SQL Server Tutorial

SQL Server is a relational database technology developed by Microsoft.

Transact-SQL (T-SQL) is an extension of SQL that is used in SQL Server. Transact-SQL is closely integrated into the SQL language, yet it adds programming constructs that are not native to SQL.

Our tutorial will start with the basics of SQL Server such as how to retrieve and manipulate data. Then we will move to the more advanced topics such as how to create tables, logins, users, functions, and procedures. We will conclude with a review of the functions that are proprietary to Transact-SQL.

With this tutorial, you should be on your way to becoming proficient in SQL Server and Transact-SQL.

Prerequisites

There are no prequisities for this SQL Server tutorial. You should be able to easily understand this tutorial and learn the basic concepts of SQL Server as you progress to the more advanced topics.

Now, let's get started!

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Or jump directly to a topic in SQL Server:

SQL Server (Transact-SQL) Functions

Functions - Alphabetical	SQL Server (Transact-SQL) Functions listed alphabetically
Functions - Category	SQL Server (Transact-SQL) Functions listed by category

SQL Server Keys, Constraints and Indexes

Primary Keys	Create, alter, drop, enable and disable primary keys
Foreign Keys	Create, drop, enable and disable foreign keys
Unique Constraints	Create, add, and drop unique constraints
Check Constraints	Create, alter, drop, enable and disable check constraints
Indexes	Create, rename and drop indexes (Performance tuning)

SQL Server Privileges

Grant/Revoke Privileges	Grant or revoke privileges (permissions)
Change Password	Change a password for a user/login

SQL Server Database Administration

Users and Logins	Identity used to connect to a SQL Server instance (create, alter, drop)
	Database user to log into SQL Server (create, drop)

SQL Server Programming

Functions	Create and drop functions
Procedures	Create and drop stored procedures
Literals (Constants)	String, integer, decimal, and datetime literals
Declare Variables	Declare variables and set variables
Loops and Conditional Statements	WHILE Loop, IF...ELSE statement
Sequences (Autonumber)	Create and drop sequences
Comments within SQL	How to create comments within your SQL statement

SQL Server Comparison Operators

Comparison Operators

Operators such as =, <>, !=, >, <, and so on

SQL Server Query Types

SELECT Statement	Retrieve records from a table
SELECT TOP Statement	Retrieve records from a table and limit results
SELECT INTO Statement	Create a new table with columns and data from another table
INSERT Statement	Insert records into a table
UPDATE Statement	Update records in a table
DELETE Statement	Delete records from a table
DELETE TOP Statement	Delete records and limit number of deletions
TRUNCATE TABLE Statement	Delete all records from a table (no rollback)
UNION Operator	Combine 2 or more result sets (removes duplicates)
UNION ALL Operator	Combine 2 or more result sets (includes duplicates)
INTERSECT Operator	Intersection of 2 result sets
EXCEPT Operator	Result set of one minus the result set of another
Subqueries	A query within a query
PIVOT Clause	Create a cross-tabulation query

SQL Server Joins

JOIN Tables

Inner and Outer joins

SQL Server Aliases

ALIASES

Create a temporary name for a column or table

SQL Server Clauses

DISTINCT Clause	Retrieve unique records
FROM Clause	List tables and join information
WHERE Clause	Filter results
ORDER BY Clause	Sort query results
GROUP BY Clause	Group by one or more columns
HAVING Clause	Restrict the groups of returned rows

SQL Server SQL Functions

COUNT Function	Return the count of an expression
SUM Function	Return the sum of an expression
MIN Function	Return the min of an expression
MAX Function	Return the max of an expression
AVG Function	Return the average of an expression

SQL Server Conditions

AND Condition	2 or more conditions to be met
OR Condition	Any one of the conditions are met
AND and OR	Combine AND and OR conditions
LIKE Condition	Use wildcards in a WHERE clause
IN Condition	Alternative to multiple OR conditions
NOT Condition	Negate a condition
IS NULL Condition	Test for a NULL value
IS NOT NULL Condition	Test for a NOT NULL value
BETWEEN Condition	Retrieve within a range (inclusive)
EXISTS Condition	Condition is met if subquery returns at least one row

SQL Server Tables and Views

CREATE TABLE	Create a table
SELECT INTO	Create a table from another table's definition and data
ALTER TABLE	Add, modify or delete columns in a table; rename a table
DROP TABLE	Delete a table
LOCAL TEMP TABLES	Temporary tables that are distinct within modules and embedded SQL programs
GLOBAL TEMP TABLES	Temporary tables that are distinct within SQL sessions
VIEW	Virtual tables (views of other tables)

SQL Server Data Types

Data Types

Data Types in SQL Server (Transact-SQL)

SQL Server Question and Answer

Question & Answer

Various questions and answers