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SQL Practice Problems: 57 beginning, intermediate, and advanced challenges for you to solve using a "learn-by-doing" approach
Real-world practice problems to bring your SQL skills to the next level
It's easy to find basic SQL syntax and keyword information online. What's hard to find is challenging, well-designed, real-world problems--the type of problems that come up all the time when you're dealing with data. Learning how to solve these problems will give you the skill and confidence to step up in your career.
With SQL Practice Problems, you can get that level of experience by solving sets of targeted problems. These aren't just problems designed to give an example of specific syntax, or keyword. These are the common problems you run into all the time when you deal with data.
You will get real world practice, with real world data. I'll teach you how to "think" in SQL, how to analyze data problems, figure out the fundamentals, and work towards a solution that you can be proud of. It contains challenging problems, that hone your ability to write high quality SQL code.
What do you get when you buy SQL Practice Problems?
You get instructions on how set up MS SQL Server Express Edition 2016 and SQL Server Management Studio 2016, both free downloads. Almost all the SQL presented here works for previous versions of MS SQLServer, and any exceptions are highlighted. You'll also get a customized sample database, with video walk-through instructions on how to set it up on your computer. And of course, you get the actual practice problems - 57 problems that you work through step-by-step. There are targeted hints if you need them that help guide you through the question. For the more complex questions there are multiple levels of hints. Each answer comes with a short, targeted discussion section with alternative answers and tips on usage and good programming practice. What kind of problems are there in SQL Practice Problems? SQL Practice Problems has data analysis and reporting oriented challenges that are designed to step you through introductory, intermediate and advanced SQL Select statements, with a learn-by-doing technique.
Most textbooks and courses have some practice problems. But most often, they're used just to illustrate a particular piece of syntax, with no filtering on what's most useful. What you'll get with SQL Practice Problems is the problems that illustrate some the most common challenges you'll run into with data, and the best, most useful techniques to solve them.
These practice problems involve only Select statements, used for data analysis and reporting, and not statements to modify data (insert, delete, update), or to create stored procedures.
About the author: Hi, my name is Sylvia Moestl Vasilik. I've been a database programmer and engineer for more than 15 years, working at top organizations like Expedia, Microsoft, T-Mobile, and the Gates Foundation.
In 2015, I was teaching a SQL Server Certificate course at the University of Washington Continuing Education. It was a 10 week course, and my students paid more than $1000 for it. My students learned the basics of SQL, most of the keywords, and worked through practice problems every week of the course.
But because of the emphasis on getting a broad overview of all features of SQL, we didn't spend enough time on the types of SQL that's used 95% of the time--intermediate and advanced Select statements. After the course was over, some of my students emailed me to ask where they could get more practice. That's when I was inspired to start work on this book.
It's easy to find basic SQL syntax and keyword information online. What's hard to find is challenging, well-designed, real-world problems--the type of problems that come up all the time when you're dealing with data. Learning how to solve these problems will give you the skill and confidence to step up in your career.
With SQL Practice Problems, you can get that level of experience by solving sets of targeted problems. These aren't just problems designed to give an example of specific syntax, or keyword. These are the common problems you run into all the time when you deal with data.
You will get real world practice, with real world data. I'll teach you how to "think" in SQL, how to analyze data problems, figure out the fundamentals, and work towards a solution that you can be proud of. It contains challenging problems, that hone your ability to write high quality SQL code.
What do you get when you buy SQL Practice Problems?
You get instructions on how set up MS SQL Server Express Edition 2016 and SQL Server Management Studio 2016, both free downloads. Almost all the SQL presented here works for previous versions of MS SQLServer, and any exceptions are highlighted. You'll also get a customized sample database, with video walk-through instructions on how to set it up on your computer. And of course, you get the actual practice problems - 57 problems that you work through step-by-step. There are targeted hints if you need them that help guide you through the question. For the more complex questions there are multiple levels of hints. Each answer comes with a short, targeted discussion section with alternative answers and tips on usage and good programming practice. What kind of problems are there in SQL Practice Problems? SQL Practice Problems has data analysis and reporting oriented challenges that are designed to step you through introductory, intermediate and advanced SQL Select statements, with a learn-by-doing technique.
Most textbooks and courses have some practice problems. But most often, they're used just to illustrate a particular piece of syntax, with no filtering on what's most useful. What you'll get with SQL Practice Problems is the problems that illustrate some the most common challenges you'll run into with data, and the best, most useful techniques to solve them.
These practice problems involve only Select statements, used for data analysis and reporting, and not statements to modify data (insert, delete, update), or to create stored procedures.
About the author: Hi, my name is Sylvia Moestl Vasilik. I've been a database programmer and engineer for more than 15 years, working at top organizations like Expedia, Microsoft, T-Mobile, and the Gates Foundation.
In 2015, I was teaching a SQL Server Certificate course at the University of Washington Continuing Education. It was a 10 week course, and my students paid more than $1000 for it. My students learned the basics of SQL, most of the keywords, and worked through practice problems every week of the course.
But because of the emphasis on getting a broad overview of all features of SQL, we didn't spend enough time on the types of SQL that's used 95% of the time--intermediate and advanced Select statements. After the course was over, some of my students emailed me to ask where they could get more practice. That's when I was inspired to start work on this book.
- GenresProgrammingReference
118 pages, Paperback
Published November 9, 2016
188 people are currently reading
186 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
August 20, 2022
عموما کتابای تکنیکال رو نمیزنم تو گودریدز، ولی واسه اینکه به چالش 2022 رسیده باشم میزنم :)))
سوالای sql بود و اکثرا ساده بودن
راجع به کوئری نویسیه، یعنی از زیر ساختای اس کیو ال و ایندکس کردن و اینا چیزی نمیگه
سوالای sql بود و اکثرا ساده بودن
راجع به کوئری نویسیه، یعنی از زیر ساختای اس کیو ال و ایندکس کردن و اینا چیزی نمیگه
April 18, 2020
A remarkable book for practicing TSQL !
