Gain a solid understanding of T-SQL—and write better queries Master the fundamentals of Transact-SQL—and develop your own code for querying and modifying data in Microsoft SQL Server 2012. Led by a SQL Server expert, you’ll learn the concepts behind T-SQL querying and programming, and then apply your knowledge with exercises in each chapter. Once you understand the logic behind T-SQL, you’ll quickly learn how to write effective code—whether you’re a programmer or database administrator. Discover how to: Work with programming practices unique to T-SQL Create database tables and define data integrity Query multiple tables using joins and subqueries Simplify code and improve maintainability with table expressions Implement insert, update, delete, and merge data modification strategies Tackle advanced techniques such as window functions, pivoting and grouping sets Control data consistency using isolation levels, and mitigate deadlocks and blocking Take T-SQL to the next level with programmable objects

Tackle the toughest set-based querying and query tuning problems--guided by an author team with in-depth, inside knowledge of T-SQL. Deepen your understanding of architecture and internals--and gain practical approaches and advanced techniques to optimize your code's performance. Discover how to: Move from procedural programming to the language of sets and logic Optimize query tuning with a top-down methodology Assess algorithmic complexity to predict performance Compare data-aggregation techniques, including new grouping sets Manage data modification--insert, delete, update, merge--for performance Write more efficient queries against partitioned tables Work with graphs, trees, hierarchies, and recursive queries Plus--Use pure-logic puzzles to sharpen your problem-solving skills

T-SQL insiders help you tackle your toughest queries and query-tuning problems Squeeze maximum performance and efficiency from every T-SQL query you write or tune. Four leading experts take an in-depth look at T-SQL’s internal architecture and offer advanced practical techniques for optimizing response time and resource usage. Emphasizing a correct understanding of the language and its foundations, the authors present unique solutions they have spent years developing and refining. All code and techniques are fully updated to reflect new T-SQL enhancements in Microsoft SQL Server 2014 and SQL Server 2012. Write faster, more efficient T-SQL code: Move from procedural programming to the language of sets and logic Master an efficient top-down tuning methodology Assess algorithmic complexity to predict performance Compare data aggregation techniques, including new grouping sets Efficiently perform data-analysis calculations Make the most of T-SQL’s optimized bulk import tools Avoid date/time pitfalls that lead to buggy, poorly performing code Create optimized BI statistical queries without additional software Use programmable objects to accelerate queries Unlock major performance improvements with In-Memory OLTP Master useful and elegant approaches to manipulating graphs About This Book For experienced T-SQL practitioners Includes coverage updated from Inside Microsoft SQL Server 2008 T-SQL Querying and Inside Microsoft SQL Server 2008 T-SQL Programming Valuable to developers, DBAs, BI professionals, and data scientists Covers many MCSE 70-464 and MCSA/MCSE 70-461 exam topics

Teach yourself SQL Server 2008—one step at a time. Get the practical guidance you need to build database solutions that solve real-world business problems. Learn to integrate SQL Server data in your applications, write queries, develop reports, and employ powerful business intelligence systems. Discover how to: Install and work with core components and tools Create tables and index structures Manipulate and retrieve data Secure, manage, back up, and recover databases Apply tuning plus optimization techniques to generate high-performing database applications Optimize availability through clustering, database mirroring, and log shipping Tap business intelligence tools—Reporting, Analysis, and Integration Services CD features: Practice exercises and code samples Fully searchable eBook For customers who purchase an ebook version of this title, instructions for downloading the CD files can be found in the ebook.

Master the foundations of T-SQL with the right balance of conceptual and practical content. Get hands-on guidance—including exercises and code samples—that show you how to develop code to query and modify data. You’ll gain a solid understanding of the T-SQL language and good programming practices, and learn to write more efficient and powerful queries. Discover how to: Apply T-SQL fundamentals, create tables, and define data integrity Understand logical query processing Query multiple tables using joins and subqueries Simplify code and improve maintainability with table expressions Explore pivoting techniques and how to handle grouping sets Write code that modifies data Isolate inconsistent data and address deadlock and blocking scenarios

An action-oriented, project-based self study guide to the essentials of Transact-SQL, the SQL variant used in the Microsoft SQL Server.

