This course was developed by Itzik Ben-Gan, a mentor and one of the founders of SolidQ, Microsoft MVP, author of several books about T-SQL, a columnist in SQL Server Magazine, and a regular speaker at SQL Server related events.

This course focuses on writing and tuning queries and programming with T-SQL in SQL Server 2005, 2008, and 2012. In this course you will learn the details and capabilities of T-SQL in the following areas: Logical Query Processing; Query Tuning; Subqueries, Window Ranking and Offset Functions, Joins and Set Operations; Aggregating and Pivoting Data; Window Aggregate Functions; TOP, OFFSET-FETCH, and APPLY; Data Modification; Working with Date and Time; Programmable Objects (Dynamic SQL, Views, User Defined Functions, Stored Procedures, Triggers, Transactions and Concurrency, Exception Handling); Graphs, Trees, and Hierarchies.

During the course, you will learn how to use T-SQL to solve practical problems such as: Relational Division, Ranking and Offsets, Missing and Existing Values (Gaps and Island), Separating Elements, Running Totals, Pivoting and Unpivoting, Custom Aggregations, Dynamic Analysis of Grouping Sets, TOP and OFFSET-FETCH Problems, Top N Per Group, Paging, Aggregate over Columns, Data De-Duplication, Handling Sequences, Treatment of Temporal Intervals (Overlaps, Max Concurrent, Packing), Dynamic Filtering, and more.

Furthermore, you will learn how to tune your queries; how to develop efficient routines including user-defined functions, stored procedures, and triggers; work in multi-user environments with transactions and isolation levels; and use dynamic SQL securely and efficiently.

You will also learn how to maintain and query hierarchical data. You will learn what graphs, trees, and hierarchies are; the common requests against graphs; and how to write T-SQL code to handle those requests. Several different solutions will be presented including: enumerated paths, nested sets, nested iterations using recursive queries, and the HIERARCHYID datatype.

The course provides a dedicated module focusing on query tuning. The module covers internals and index tuning, index access methods, temporary tables, set vs. cursors, and query tuning using query revisions. Moreover, query tuning is at the heart of this course and is incorporated throughout the different modules.

With each querying/programming problem, the discussions will revolve around logical aspects, set-based vs. procedural programming, and optimization of the solutions.

Course Outline

Module 01: Logical Query Processing

• Logical Query Processing Order
• Logical Query Processing Example
• Phase Details
• Set Operations

Module 02: Query Tuning

• Internals and Index Tuning
• Temporary Tables
• Sets vs. Cursors
• Query Tuning with Query Revisions

Module 03: Multi-Table Queries, Ranking, and Offset Functions

• Subqueries and Table Expressions
• Window Ranking and Offset Functions
• Joins
• Set Operators
• LAB 03A

Module 04: Aggregating and Pivoting Data

• Window Aggregate Functions
• Pivoting and Unpivoting Data
• Custom Aggregations
• Grouping Sets
• LAB 04A

Module 05: TOP, OFFSET-FETCH, APPLY

• TOP and OFFSET-FETCH
• APPLY
• LAB 05A

Module 06: Data Modification

• Inserting Data
• Sequences
• Deleting Data
• Updating Data
• Merging Data
• The OUTPUT Clause
• LAB 06A

Module 07: Working with Date and Time

• Date and Time Datatypes
• Data and Time Functions
• Data and Time Challenges
• Data and Time Querying Problems
• LAB 07A

Module 08: Programmable Objects

• Dynamic SQL
• Views and Inline Table Functions
• User Defined Functions
• Stored Procedures
• Triggers
• Transactions and Concurrency
• Exception Handling
• LAB 08A

Module 09: Graphs, Trees and Hierarchies

• Graphs, Described
• Materialized Paths
  • Custom
  • Using the HIERARCHYID datatype
• Nested Sets
• Nested Iterations
  • Loops
  • Recursive Queries
• LAB 09A