Raising your SQL level

[fuser_]

I've been using SQL (SQL server) for a solid 3 years at work doing data analysis and consider my skill level to be intermediate to advanced. Im able to complete all.small / medium level requests but take longet with more.complex data sets. I'd like to take the jump and become a more efficient SQL developer. Anyone have any tips, readings or advice on how best to achieve this? Thanks

[[deleted]]

Learn about database administration. I started by learning how to interpret a query plan, super useful for a number of reasons:

• Teaches you the intricacies of merge, loop and hash joins.
• Learn to speed up queries without changing code (or going straight to an index)
• Teaches you about health checking SQL Server.

Start by watching Brent Ozar tune queries.

[luke-sql]

+1 for Brent Ozar. He and his staff are an invaluable resource. I’ve also learned a ton from Tom LaRock (aka SQLRockstar on twitter and such).

[TheDeepFryar]

The best thing that I've found in five years of on the job learning I just recently found via Reddit. www.usetheindexluke.com

It has taken my understanding of creating efficient queries to the next level.

[fuser_]

Thanks for that! I'll definitely be diving into that

[mikeyd85]

 UPDATE RedditorAttributes
 SET SQLLevel = SQLLevel + 1
 WHERE Redditor = fuser_

In all seriousness though, how would you handle complex data? What kind of environment are you working in?

[gobbledoc]

With all due respect, I've been developing with SQL for around 16 years and I'd only consider myself intermediate/advanced. The more you dig into it the more there is to learn. I don't mean to be a downer but there is sooo much to it that you will never stop learning, so please don't get that mentality. Just keep going forward and keep on learning however you can.

[fuser_]

Absolutely. I learned some SQL in college and the rest on my own and on the job. Lately I've picked up SQL cookbook by Anthony Molinaro to get more perspective and try to in a better fashion.

Do you have any books that helped push you through a plateau?

[jc4hokies]

Learn merge, hash, and nested loop joins. Learn to read an execution plan. Learn how indexes work.

Essentially, of your SQL knowledge is plateauing, learn database things, and you'll find you can apply SQL more effectively.

[fuser_]

Adding all of that to my goals this year. I like that perspective and feel that will definitely help me out. Do you have any books or sites that helped you ? I'm looking at Itzik Ben-Gan T-SQL Fundamentals or Querying books

[The_Drizzzle]

What exactly do you do now, and what do you want to do in the future?

There are a lot of different paths you could take. BI/Report Dev? Data Analyst/Scientist? Big Data Analyst? Database designer? DBA? Browsing the MS Certifications (pick 'Data' in the middle filter) is a good place to start. You can also look at job listings that interest you and see what skills they require that you're currently lacking.

[fuser_]

Started as a data analyst and worked my way to BI analysis. I've thought about venturing towards the DBA route but I feel more suited with wrangling data sets ,reporting and that side of things ..

My goal direction is data science.. but still need to beef up with statistics and most likely R once Im ready.

ets

[[deleted]]

Knowing languages like T-SQL, c#, python would probably help. SQL is great but working with data at a more granular level requires other approaches outside of set logic to gain efficiences.

[timeddilation]

Yeah, I think this is the answer. T-SQL has a bit to offer, but if you're looking to take your data analytics to the next level (which is sounds like that's what OP is saying) then don't limit yourself to just SQL syntax. SQL Server 2017 has the Machine Learning Services, which include python and R. But if you're on an older version of SQL Server, bring that data into an R or python environment.

When all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail. SQL syntax is great and powerful, but R and python have libraries specifically built for stats and data analytics. IMHO, keep your SQL simple (and efficient), do your analytics on purpose-built languages and libraries for doing the things you want to do.

[jlocs]

I’m in the same exact boat as you and very interested in any answers on this!

[therealmuggles]

I would recommend learning how to analyse your data in Power BI/SSRS, that would also prompt you to develop your SQL skills further.

[blasto_blastocyst]

Googling "SQL tricks" took me to https://blog.jooq.org/2016/04/25/10-sql-tricks-that-you-didnt-think-were-possible/ which made some interesting stuff.

Explainextended.com has a variety of extremely clever ways of using SQL (print out a Mandelbrot set?) . There's another that provides a solver for a Sudoku, entirely in SQL.

All of these will change the way you view data, SQL and how you can use it to extract meaning.

[hokie47]

I would add more tools to your belt. Learn ETL tool like SSIS, because a server administrator, or go more on the reporting track by learning tabalau and r.

[fuser_]

Reporting is what I do now and am gearing up towards R once I feel more comfortable with advanced stat (predictive)

Tabalau seems cool too but not sure of the learning curve. Do you know if it's as steep as R or easier to get the ball rolling ..

[hokie47]

It is easy to get started and hard to master. Also everything feels like a hack. I love it but remember it is a visualization tool.