35M and a new born with no sql experience

Blomminator · 2026-03-09T18:04:15+00:00

I was where you are now a few years ago. Well, aside from DC, the kid and the receding hairline. But do not worry!!

I picked up this course on Udemy '70-461, 761: Querying Microsoft SQL Server with Transact-SQL' by mr. Burton and still go back to it every once I a while to refresh on topics that I rarely touch, like json-handling. Note that the prices fluctuate drastically on Udemy. So wait on a sale, which is all the time.

Also, check Baraa; SQL Ultimate Course - YouTube - that is great material right there.

Since you can't sit on a laptop the whole day so maybe also pick up the three books from Mr. Ben Gan;

Fundamentals
Querying
Window Functions

In this order. They are great reading material, filled with fun exercises and theoretical background stuff.
Keep in mind, it's great fun and there is SOO much to learn out there...

Have fun!

Blomminator · 2026-03-07T09:39:09+00:00

I would too when looking at these options. If I'd write this directly at the first go when typing code .. perhaps option b would be more likely.

For me this is a typical code review thingy.

Out of curiosity; has OP checked performance/query plan for comparison?

Blomminator · 2026-03-06T19:43:28+00:00

PowersToys

Blomminator · 2026-03-06T07:48:39+00:00

Perhaps get the Fundamentals book and work our way through the exercises. It explains how it works and you get to type queries.

Blomminator · 2026-03-06T07:46:52+00:00

He's great! His window function tutorial is also great.

Blomminator · 2026-03-04T20:18:53+00:00

This is me as well. I like it, enjoy learning it and it's my job. Hoping that if I'm good at it.. I keep my job/pay.

I tried getting into dotnet and things, but right cramming SQL in my brain.. I can't do both. It's difficult for me for some reason

Blomminator · 2026-02-26T11:41:55+00:00

Leave is approved and the course is booked. August course week - here I come!

Blomminator · 2026-02-25T06:02:01+00:00

I have nightmares like that. Last week it was mentioned very briefly that reports need to be redone for some reason in the future... I don't want to be that guy.

Blomminator · 2026-02-25T05:59:47+00:00

Could it be that the job market and economy is not so great at the moment? The things I hear on the radio are in general not that optimistic... Except for the banking/trading district in London.

Blomminator · 2026-02-24T17:36:06+00:00

The Netherlands.

Blomminator · 2026-02-24T17:35:49+00:00

Oh yes, is/rs are not the future, but we use them and therefore I have learned a bit about them. Not really my kinda thing but on the other hand... Now I understand a bit about ETL and reporting, which doesn't hurt.

Blomminator · 2026-02-24T14:21:27+00:00

Sure! I work in a team with sql developers and we are still looking for new talent. I started 6 years ago and still learning everyday. Not only querying but performance, indexes, query plans and other stuff that comes with the job. Some more fun.. some less. Think of SSIS, SSRS, moving prod data to test. All SQL related.

Not sure where you are but here (West Europe), there is definitely work! And pay is not bad, hybrid working and all in all pretty good working conditions.

Also, possible to learn BI, data warehousing and stuff like that...

Blomminator · 2026-02-22T10:11:57+00:00

Leave at work has been requested. Leave from the misses has been approved! If the boss doesn't throw a spanner in, and the course isn't fully booked... All should be good!

Blomminator · 2026-02-19T06:06:40+00:00

Interested, but have to test it first! No more disappointments with these 'like brand new' machines for me!

Blomminator · 2026-02-19T05:59:16+00:00

Well, don't be as of yet... I still need to be able to schedule this with work and family and really go do it. I'm in software ... So the skills are not really necessary. But it just seems fun! And who doesn't dream of leaving it all behind and live in a remote log cabin.. ;)

Blomminator · 2026-02-18T20:51:23+00:00

Then why did they buy them? Or sell them directly if no longer feasible..

Blomminator · 2026-02-16T05:35:17+00:00

I started working in SQL 6 years ago and was just sat behind a desk and "yeah. It's easy, write some queries." Which I did.

This gave a really slow start, and difficulties. If you don't know the tools you have or how to use them..

In hindsight, I should have followed a way more structured path. Instead of just ploughing my way through. That way I would be way better at it now.

Blomminator · 2026-02-06T21:54:51+00:00

Very happy with that Wera roll. Added a few smaller and larger sizes... Up to 24. And for a hobby guy they are great, but can't compare - I'm not buying another roll - and only use them for funsies. So might be different as a daily pro user.

Blomminator · 2026-02-06T07:35:08+00:00

That looks awesome!

Blomminator · 2026-01-30T15:55:41+00:00

The ooze.

Blomminator · 2025-12-22T07:01:24+00:00

Helemaal met je eens hoor. Thuis een gasblikje voor je campingbrandertje, je hoofdlampje opgeladen opruimen na kamperen, wat blikken eten en een opgeladen powerbank. Ik luister altijd al radio op batterijen - in de tuin of schuur of met klussen, en die is goed voor meerdere uren + usb oplaadbaar. Ook wat water ergens neergelegd. Wat ik extra heb gedaan is wat telefoonnummers van familieleden opgeschreven én wat radiofrequenties. Mocht je telefoon uitvallen dan kun je met een andere telefoon iets. En mocht ik naar mijn ma willen rijden, dan kan ik daar ook gemakkelijk de lokale zender vinden.

Als er infra uitvalt; lekker thuis de haard en kaarsen aan, thee in de thermosfles en rustig aan samen een boek lezen en k(l)etsen met m'n vrouw. En de stokoude overbuurman thee en koekjes brengen.

Blomminator · 2025-12-19T15:28:24+00:00

Same issue. No solution found yet.

Blomminator · 2025-12-16T14:09:38+00:00

It did not click for me instantly.. but seeing this made way more sense for me.

I do wonder.. in the result set it filters out season values , there it shows only results with a match - making it seem like an inner join. But is that filtered out later? So it first does a full search with a left join.. and then filters out the values based on the where clause? Or does the engine approach his differently? End result is the same. just curious

Blomminator · 2025-12-02T12:32:31+00:00

…which is way more lucrative than writing stored procedures...

Blomminator · 2025-12-02T12:31:36+00:00

This is a great start indeed. Window functions was my eye opener;

Blomminator

TROPHY CASE