Real SQL Queries: 50 Challenges - Softcover

Cohen, Brian

Softcover

ISBN 13: 9798991917803

Publisher: Belmont River Press, 2024

Synopsis

Sharpen your T-SQL Skills with Real-World Practice.

Practice is most effective when the challenges feel real, and that’s the driving force behind Real SQL Queries: 50 Challenges. This book delivers practical, business-focused problems drawn from the scenarios analysts face daily. You’ll sharpen your skills with realistic data questions spanning sales, marketing, HR, purchasing, and production. Whether you're an analyst, report writer, or anyone looking for a hands-on way to master SQL Server queries, Real SQL Queries gives you the experience that textbooks and tutorials leave out.

Written by a real SQL practitioner. Not generated by AI.
Every challenge, solution, explanation, and example in this book was 100% handcrafted from SQL Server experience.

Why this Book?

• Get Started Quickly. All challenges are based on AdventureWorks2022, Microsoft’s free sample database. AdventureWorks is intuitive to explore.
• Solve Real Problems. Studying concepts is useful, but nothing accelerates skill faster than a hands-on, problem-solving approach.
• Learn by Example. Each solution is fully documented, often showcasing multiple approaches to build versatility in your SQL problem-solving.
• Progress at Your Pace. Challenges are organized into three difficulty levels, helping you grow from foundational techniques to advanced concepts.
• Discover New Techniques. Explore diverse functions and methods that broaden your perspective on how to approach SQL queries.

Preview of Challenges to Solve (questions abridged)

• Year over Year Comparisons: An executive requests data concerning fiscal quarter sales by salesperson. She'd like to see comparisons from the fiscal quarters of 2014 to the same fiscal quarters of 2013.
• Ten Million Dollar Benchmark: Ten million dollars of revenue is a common benchmark for Adventure Works. For each fiscal year, find the first dates when the cumulative running revenue total hit $10 million.
• Expired Credit Cards: The Accounting department found instances where expired credit cards were used with sales orders. You are asked to examine all credit cards and report the extent of such activity.
• The Mentors: The VP of Sales wants the five most successful salespeople to mentor the five least successful salespeople. Create a list of salespeople to match one another.
• The Classic Vest: Rumors about the Classic Vest are floating throughout the purchasing department. Some people say it has been overordered....help by providing the facts.
• Employment Survey: Adventure Works is participating in a third-party employment survey among bicycle manufacturers. The Human Resources department asks you to help prepare data to submit.
• Tradeshow Giveaway: Adventure Works is participating in an upcoming trade show and plans to engage attendees with a raffle. Visitors who leave their business cards can win a bundle of products. Assist by finding a combination of three products that cost less than $120 in total. The objective is to get as close to the $120 budget as possible without exceeding it.
• Similar Products: Create a report to aid salespeople. The report will display information about similar, less expensive products to suggest.

Important Note: This book focuses on T-SQL for Microsoft SQL Server and is incompatible with MySQL, PostgreSQL, Oracle, or other database platforms.

All questions use AdventureWorks2022, Microsoft's sample database. A download link is provided on the book’s supporting website.

Solutions to all challenges are included in the book and available for free download.

Ready to level up your T-SQL skills? Dive in and start solving real-world problems!

About this title

From the Back Cover

Bridge the gap between online tutorials and real-world database work.

This book is organized into three distinct difficulty levels to help you build confidence and complexity as you progress.

LEVEL 1 CHALLENGE QUESTIONS
Needy Accountant ▪ Illustrations Needed ▪ Who Left That Review? ▪ Hire Dates for NDA ▪ Products in Yellow? ▪ Products and Their Subcategories ▪ Total Sales by Territory ▪ Email Marketing Campaign ▪ Special Offers ▪ Work Orders

LEVEL 2 CHALLENGE QUESTIONS
The Translators ▪ The 2/22 Promotion ▪ Vendor Credit Ratings ▪ Transaction History ▪ Holiday Bonus ▪ Commission Percentages ▪ Domain and Username Separation ▪ Loyal Customers ▪ Revenue Ranges ▪ Upsell Tuesdays ▪ Vacation Hours ▪ Two Free Bikes ▪ Excess Inventory ▪ Months Since Last Order ▪ Toronto

LEVEL 3 CHALLENGE QUESTIONS
Print Catalog ▪ Label Mix-Up ▪ Phone Number Types ▪ Revenue by State ▪ Scrap Rate ▪ Shift Coverage ▪ The Classic Vest ▪ Ten Million Dollar Benchmark ▪ The Mentors ▪ Year-Over-Year Comparisons ▪ Date Range Gaps ▪ Company Picnic ▪ Sales Reasons ▪ Revenue Trended ▪ Featured Product Reviews ▪ Employment Survey ▪ Costs Vary ▪ Expired Credit Cards ▪ Median Revenue ▪ Product Combinations ▪ Product Description Language Survey ▪ Similar Products ▪ Trade Show Giveaway ▪ Online/Offline ▪ Pay Rate Changes ▪ Sales Quota Changes ▪ Age Groups ▪ Overpaying ▪ Sales Order Counts ▪ Orphan Products/Vendors ▪ Calendar of Work Days

BONUS: SQL THOUGHT EXPERIMENT
Simple Twist of Fate ▪ Friend of the Devil

Here's what you will find on the companion website (URL inside):

✔ Convenient Access to Solutions: While all solutions are printed in the book, you'll also find a downloadable version for easy reference.
✔ Essential SQL Tools: Get direct links to SQL Server 2022 Express and AdventureWorks2022, so you can start practicing sooner.
✔ AdventureWorks Data Dictionary: Navigate the database effortlessly with a detailed reference guide.
✔ Errata & Updates: Stay current with corrections and enhancements as they become available.
✔ Connect & Learn More: Follow the author for insights, tips, and updates.

Everything you need to sharpen your SQL skills is waiting for you. Get your copy now to get started right away!

Edition details

• Publisher: Belmont River Press
• Publication date: 2024
• Language: English
• ISBN 13: 9798991917803
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 186