not suitable for complete SQL beginners, nor for users who only care about a specific database dialect such as MySQL or PostgreSQL and have no interest in the SQL standard itself. Individual developers, technical leads in data teams, and architects who want a systematic understanding of how SQL standards have evolved will benefit the most. Small teams with regular internal tech-sharing sessions can also use it as advanced training material. Enterprise users may find the content somewhat theoretical and lacking in hands-on project-based exercises.

Key Features and Highlights

• Deep coverage of SQL standard evolution: Instead of focusing on one database dialect, it explains the features added from SQL:1999 through SQL:2019, helping users understand why different databases behave differently.
• Interactive runnable examples: Some tutorial pages include an embedded online SQL environment based on PostgreSQL, allowing users to modify and execute queries directly to verify standard behavior.
• Performance and optimization perspective: Continuing the style of SQL Performance Explained, the site emphasizes the trade-offs between “standard-compliant SQL” and execution efficiency, rather than simply teaching syntax.
• Advanced-content focus: It skips basic SELECT/INSERT material and goes straight into frequently used but difficult topics such as WINDOW, recursion, FILTER, and ORDER BY in aggregates.
• Clear references to the SQL standard: Each feature is mapped to the relevant SQL standard version and section number, which is useful for users writing technical documentation or comparing database compatibility.
• No ads or hard selling: The website is clean and direct, with no pop-ups or excessive marketing, making for a focused learning experience.

Pricing Analysis

The site does not publicly disclose specific plan pricing. Based on the official pages, the core tutorial articles and blog posts appear to be free to read, while some deeper content, such as full online courses or ebooks, may require payment. Since no monthly or annual pricing is listed, it is difficult to determine the exact pricing tier. However, based on comparable technical tutorials—such as the SQL Performance Explained ebook, which is priced at around 20-30 USD—and the author’s reputation in the tech community, the paid content is likely in the lower-to-mid range, roughly 10-30 USD. No hidden fees were found, but there is also no clearly stated refund policy. Budget-conscious users in China should make full use of the free articles first before deciding whether to purchase any paid modules.

Using It from China

In terms of network accessibility, modern-sql.com can be accessed directly from mainland China without a VPN or other circumvention tools. Page load speeds are normal, and the response time of interactive examples is acceptable. The official site does not clearly list supported payment methods, but based on common configurations for German websites, it likely supports international credit cards such as Visa/Mastercard and PayPal. It does not support Alipay or WeChat Pay, and it is unlikely to provide Chinese invoices. Individual developers can usually complete purchases with a dual-currency credit card or PayPal. Enterprise users who need reimbursement may have trouble obtaining valid documentation. As for domestic alternatives, there are very few Chinese-language resources that directly focus on “SQL standard evolution.” Most options are scattered blog posts or partial chapters in books such as SQL in 10 Minutes, so modern-sql.com offers relatively rare content for users in China.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• High-quality, in-depth content focused on standards rather than dialects, ideal for advanced users
• Strong free articles with plenty of practical insights without requiring payment
• Intuitive interactive examples that can be edited and tested immediately, improving learning efficiency
• Authoritative author and well-sourced references
• Direct access from mainland China without extra network tools

Cons:

• Pricing is not transparent; the exact scope and pricing of paid content require further exploration
• No clear refund policy, so purchases carry some risk
• No Alipay/WeChat Pay support and no invoice service, making it inconvenient for Chinese enterprise users
• Content leans theoretical and lacks large-scale hands-on project cases
• Update frequency is relatively low, so coverage of newer standards such as SQL:2023 may lag behind

Comparison with Similar Products

• SQL Performance Explained (same author): Focuses on indexes and execution plan optimization, complementing modern-sql.com. The former is more about performance tuning, while the latter is more about standard SQL syntax and evolution.
• Use The Index, Luke (free online book): Also by Markus Winand, this resource focuses on B-tree index principles. It does not directly compete with modern-sql.com, but the target audience overlaps.
• PostgreSQL official documentation / MySQL official documentation: These are authoritative and free, but their content is organized around specific dialects and does not systematically explain the evolution of SQL standards. modern-sql.com is better suited for users who want to learn across databases.

Final Recommendation

modern-sql.com is a good fit if you are already comfortable using SQL and want to systematically learn advanced features such as WINDOW functions and recursive CTEs while also understanding differences between database implementations and SQL standards. It is not suitable for complete SQL beginners, DBAs who only care about a single database dialect, or enterprise users who need invoices for reimbursement. A sensible approach is to spend one to two weeks reading all the free articles on the site first, especially the series on WINDOW functions and SQL standard evolution. If those materials are useful to you, then consider purchasing paid modules. Because there is no refund guarantee, it is not advisable to make a large one-time payment; a single purchase is preferable to a subscription if available.