I Completed HackerRank SQL Basic Select .Here's What I Learned...

Kumudha Balaji — Wed, 22 Jul 2026 03:54:40 +0000

A few days ago, I decided to strengthen my SQL fundamentals by solving problems on HackerRank. Today, I'm happy to share that I've completed the SQL Basic Select module.

It may seem like a small milestone, but every milestone matters when you're building your skills from the ground up. This journey has taught me that learning isn't about rushing to the finish line—it's about understanding each concept before moving on.

What I Learned

During the Basic Select module, I practiced working with some of the most essential SQL concepts, including:

Retrieving data using SELECT
Filtering records with WHERE
Combining conditions using AND and OR
Sorting results using ORDER BY
Removing duplicate values with DISTINCT
Pattern matching using LIKE and wildcards (%)

These concepts form the foundation of SQL, and solving multiple problems helped me understand when and why to use each one.

Lessons Beyond SQL

While solving these problems, I realized a few important things:

Read the problem carefully.
Many mistakes came from misunderstanding the question rather than not knowing the SQL syntax.

Think before you type.
Understanding the requirement first made writing the query much easier.

Small details matter.
A single keyword like DISTINCT, AND, or OR can completely change the output.

Practice creates confidence.
The more problems I solved, the more naturally I could identify the right SQL approach.

Looking Ahead

Completing the Basic Select module is just one step in my learning journey.

Next, I'll be diving into SQL Aggregations, exploring more advanced concepts, and continuing to build my skills as I work toward becoming a Java Full Stack Developer.

I'm excited to keep learning, building, and documenting my progress—one milestone at a time.

What Happens When an Ordinary Girl Decides to Document Her Journey to Becoming a Java Full Stack Developer?

Kumudha Balaji — Sun, 19 Jul 2026 12:24:58 +0000

Do you have 2 minutes? Let's find out together.

Before you continue, one small note...

This first article isn't about Java, SQL, or coding tutorials.

Today is simply about introducing myself, sharing why I decided to start this blog, and telling you what you can expect from the journey ahead.

The technical content begins from the next article.

Now, let me introduce myself.

Hello! I'm Kumudhasri.

Today isn't my birthday.
It's not New Year's Day.
I didn't receive a job offer today.
There isn't a special milestone to celebrate.

In fact, today is just an ordinary Sunday.

But then I asked myself,

"Why wait for a special day when I can make today special by taking the first step?"

I've never believed in waiting for the perfect time to start. There will always be another Monday, another month, or another excuse.

For me, the right time isn't tomorrow.

"The right time is right now."

So, this is where my journey begins.

I'm not someone with an extraordinary story, years of experience, impressive achievements, or exceptional skills. I'm simply a recent B.Tech graduate trying to become a Java Full Stack Developer.

Like many people starting out, I'm learning one concept at a time, solving problems, building projects, making mistakes, and figuring things out as I go.

Some days I'll make progress.
Some days I'll feel stuck.
And I'm okay with both.

Why am I starting this blog?

I'm not writing because I'm an expert.

I'm writing because I'm a learner.

This blog is my way of documenting everything I learn—not just the wins, but also the mistakes, the confusion, and the lessons that come from working through them.

I want this blog to keep me accountable.

I want a place where I can organize my thoughts, track my progress, and understand how far I've come.

Most importantly, I want my future self to look back at these posts and remember what the beginning looked like.

What can you expect from this blog?

If you decide to follow this journey, here's what you'll find:

SQL challenges and what I learn from solving them.
Java concepts that I discover along the way.
Projects I'm building from scratch.
Mistakes I make and how I fix them.
Lessons I learn that might help someone else on a similar path.
Small wins, difficult days, and everything in between.

This won't be a blog where I pretend to know everything.

Instead, it'll be a place where I share my learning honestly because I believe growth is more valuable when people can see the process, not just the result.

What am I trying to achieve?

A year from now, I want to come back to this very first blog and smile.

Not because everything became easy.

But because I kept going.

I hope I'll see someone who has become a better developer, a better problem solver, and a better version of myself simply by choosing not to give up.

Maybe this blog will help someone else who's just beginning.

Maybe it'll only help me.

Either way, it'll be worth writing.

A Promise to Myself

I don't know exactly where this journey will take me.

I don't know how long it'll take to reach my goals.

But I do know one thing.

Every article I write will represent one genuine step forward.

I'm not going to promise that I'll publish every single day.

I'm not going to chase fake streaks or write just because I feel pressured to stay consistent.

Instead, I promise myself this:

Every blog I publish will reflect something I genuinely learned.

I'll take breaks when I need them.

I'll recharge without feeling guilty.

I won't force myself to write for numbers, algorithms, or social pressure.

If I'm here, it's because I have something real to share.

I'm also open to genuine feedback and constructive criticism. I know I have a lot to learn, and if your suggestions help me become a better developer, a better writer, or a better problem solver, I'll truly be greatful.

After all, learning isn't just about writing it's also about listening.

Thank you for spending these two minutes with me.

Let's see where this journey takes me.

DEV Community: Kumudha Balaji

I Completed HackerRank SQL Basic Select .Here's What I Learned...

What Happens When an Ordinary Girl Decides to Document Her Journey to Becoming a Java Full Stack Developer?