WHILE loops are a powerful feature in most programming languages that allow developers to execute a block of code repeatedly as long as a specified condition is true. However, there are times when we may need to exit a loop prematurely based on certain criteria. SQL Server caters for this possibility with the BREAK keyword.
In this article, we’ll explore how to effectively use the BREAK keyword within WHILE loops in SQL Server.
When we use the format() function in PostgreSQL, we can pass any number of strings to insert into the resulting formatted string in positions that are specified in the first argument. When we do this, we might typically pass the strings as separate arguments. But this isn’t the only way to do it.
We have the option of passing the strings as array elements. That is, we can pass an array to the function, and have it extract each array element as though it’s a separate argument to insert into the formatted string.
Continue readingIf you’re getting an error that reads something like “Incorrect syntax near the keyword ‘OR’” when creating a filtered index in SQL Server, it’s probably because you’re using the OR operator in your WHERE clause.
Filtered indexes don’t support the OR operator.
However, filtered indexes do support the IN operator, and so it’s possible to change your query to use that.
So to fix this issue, try the IN operator instead.
PostgreSQL provides us with the ability to create arrays, extract element values from them, and more. When it comes to selecting values, there’s a special syntax that we must use in order to get the exact element that we want to select.
Basically, the syntax involves the array or column name, followed by a pair of square brackets with the subscript of the element that we want to select.
Continue readingIf you’re getting SQL Server error 8655 that reads something like “The query processor is unable to produce a plan because the index ‘PK__Employee__7AD04FF1A39ECAB1’ on table or view ‘Employees’ is disabled“, it’s probably because the clustered index for the table is disabled.
Continue readingUnder most circumstances, disabling a primary key is a bad idea. A very bad idea. After all, we implement primary keys in the name of data integrity, and by disabling a primary key, we could compromise that effort.
But there may be cases where you need to disable a primary key, for one reason or another. For example, to facilitate data migration efforts, or bulk inserts, to perform certain maintenance tasks, or simply to insert dummy data in your development environment.
Whatever the reason, here’s how to disable a primary key in SQL Server.
Continue readingFillfactor is an option that we can set on SQL Server indexes in order to fine tune index data storage and performance. It determines the percentage of space on each leaf-level page to be filled with data, reserving the remainder on each page as free space for future growth.
The default fillfactor can be set as a configuration option. SQL Server sets this value to 0, and so this is what’s used when we create an index without specifying a fillfactor. The value of 0 is actually the equivalent of 100 (or meaning 100%). In other words, by default, the leaf-level pages are filled to capacity.
PostgreSQL allows us to create columns that store arrays. That is, we can define the column as an array column so that we can insert arrays into the column. This enables us to work with the arrays in the columns without it being confused with plain text.
We have a couple of options for inserting arrays into columns. One is to use an array literal. Another is to use an array constructor. Examples of each of these options are below.
Continue readingIf you’re getting SQL Server error 8111 that reads something like “Cannot define PRIMARY KEY constraint on nullable column in table ‘Employees’“, it’s probably because you’re trying to add a PRIMARY KEY constraint to an existing column that is nullable. In other words, the column isn’t defined with a NOT NULL constraint.
We can only add primary keys to columns that are defined as NOT NULL.
To fix this issue, define the table as NOT NULL before attempting to add the primary key.
In SQL, it’s not unusual to see subqueries in SELECT statements, where they can help narrow down the results based on a complex condition.
But the SELECT statement isn’t the only place we can put a subquery.
We can use subqueries in an UPDATE statement, and we can update multiple rows too, if required.
In this article, we look at how to update multiple columns by using a SQL subquery in the UPDATE statement.