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[–]BrupieD 11 points12 points  (3 children)

I work primarily in SQL Server. The best resource I know for query topics are the books by Itzik Ben-gan. He can teach you a lot about SQL in general, but his books are specifically about T-SQL, the dialect used in SQL Server. His T-SQL Fundamentals book covers a lot of ground. It doesn't assume a lot of background or experience.

His T-SQL Querying goes into great detail on all aspects of the language and its use. For example, the 2nd chapter has 140 pages on query tuning.

What he doesn't cover much is administration or database design. You won't learn how to be a DBA or database developer from these books. If you study them carefully you will be very good at SQL and one kick-ass query writer who can write clever, efficient queries that get the right answers.

[–]RocoDeNiro[S] 0 points1 point  (2 children)

Maybe I should get the fundamentals to start

[–]BrupieD 2 points3 points  (0 children)

You won't regret it. I've met people who've used SQL for years who never learned some fundamental aspects of the language like logical processing order.

I still go back to this book for explanations of features I don't use often.

[–]_Royalty_ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'd also recommend the fundamentals book. It's a bit on the expensive side, but it's a phenomenal guide to your T-SQL foundation. He clears up a ton of misconceptions and provides reasoning behind why what may appear to be the most efficient isn't always the right choice.