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Show me everything on SQL/Transact SQL (T-SQL)

DEFINITION - SQL (Structured Query Language) is a standard interactive and programming language for getting information from and updating a database. Although SQL is both an ANSI and an ISO standard, many database products support SQL with proprietary extensions to the standard language. Queries take the form of a command language that lets you select, insert, update, find out the location of data, and so forth. There is also a programming interface.

Getting started with SQL
To explore how SQL is used in the enterprise, here are some additional resources:
SQL and SQL Server Tutorial and Reference Guide: SQL (Structured Query Language) is the language of databases. This tutorial provides a great foundation for learning or brushing up your skills.
How to use the SELECT statement in SQL: Learn how to use SELECT to access almost anything contained in a SQL database, along with the names and functions of the clauses in a SELECT statement.

Learn more about SQL/Transact SQL (T-SQL)
Basics for working with DATETIME and SMALLDATETIME in SQL Server 2005: Learn how data is stored within DATETIME and SMALLDATETIME and get an overview of the TIMESTAMP data type -- as it's often confused with these two primary date/time data types.
SQL Server data conversions from date/time values to character types: Learn two built-in functions for SQL Server data conversion from T-SQL date/time values to character types. These methods include SQL Server CAST and CONVERT.
How to use rank function in SQL Server 2005: With ranking functions in SQL Server 2005, you can rank rows in result sets. This tip defines rank functions and gives examples of how to use the four available functions.
Exception handling best practices in SQL Server 2005: SQL Server 2005 brings you TRY/CATCH, a new T-SQL feature that helps find and address errors before they reach application code. Get best practices for working with it.
Create DDL table in SQL Server 2005 to audit DDL trigger activity: Create DDL table in SQL Server 2005 to audit Data Definition Language (DDL) trigger events when DML statements run. Define DDL trigger to track SQL changes.
Using the OUTPUT clause for practical SQL Server applications: Learn how using the OUTPUT clause in SQL Server 2005 queries simplifies T-SQL code and returns results of rows changed by an INSERT, UPDATE or DELETE SQL command.
Optimize T-SQL data types in SQL Server: To optimize Transact SQL (T-SQL) data types in SQL Server, learn how each type affects performance -- I/O, RAM and CPU in SQL Server.
Top 10 T-SQL tips for improved SQL Server development: Find out how to script SQL Server backups, why T-SQL in SSIS has pros and cons and what to do about poorly written T-SQL code that's causing SQL Server performance problems.
T-SQL error handling with Try…Catch blocks: T-SQL Try…Catch block for SQL Server exception handling has new, improved functions to handle errors when executing T-SQL code in SQL Server 2005.
T-SQL performance problems and solutions: Not all SQL Server performance problems are database-related. Poorly written T-SQL code could be to blame. Identify query problems and then get the workarounds in this clinic.
T-SQL commands vs. XML AUTO in SQL Server: XML functions may use more resources than standard T-SQL commands. Here are some performance implications when comparing XML AUTO with T-SQL commands.
Top 10 SQL Server development questions: SQL Server development can put you in a crunch. Get solutions here when it comes to concurrency problems, stored procedure results and writing T-SQL.
Top 10 SQL Server development tips of 2008: From converting date/time values into character types to retrieving XML data values with XQuery, these were the top 10 SQL Server development topics of 2008.
Additional T-SQL operations in SQL Server 2008: Learn how scalar operators, global variables and NULL values can be utilized in Transact-SQL in SQL Server 2008 in this book excerpt.
SQL Server 2008 function types in T-SQL: Functions in Transact-SQL can be either aggregate functions or scalar functions. This excerpt from "Microsoft SQL Server 2008: A Beginner's Guide" describes both.
Using T-SQL data types in SQL Server 2008: Learn the numerous data types used in SQL Server 2008's Transact-SQL language in this excerpt from "Microsoft SQL Server 2008: A Beginner's Guide."
Basic objects of T-SQL in SQL Server 2008: Discover the basic objects that drive T-SQL in SQL Server 2008 in this excerpt from "Microsoft SQL Server 2008: A Beginner's Guide."

LAST UPDATED: 04 Feb 2010

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More resources from around the web:
- You can find out more about SQL at the SQL Standards Home Page .





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