T-SQL Fundamentals

by Itzik Ben-Gan

Effectively query and modify data using Transact-SQL
Master T-SQL fundamentals and write robust code for Microsoft SQL Server and Azure SQL Database. Itzik Ben-Gan explains key T-SQL concepts and helps you apply your knowledge with hands-on exercises. The book first introduces T-SQL’s roots and underlying logic. Next, it walks you through core topics such as single-table queries, joins, subqueries, table expressions, and set operators. Then the book covers more-advanced data-query topics such as window functions, pivoting, and grouping sets. The book also explains how to modify data, work with temporal tables, and handle transactions, and provides an overview of programmable objects.
Microsoft Data Platform MVP Itzik Ben-Gan shows you how to:

Genres: Programming, Technical, Reference, Computer Science, Technology, Nonfiction

464 pages, Paperback

Published August 3, 2016

About the author

Itzik Ben-Gan is a Mentor and Co-Founder of SolidQ. A SQL Server Microsoft MVP (Most Valuable Professional) since 1999, Itzik has delivered numerous training events around the world focused on T-SQL Querying, Query Tuning and Programming. Itzik is the author of several books including Microsoft SQL Server 2012 High-Performance T-SQL Using Window Functions and Microsoft SQL Server 2012 T-SQL Fundamentals. He has written articles for SQL Server Pro, SolidQ Journal and MSDN. Itzik's speaking activities include TechEd, SQLPASS, SQLU, SQLTeach and various user groups around the world. Itzik is the author of SolidQ's Advanced T-SQL Querying, Programming and Tuning and T-SQL Fundamentals courses along with being a primary resource within the company for their T-SQL related activities.

Itzik Ben-Gan is a co-founder of Solid Quality Mentors, a technical education company, and is a Microsoft SQL Server MVP.

Reviews

[Ivan Ivanov · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so glad to finally read that book.

For a long time I was trying to learn T-SQL by google searches and stackoverflow whenever I needed to do something other then the SELECT..GROUP BY and this approach led me to nowhere. It’s so much better to grab a well written book on the subject like this one. This book improved my knowledge about the T-SQL and SQL in general.

The material is well explained and at the end of almost every chapter there are exercises which I found super fun and very helpful.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent resource for those who want to learn T-SQL. Clear and concise content along with many exercises (and solutions) to help ensure you understand the content.

Highly recommended.

[Roach1 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super clear explanations of T SQL concepts

[Phong Vu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book on the subject, with good explanations and examples on a wide range of T-SQL's functionality, it gives readers a clear overview on the language, enable them to use T-SQL on most tasks related to SQL Server, as well as know what to look for when face more complex problems. Even T-SQL's veterans can benefit from this book, as it will help tie all the concepts together.

[Daniel Spaulding · Rating 4 out of 5]

Recommended to me by an analyst during a SQL Saturday event at MTSU. This book really covers the fundamentals of how SQL works. Is it worth reading cover-to-cover? For some maybe, but I've used this more as a reference guide while learning to better grasp what certain functions do and where to best place them in the query. Highly recommend if you're an analyst just starting off.

[Jack · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book for not only beginners to SQL but an excellent resource for anyone self-taught looking for a formalized teaching. The author makes a clear distinction between T-SQL and Standard SQL functions and explains the best practices.

[Steven Royalty · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a solid introduction to T-SQL as a practice and Itzik Ben-Gan does a wonderful job at teaching the reasons why you should do things a certain way. He excels at framing new concepts and syntax as an opportunity to solve a problem and the exercises he presents are great brain food. I found myself revisiting chapters and solutions as they really are great for exemplifying 'best practices'.

My only complaint is that the reading does become a bit dry, which is understandable, and some of the more advanced concepts are teased without much reason why. It leads the reader to believe he's only pitching his other book(s).

All in all, I'd recommend this to anyone looking to gain a quick and fairly comprehensive understanding of T-SQL within SSMS.

[Jon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great book for learning SQL Server/T-SQL. I already knew quite a bit of the material but it was laid out in such a way that it solidified what I already knew or it gave me insights into bits and pieces that I didn't know.

This is a great book for anyone who wants to solidify their T-SQL skills or learn T-SQL. I would say everything in the book is the basic knowledge any .NET developer needs to know if they work with SQL Server. It will make your life that much easier.

[Abdirahman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book

[Joan Acosta]

Great book! This book covers the fundamentals and it helps a lot to know how SQL Server works.

[mohamed abotir · Rating 5 out of 5]

good book has great information about t-sql and found good principal and good practices

[Nolan Games · Rating 1 out of 5]

W3 does it better.

[Kenneth Igiri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Still reading. About half way. Itzik Ben-Gan is an amazing teacher. Well versed and thorough in his presentation of T-SQL. It is simply amazing an inspiring the depth to which he delivers. he clarifies many things about the language and about SQL Server in the book.