Reading Time: 11 minutesIf you need to write a stored procedure within SQL Server, odds are it will be a stored procedure with parameters. It is much more common to see a stored procedure with parameters than one without parameters. It’s important you understand both input and output parameters, which we will discuss in this tutorial. I Continue Reading
The Basics
SQL Server Unique Index: Everything you need to know
Reading Time: 8 minutesIf you know a thing or two about Clustered indexes and Nonclustered indexes, you might be looking to “round out” the topic with an understanding of what a Unique index is. Unique indexes are a great way to enforce uniqueness in a column other than the Primary Key column. If Continue Reading
DATETIME2 Data Type: Explained
Reading Time: 7 minutesThe DATETIME2 data type is one of several data types used to keep track of date and time information, obviously. Just like any other data type, there is a time and place where DATETIME2 might be the preferred type to use over other date and time types, like it’s close Continue Reading
SQL Integer Data Types – Everything you need to know
Reading Time: 6 minutesKnowing the difference between all the integer data types available to us in Microsoft SQL Server is very important when it comes to the task of designing and developing SQL Server databases. Most people don’t realize that a data type is essentially a constraint, meaning the data type you choose Continue Reading
Top 6 tools you should know for writing AWESOME Select statements
Reading Time: 13 minutesAs a database professional, you will be asked to come up with SELECT statements to pull needed information in a meaningful and accurate way. Sometimes you will need to review other SELECT statements written by other people, too. Maybe those queries have a problem which is causing it to pull Continue Reading
SQL Server Transactions: An Introduction for Beginners
Reading Time: 12 minutesIf you plan on working with SQL Server for more than 5 minutes, you should expect to encounter something called a transaction very early in your career. Understanding SQL transactions is the first step in writing well-performing SQL solutions that are less likely to cause data corruption. Transactions are definitely Continue Reading
The ONE skill you should have if you want to be a Database Developer
Reading Time: 9 minutesIf you want to get into the fields of database development, database administration or data science, there is one skill you should have that will give you an advantage and make it easier to learn the tools necessary to do your job. This is a skill most database professionals already Continue Reading
CAST and CONVERT: A How-To Guide
Reading Time: 9 minutesTwo 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 minutesThe 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 minutesYou 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