JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) has become a ubiquitous data format for storing and exchanging information. SQL Server 2016 and later versions provide robust support for working with JSON data. This article explores some useful tips and tricks for handling JSON in T-SQL.
Continue readingHow to Delete an Index in SQL Server
If you find yourself with an index in SQL Server that you no longer need, you may decide to disable it, or you may opt to get rid of it altogether. That way you can declutter your database, free up space, and perhaps help improve performance of updates to the data.
Typically, to delete an index in SQL Server, we use the DROP INDEX
statement. There are cases where we might drop it via other means (for example, if it’s implemented as part of a PRIMARY KEY
or UNIQUE
constraint – also shown below), but DROP INDEX
is usually the go to command for such operations.
Fix Error 159 “Must specify the table name and index name for the DROP INDEX statement” in SQL Server
If you’re getting SQL Server error 159 that reads “Must specify the table name and index name for the DROP INDEX statement“, it’s probably because you’re trying to drop an index without specifying the table name.
When we drop an index, we must specify both the index name and the table name.
To fix this issue, include both the index name and the table name in your DROP INDEX
statement.
Understanding the Correlated Subquery in SQL
When writing SQL queries, we sometimes find ourselves including a subquery in the query in order to get the results we want. Sometimes the subquery we include could be taken out of that query and run by itself to return its own independent result set. But not the correlated subquery.
A correlated subquery relies on the outer query for its data. We can’t simply move it outside of the outer query and expect it to work.
Let’s take a look the correlated subquery in SQL and observe it in action with a few examples.
Continue readingThe Difference Between INNER and LEFT JOINs in SQL
SQL joins are fundamental operations in relational databases, allowing us to combine data from multiple tables. Two of the most commonly used join types are INNER JOIN
and LEFT JOIN
. Understanding the difference between these joins is crucial if you intend to use joins in your queries.
In this article, we’ll look at the difference between the INNER JOIN
and LEFT JOIN
using a simple example.
Using the WHERE Clause Effectively: Common SQL Operators and Their Usage
The WHERE
clause is a fundamental part of SQL queries that allows us to filter data based on specific conditions. Understanding how to use various operators within the WHERE
clause can significantly enhance our ability to retrieve precisely the data we need.
This article explores some of the operators that are most commonly used with the WHERE
clause.
Fix Error 11415 “Object … cannot be disabled or enabled. This action applies only to foreign key and check constraints” in SQL Server
If you’re getting SQL Server error 11415 that reads something like “Object ‘UQ_Employees_Email’ cannot be disabled or enabled. This action applies only to foreign key and check constraints“, it’s probably because you’re trying to disable either a DEFAULT
, UNIQUE
or PRIMARY KEY
constraint.
Nested WHILE Loops in SQL Server: A Beginner’s Guide with Examples
WHILE
loops are a fundamental concept in T-SQL programming, allowing us to execute a block of code repeatedly as long as a specified condition is true. Nested WHILE
loops take this concept further by placing one WHILE
loop inside another, enabling more complex iterations.
This guide will walk you through the basics of nested WHILE
loops in SQL Server, complete with simple examples and a demonstration of the BREAK
statement.
SQL Self Join Examples
In SQL, the self join is a join technique where we join a table with itself. Other join types will join a table with another table, but the self join simply joins with itself.
Self joins can be useful when working with hierarchical or recursive data within a single table.
Continue readingUnderstanding the Difference Between SCALE(), MIN_SCALE() and TRIM_SCALE() in PostgreSQL
Anyone who looks at PostgreSQL’s list of mathematical functions will notice that there are some functions that have “scale” in their name. In particular, scale()
, min_scale()
, and trim_scale()
.
While these functions all have a similar name, they each have a different purpose. That said, they’re all related to the scale of the given number. The scale is the number of digits to the right of the decimal point in a number. For example, the number 1.95 has a scale of 2, and 1.958 has a scale of 3.
Continue reading