I went straight to the "Advanced Problems" and I was a bit confused at first since I was not acquainted with the Northwind database. I had to Google the data model schema and after 3-4 exercises I was all set !
I enjoyed how the book is constructed. It starts with simple exercises and really builds upon the various challenges we encounter to create new and manageable problems. The perfect balance of difficulty made those problems a stimulating challenge for me.
I learned a lot, and I think some exercises were brilliant (n°51 and n°57). The expression used for the JOIN in exercise 51 is definitely something I will be using and the LEAD function in exercise 57 blew my mind haha.
However, I still think that some aspects of the book could be improved, especially when it comes to the solutions proposed. Although common table expressions are nice to structure the code (and are way clearer than nested SELECT), the author is sometimes creating CTEs that are not necessary and could be replaced by a single line of code.
For instance, in problem 50, there is no reason to have 2 CTEs in order to calculate the column "PercentTotal". The command SUM(COUNT(*)) OVER () can do the trick.
Same goes for problem 49, I think there is no reason to include a CTE. The following query works well and is simpler to read:
I also noticed some elements that were not necessary in my opinion.
For instance, in problem 36, there is no reason to JOIN the Orders and OrderDetails tables since we simply want to calculate the number of ProductID per OrderID. The OrderDetails table is already at the desired level of granularity.
I went straight to the "Advanced Problems" and I was a bit confused at first since I was not acquainted with the Northwind database. I had to Google the data model schema and after 3-4 exercises I was all set !
I enjoyed how the book is constructed. It starts with simple exercises and really builds upon the various challenges we encounter to create new and manageable problems. The perfect balance of difficulty made those problems a stimulating challenge for me.
I learned a lot, and I think some exercises were brilliant (n°51 and n°57). The expression used for the JOIN in exercise 51 is definitely something I will be using and the LEAD function in exercise 57 blew my mind haha.
However, I still think that some aspects of the book could be improved, especially when it comes to the solutions proposed. Although common table expressions are nice to structure the code (and are way clearer than nested SELECT), the author is sometimes creating CTEs that are not necessary and could be replaced by a single line of code.
For instance, in problem 50, there is no reason to have 2 CTEs in order to calculate the column "PercentTotal". The command SUM(COUNT(*)) OVER () can do the trick.
Same goes for problem 49, I think there is no reason to include a CTE. The following query works well and is simpler to read:
I also noticed some elements that were not necessary in my opinion.
For instance, in problem 36, there is no reason to JOIN the Orders and OrderDetails tables since we simply want to calculate the number of ProductID per OrderID. The OrderDetails table is already at the desired level of granularity.
February 17, 2023
Not a bad book! This book focuses purely on Microsoft SQL Server and more specifically DQL (Data Query Language) aspect of SQL i.e. basically just querying the database; no inserts, no creates etc.
I found it pretty easy for someone using SQL (DQL) for over 10 years (even most of the advanced topics). However, I found it useful as a refresher on writing the sort of queries one might need in a typical corporate environment.
For the beginner to even intermediate SQL skill level I think it is an excellent book and it really gets your hands data right from the outset by working on real questions about data a business user might tap you on the shoulder to ask you about.
The concept is great though! Getting you practising on a real case studies as you might encounter in your workplace.
I found it pretty easy for someone using SQL (DQL) for over 10 years (even most of the advanced topics). However, I found it useful as a refresher on writing the sort of queries one might need in a typical corporate environment.
For the beginner to even intermediate SQL skill level I think it is an excellent book and it really gets your hands data right from the outset by working on real questions about data a business user might tap you on the shoulder to ask you about.
The concept is great though! Getting you practising on a real case studies as you might encounter in your workplace.
March 19, 2020
Good and approachable book
This book has a very good set of questions for people who have some experience with SQL but aren't experts yet. Also, the amount of questions is very manageable for a week of focused studying.
This book has a very good set of questions for people who have some experience with SQL but aren't experts yet. Also, the amount of questions is very manageable for a week of focused studying.
March 28, 2018
Very good to practice your skills.
I would recommend this book as Exercise Material for those of you looking for some challenges!
I would recommend this book as Exercise Material for those of you looking for some challenges!
July 16, 2019
Beginner and Intermediate problems were too simple for me. However, I enjoyed the advanced problems. Got to learn many things. Now I have more weapons in my Sql arsenal :)
September 2, 2019
Interesting book with interesting problems on the SELECT command and functions. The code can be adapted for Oracle.
Read
June 21, 2020Great if you are beginning or at intermediate
Very practical. I cannot think of a better resource. Install MS SQL SERVER, load the db given and practice the queries.
Very practical. I cannot think of a better resource. Install MS SQL SERVER, load the db given and practice the queries.
September 7, 2020
These practice problems provide a very good transition from classroom or textbook to real work applications.
September 12, 2020
Good practice
December 18, 2021
This is beginner-friendly book which you can get some of popular problem you definitely meet on your daily basis.
Recommend for beginner!
Recommend for beginner!
January 24, 2023
Either my level has long since reached this book, or the book itself is superficial. I was thinking of raising my level of knowledge beyond advanced . I didn't learn anything new in the end.
July 21, 2023
Great book to test your SQL skills and gain confidence. I solved all problems in 2 days, which has made me feel a lot more confident in my SQL skills.
March 6, 2020
Practical book
Quick guide to get you started without the need to go through long explanations and theory. Good for people interested in data analysis.
Quick guide to get you started without the need to go through long explanations and theory. Good for people interested in data analysis.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews