SQL Server has many features and functionalities that may not be well-known or widely used by many. Here are a few hidden gems in SQL Server that you may find useful: The OUTPUT clause: This clause allows you to return the values of the inserted, deleted, or updated...

There are several methods to encrypt table values in SQL Server. One of the most common methods is to use built-in encryption functions such as ENCRYPTBYPASSPHRASE and DECRYPTBYPASSPHRASE. Here's an example of how to encrypt the values in a table column called...

Transparent Data Encryption (TDE) is a feature in SQL Server that allows you to encrypt the entire database, including the data and log files, to protect sensitive data from unauthorized access. Here's an example of how to implement TDE at the database level using the...

A primary key is a column or set of columns in a table that uniquely identifies each row in the table. A primary key cannot contain null values and must have a unique value for each row. It is used to enforce the integrity of the data and to create a link between...

This is the most commonly used type of join. It returns only the rows that have matching values in both tables. The syntax for an inner join is: SELECT column1, column2 FROM table1 JOIN table2 ON table1.column = table2.column; Real-life example: A retail store has a...

LEFT JOIN: This type of join returns all the rows from the left table and the matching rows from the right table. If there is no match, the result will contain NULL values. The syntax for a left join is: <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>SELECT column1, column2</p>...

FULL OUTER JOIN: This type of join returns all the rows from both tables, whether there is a match or not. If there is no match, the result will contain NULL values. The syntax for a full outer join is: SELECT column1, column2 FROM table1 FULL OUTER JOIN table2 ON...

RIGHT JOIN: This type of join returns all the rows from the right table and the matching rows from the left table. If there is no match, the result will contain NULL values. The syntax for a right join is: SELECT column1, column2 FROM table1 RIGHT JOIN table2 ON...

When querying large tables, it's important to follow best practices to ensure optimal performance: Use indexes: Create indexes on the columns that are frequently used in WHERE clauses and JOIN conditions. This will allow the database engine to quickly locate the data...

There are several best practices for object naming conventions in SQL Server: Use meaningful and descriptive names: Object names should be clear, meaningful, and descriptive. Avoid using generic or abbreviated names. Use consistent naming conventions: Establish a...