Readers found five ways to simulate LEAD() and LAG() without the SQL Server 2012 analytic functions. This post shows each solution with its author, runs all five on SQL Server 2025 and compares the rows with the real functions. Four return the same ten rows and one adds a rule of its own.
SQL SERVER – Quick Note about JOIN – Common Questions and Simple Answers
A quick note about JOIN for T-SQL Tuesday: common questions I get in my office hours, answered simply, like which join method is better.
SQL SERVER- Differences Between Left Join and Left Outer Join
Is there any difference between LEFT JOIN and LEFT OUTER JOIN? A reader asked, and here is the short answer: none at all, they are the same.
Star Schema Queries and How SQL Server Runs Them
Star schema queries join a large fact table to focused dimensions; learn bitmap filters, columnstore, and indexes that support the real workload.
SQL SERVER – SELF JOIN Not Allowed in Indexed View – Limitation of the View 9
Self Join is handy, but it is not allowed in indexed view definitions. Limitation of the view 9 reuses my employee and manager example to show it.
SQL SERVER – Outer Join Not Allowed in Indexed Views – Limitation of the View 8
Why is an outer join not allowed in indexed views? Rows can logically disappear when you insert into a base table. Limitation of the view 8 shows an example.
Tagging With a Many-to-Many Table: Storing and Querying Hashtags
Store hashtags in a tag and bridge table, normalize input, query any or all requested tags, and count weekly trends without scans.