GROUP BY Done Right separates row filters from group filters, handles NULL groups, and avoids totals inflated by careless joins.
Replacing a Cursor With a Set-Based Query
Replacing a cursor with one set-based update can simplify row processing; this worked example shows correctness checks and fair timing.
SQL SERVER – 2005 – SSMS – View/Send Query Results to Text/Grid/Files
Three ways to send query results to text, grid or file in SSMS: the shortcuts CTRL+T, CTRL+D and CTRL+SHIFT+F, the toolbar, or the menu bar.
SQL SERVER – Explanation SQL SERVER Hash Join
How a Hash Join works in two phases, build and probe, why it suits large data sets without indexes, and why it needs an equijoin predicate.
SQL SERVER – Cannot Resolve Collation Conflict For Equal to Operation
A collation conflict means character expressions use incompatible comparison rules. I choose the intended rules before applying COLLATE.
SQL SERVER – 2005 T-SQL Paging Query Technique Comparison (OVER and ROW_NUMBER()) – CTE vs. Derived Table
Paging in SQL Server 2005 with ROW_NUMBER: CTE vs. derived table. I compare both methods and show they give the same performance for common queries.
SQL SERVER – 2005 Explanation and Example – SELF JOIN
A self join joins a table to itself with table aliases. When to use one, why the joined columns must share a data type, and an employee example.