Use window functions to write simpler, better, more efficient T-SQL queries Most T-SQL developers recognize the value of window functions for data analysis calculations. But they can do far more, and recent optimizations make them even more powerful. In T-SQL Window Functions, renowned T-SQL expert Itzik Ben-Gan introduces breakthrough techniques for using them to handle many common T-SQL querying tasks with unprecedented elegance and power. Using extensive code examples, he guides you through window aggregate, ranking, distribution, offset, and ordered set functions. You’ll find a detailed section on optimization, plus an extensive collection of business solutions — including novel techniques available in no other book. Microsoft MVP Itzik Ben-Gan shows how to: • Use window functions to improve queries you previously built with predicates • Master essential SQL windowing concepts, and efficiently design window functions • Effectively utilize partitioning, ordering, and framing • Gain practical in-depth insight into window aggregate, ranking, offset, and statistical functions • Understand how the SQL standard supports ordered set functions, and find working solutions for functions not yet available in the language • Preview advanced Row Pattern Recognition (RPR) data analysis techniques • Optimize window functions in SQL Server and Azure SQL Database, making the most of indexing, parallelism, and more • Discover a full library of window function solutions for common business problems About This Book • For developers, DBAs, data analysts, data scientists, BI professionals, and power users familiar with T-SQL queries • Addresses any edition of the SQL Server 2019 database engine or later, as well as Azure SQL Database Get all code samples at: MicrosoftPressStore.com/TSQLWindowFunctions/downloads

Anyone who interacts with today's modern databases needs to know SQL (Structured Query Language), the standard language for generating, manipulating, and retrieving database information. In recent years, the dramatic rise in the popularity of relational databases and multi-user databases has fueled a healthy demand for application developers and others who can write SQL code efficiently and correctly. If you're new to databases, or need a SQL refresher, Learning SQL on SQL Server 2005 is an ideal step-by-step introduction to this database query tool, with everything you need for programming SQL using Microsoft's SQL Server 2005-one of the most powerful and popular database engines used today. Plenty of books explain database theory. This guide lets you apply the theory as you learn SQL. You don't need prior database knowledge, or even prior computer knowledge. Based on a popular university-level course designed by authors Sikha Saha Bagui and Richard Walsh Earp, Learning SQL on SQL Server 2005 starts with very simple SQL concepts, and slowly builds into more complex query development. Every topic, concept, and idea comes with examples of code and output, along with exercises to help you gain proficiency in SQL and SQL Server 2005. With this book, you'll learn: Beginning SQL commands, such as how and where to type an SQL query, and how to create, populate, alter and delete tables How to customize SQL Server 2005's settings and about SQL Server 2005's functions About joins, a common database mechanism for combining tables Query development, the use of views and other derived structures, and simple set operations Subqueries, aggregate functions and correlated subqueries, as well as indexes and constraints that can be added to tables in SQL Server 2005 Whether you're an undergraduate computer science or MIS student, a self-learner who has access to the new Microsoft database, or work for your company's IT department, Learning SQL on SQL Server 2005 will get you up to speed on SQL in no time.

Apply powerful window functions in T-SQL—and increase the performance and speed of your queries Optimize your queries—and obtain simple and elegant solutions to a variety of problems—using window functions in Transact-SQL. Led by T-SQL expert Itzik Ben-Gan, you’ll learn how to apply calculations against sets of rows in a flexible, clear, and efficient manner. Ideal whether you’re a database administrator or developer, this practical guide demonstrates ways to use more than a dozen T-SQL querying solutions to address common business tasks. Discover how to: Go beyond traditional query approaches to express set calculations more efficiently Delve into ordered set functions such as rank, distribution, and offset Implement hypothetical set and inverse distribution functions in standard SQL Use strategies for improving sequencing, paging, filtering, and pivoting Increase query speed using partitioning, ordering, and coverage indexing Apply new optimization iterators such as Window Spool Handle common issues such as running totals, intervals, medians, and gaps

Expert T-SQL Window Functions in SQL Server takes you from any level of knowledge of windowing functions and turns you into an expert who can use these powerful functions to solve many T-SQL queries. Replace slow cursors and self-joins with queries that are easy to write and fantastically better performing, all through the magic of window functions. First introduced in SQL Server 2005, window functions came into full blossom with SQL Server 2012. They truly are one of the most notable developments in SQL in a decade, and every developer and DBA can benefit from their expressive power in solving day-to-day business problems. Begin using windowing functions like ROW_NUMBER and LAG, and you will discover more ways to use them every day. You will approach SQL Server queries in a different way, thinking about sets of data instead of individual rows. Your queries will run faster, they will be easier to write, and they will be easier to deconstruct and maintain and enhance in the future. Just knowing and using these functions is not enough. You also need to understand how to tune the queries. Expert T-SQL Window Functions in SQL Server explains clearly how to get the best performance. The book also covers the rare cases when older techniques are the best bet. Stop using cursors and self-joins to solve complicated queries. Become a T-SQL expert by mastering windowing functions. Teaches you how to use all the window functions introduced in 2005 and 2012. Provides real-world examples that you can experiment with in your own database. Explains how to get the best performance when using windowing functions.

Become an expert who can use window functions to solve T-SQL query problems. Replace slow cursors and self-joins with queries that are easy to write and perform better. This new edition provides expanded examples, including a chapter from the world of sports, and covers the latest performance enhancements through SQL Server 2019. Window functions are useful in analytics and business intelligence reporting. They came into full blossom with SQL Server 2012, yet they are not as well known and used as often as they ought to be. This group of functions is one of the most notable developments in SQL, and this book shows how every developer and DBA can benefit from their expressive power in solving day-to-day business problems. Once you begin using window functions, such as ROW_NUMBER and LAG, you will discover many ways to use them. You will approach SQL Server queries in a different way, thinking about sets of data instead of individual rows. Your queries will run faster, be easier to write, and easier to deconstruct, maintain, and enhance in the future. Just knowing and using these functions is not enough. You also need to understand how to tune the queries. Expert T-SQL Window Functions in SQL Server clearly explains how to get the best performance. The book also covers the rare cases when older techniques are the best bet. What You Will LearnSolve complex query problems without cumbersome self-joins that run slowly and are difficult to read Create sliding windows in a result set for computing such as running totals and moving averages Return aggregate and detail data simultaneously from the same SELECT statement Compute lag and lead and other values that access data from multiple rows in a result set Understand the OVER clause syntax and how to control the window Avoid framing errors that can lead to unexpected results Who This Book Is For Anyone who writes T-SQL queries, including database administrators, developers, business analysts, and data scientists. Before reading this book, you should understand how to join tables, write WHERE clauses, and build aggregate queries.

If you've not programmed with Transact-SQL, this book is for you.It begins with an overview of SQL Server query operations and tools used with T-SQL, and covers both the 2005 and 2008 releases of SQL Server query tools and the query editor. The book then moves to show you how to design and build applications of increasing complexity. Other important tasks covered include full text indexing, optimizing query performance, and application design and security considerations. The companion website also provides all of the code examples from the book.

Your hands-on guide to Azure SQL Database fundamentals Expand your expertise—and teach yourself the fundamentals of Microsoft Azure SQL Database. If you have previous programming experience but are new to Azure, this tutorial delivers the step-by-step guidance and coding exercises you need to master core topics and techniques. Discover how to: Perform Azure setup and configuration Explore design and security considerations Use programming and reporting services Migrate data Backup and sync data Work with scalability and high performance Understand the differences between SQL Server and Microsoft Azure SQL Database