Learn T-SQL Querying, 2nd Edition: A guide to developing efficient and elegant T-SQL code

Troubleshoot query performance issues, identify anti-patterns in your code, and write efficient T-SQL queries with this guide for T-SQL developers

Key Features:

• A definitive guide to mastering the techniques of writing efficient T-SQL code
• Learn query optimization fundamentals, query analysis, and how query structure impacts performance
• Discover insightful solutions to detect, analyze, and tune query performance issues
• Purchase of the print or Kindle book includes a free PDF eBook

Book Description:

Data professionals seeking to excel in Transact-SQL (T-SQL) for Microsoft SQL Server and Azure SQL Database often lack comprehensive resources. This updated second edition of Learn T-SQL Querying focuses on indexing queries and crafting elegant T-SQL code, catering to all data professionals seeking mastery in modern SQL Server versions and Azure SQL Database.

Starting with query processing fundamentals, this book lays a solid foundation for writing performant T-SQL queries. You’ll explore the mechanics of the Query Optimizer and Query Execution Plans, learning how to analyze execution plans for insights into current performance and scalability. Through dynamic management views (DMVs) and dynamic management functions (DMFs), you’ll build diagnostic queries. This book thoroughly covers indexing for T-SQL performance and provides insights into SQL Server’s built-in tools for expedited resolution of query performance and scalability issues. Further, hands-on examples will guide you through implementing features such as avoiding UDF pitfalls, understanding predicate SARGability, Query Store, and Query Tuning Assistant.

By the end of this book, you’ll have developed the ability to identify query performance bottlenecks, recognize anti-patterns, and skillfully avoid such pitfalls.

What You Will Learn:

• Identify opportunities to write well-formed T-SQL statements
• Familiarize yourself with the Cardinality Estimator for query optimization
• Create efficient indexes for your existing workloads
• Implement best practices for T-SQL querying
• Explore Query Execution Dynamic Management Views
• Utilize the latest performance optimization features in SQL Server 2017, 2019, and 2022
• Safeguard query performance during upgrades to newer versions of SQL Server

Who this book is for:

This book is for database administrators, database developers, data analysts, data scientists and T-SQL practitioners who want to master the art of writing efficient T-SQL code and troubleshooting query performance issues through practical examples. A basic understanding of T-SQL syntax, writing queries in SQL Server, and using the SQL Server Management Studio tool will be helpful to get started.