Welcome to this Microsoft solutions workshop on Machine Learning in SQL Server. In this workshop, you'll learn how to use SQL Server to implement a complete Data Science solution using Machine Learning. You'll do this using a team-based process to implement your solution, and we provide a complete set of steps, project documents and more for this process. This course can be used as a template for a production-ready project.

The focus of this workshop is to understand how to create a machine learning solution completely within SQL Server.

You'll start by understanding the problem your organization wants to solve, collecting the data you need to solve problem, then creating an experiment, testing the experiment, and on to operationalizing the Machine Learning model - all with a focus on how to extrapolate what you have learned to create other solutions for your organization.

This github README.MD file explains how the workshop is laid out, what you will learn, and the technologies you will use in this solution. To download this Lab to your local computer, click the Clone or Download button you see at the top right side of this page. More about that process is here.

You can view all of the courses and other workshops our team has created at this link - open in a new tab to find out more.

In this workshop you'll learn:

• The SQL Server Machine Learning Architecture
• What Machine Learning is and what problems it solves
• The process for creating a Data Science project
• A team process consisting of phases to create a prediction or classification
• How to configure and use Machine Learning Services in SQL Server
• How to call the predictions or classifications in SQL Server one at a time, or in a batch request mode

This Workshop uses SQL Server 2019 (although the instructions work with SQL Server 2017 as well), and uses the Notebook feature in Azure Data Studio to send commands in SQL, Python, R and Java to a SQL Server Instance to demonstrate an end-to-end solution using the Team Data Science Process.

The goal of this workshop is to train data professionals to use Machine Learning in SQL Server for a secure on-premises, in-cloud, or hybrid approach to Data Science solutions.

The concepts and skills taught in this workshop form the starting points for:

- Data Professionals who need to learn about Machine Learning, and implementing Data Science projects in SQL Server
- Data Engineers who are or will be part of the Data Science Team
- Data Scientists who need to learn about working with Machine Learning, Deep Learning, and AI projects in a secure SQL Server platform

Businesses require deep information about their customers' behavior, and how they can leverage classification and predictive algorithms to maximize their value to the customer. Using Machine Learning algorithms over the data they already collect in an RDBMS, they can make more intelligent decisions about their actions.

The solution includes the following technologies - although you are not limited to these, they form the basis of the workshop. At the end of the workshop you will learn how to extrapolate these components into other solutions. You will cover these at an overview level, with references to much deeper training provided.

You'll need a local system that you are able to install software on. The workshop exercises use Microsoft Windows as an operating system and all examples use Windows for the workshop. Optionally, you can use a Microsoft Azure Virtual Machine (VM) to install the software on and work with the solution. If you plan to simply audit the course, the files have the results of the exercises already completed for you.

This workshop expects that you understand Relational Database systems (RDBMS) and the basics of working with data and datatypes.

If you are new to any of these topics, here are a few references you can complete prior to class:

• The Microsoft SQL Server Platform
• R for Machine Learning

A full pre-requisites document is located below in the Next Steps area. These instructions should be completed before the workshop starts, since you will not have time to cover these in class. Remember to turn off any Virtual Machines from the Azure Portal when not taking the class so that you do incur charges (shutting down the machine in the VM itself is not sufficient).

This workshop uses Machine Learning with R in SQL Server, with a focus on a clustering algorithm to solve a real-world problem.

Note: For a Jupyter Notebook-driven experience with Machine Learning Services using Python in a real-world example, complete this course, and then open this reference.

• Using Machine Learning Services in SQL Server with Java and Microsoft Azure Cognitive Services
• Microsoft R in SQL Server for Developers

Next Steps

Next, Continue to Pre-Requisites