Use window functions to write simpler, better, more efficient T-SQL queries Most T-SQL developers recognize the value of window functions for data analysis calculations. But they can do far more, and recent optimizations make them even more powerful. In T-SQL Window Functions, renowned T-SQL expert Itzik Ben-Gan introduces breakthrough techniques for using them to handle many common T-SQL querying tasks with unprecedented elegance and power. Using extensive code examples, he guides you through window aggregate, ranking, distribution, offset, and ordered set functions. You’ll find a detailed section on optimization, plus an extensive collection of business solutions — including novel techniques available in no other book. Microsoft MVP Itzik Ben-Gan shows how to: • Use window functions to improve queries you previously built with predicates • Master essential SQL windowing concepts, and efficiently design window functions • Effectively utilize partitioning, ordering, and framing • Gain practical in-depth insight into window aggregate, ranking, offset, and statistical functions • Understand how the SQL standard supports ordered set functions, and find working solutions for functions not yet available in the language • Preview advanced Row Pattern Recognition (RPR) data analysis techniques • Optimize window functions in SQL Server and Azure SQL Database, making the most of indexing, parallelism, and more • Discover a full library of window function solutions for common business problems About This Book • For developers, DBAs, data analysts, data scientists, BI professionals, and power users familiar with T-SQL queries • Addresses any edition of the SQL Server 2019 database engine or later, as well as Azure SQL Database Get all code samples at: MicrosoftPressStore.com/TSQLWindowFunctions/downloads

Beginning T-SQL is a performance-oriented introduction to the T-SQL language underlying the Microsoft SQL Server database engine. T-SQL is essential in writing SQL statements to get data into and out of a database. T-SQL is the foundation for business logic embedded in the database in the form of stored procedures and functions. Beginning T-SQL starts you on the path to mastering T-SQL, with an emphasis on best-practices and sound coding techniques leading to excellent performance. This new edition is updated to cover the essential features of T-SQL found in SQL Server 2014, 2012, and 2008. Beginning T-SQL begins with an introduction to databases, normalization, and to SQL Server Management Studio. Attention is given to Azure SQL Database and how to connect to remote databases in the cloud. Each subsequent chapter teaches an aspect of T-SQL, building on the skills learned in previous chapters. Exercises in most chapters provide an opportunity for the hands-on practice that leads to true learning and distinguishes the competent professional. Important techniques such as windowing functions are covered to help write fast executing queries that solve real business problems. A stand-out feature in this book is that most chapters end with a "Thinking About Performance" section. These sections cover aspects of query performance relative to the content just presented. They'll help you avoid beginner mistakes by knowing about and thinking about performance from Day 1. Imparts best practices for writing T-SQL Helps you avoid common errors Shows how to write scalable code for good performance

Written for the MS SQL Server developer having performance problems with SQL, this book is a comprehensive guide to the T-SQL language including case studies and examples demonstrating how to write or rewrite T-SQL source code. In addition, the author covers several ways of writing code for optimal performance and maintainability.

Updated for the latest database management systems -- including MySQL 6.0, Oracle 11g, and Microsoft's SQL Server 2008 -- this introductory guide will get you up and running with SQL quickly. Whether you need to write database applications, perform administrative tasks, or generate reports, Learning SQL, Second Edition, will help you easily master all the SQL fundamentals. Each chapter presents a self-contained lesson on a key SQL concept or technique, with numerous illustrations and annotated examples. Exercises at the end of each chapter let you practice the skills you learn. With this book, you will: Move quickly through SQL basics and learn several advanced features Use SQL data statements to generate, manipulate, and retrieve data Create database objects, such as tables, indexes, and constraints, using SQL schema statements Learn how data sets interact with queries, and understand the importance of subqueries Convert and manipulate data with SQL's built-in functions, and use conditional logic in data statements Knowledge of SQL is a must for interacting with data. With Learning SQL, you'll quickly learn how to put the power and flexibility of this language to work.