Reading Time: 9 minutes Two of the most common system functions you will see as a database developer are the CAST and CONVERT functions. These two functions perform in a similar way, with only slight differences between the two. The one you use will depend on your needs at the time. CAST and CONVERT Continue Reading
SQL Server CASE Statement: A How-To Guide
Reading Time: 8 minutes The CASE expression is a very handy tool you should know when querying data using T-SQL in a Microsoft SQL Server database. In this very brief tutorial, we’ll break down the CASE expression and show you exactly how to write it and how it can make your querying life easier. Continue Reading
SQL Server Cursors: A How-To Guide
Reading Time: 9 minutes You will likely find yourself needing to use the capabilities of a cursor to accomplish some task in Microsoft SQL Server at some point in your career as a database professional. Cursors are the tool we use when working with large amounts of data, where you need to basically iterate Continue Reading
SQL Server WHILE loop: A decision structure you should know
Reading Time: 7 minutes The WHILE loop is one of the most basic tools you should know when you are first starting out with Microsoft SQL Server. Sometimes when working with SQL Server, you need certain code to execute several times in a loop while some condition is true. As soon as that condition Continue Reading
SQL Server Wildcards: The 5 wildcards you need to know
Reading Time: 9 minutes You are the manager of a new up-and-coming hardware store in the city of Denver, Colorado. You are speaking with a new customer who says they own a woodworking business, and enjoy shopping at your store very much. They plan on being a regular customer, which you know will bring Continue Reading