Advanced T-SQL: Replacing Slow Cursors with Window Functions

This article looks at replacing a cursor with a window function to improve performance.

Understanding SQL Server PARTITION BY with Examples

Introduction When developers first learn SQL aggregation, they usually start with the GROUP BY clause. It works well for summary reports because it combines multiple rows into a single result for each group. For example, you can calculate total sales per region or average salary per department. The limitation of GROUP BY appears when you […]

Five SQL Server 2022 T-SQL Functions You Should Be Using Right Now

SQL Server 2022 brought powerful new T-SQL functions that eliminate long-standing workarounds. This article walks through five of the most impactful additions — GENERATE_SERIES, GREATEST/LEAST, DATE_BUCKET, the WINDOW clause, and IS NOT DISTINCT FROM — with practical code examples you can use immediately.

The string_agg function

Controlling SQL Window Functions with Framing

I’ve used SQL window functions for years, but I’ve never fully understood framing. To truly master window functions, you need at least a basic grasp of framing and how to apply it to your queries. Framing is especially helpful when working with aggregate functions. How can you overcome this hesitation to try framing?

Revisiting SQL Server Window Functions- A Practical Walkthrough

A look at window functions in SQL and how they can be used to query data without the restrictions of a GROUP BY.

The Rank Window II

The Rank Window

The LAGging NULL

The LAGing data