10 Essential T-SQL Hacks Every Developer Should Know

Alex Maher
10 min readApr 29, 2023

As a developer, working with databases is an inevitable part of the job. Whether you’re building a web application or managing a data warehouse, understanding Transact-SQL (T-SQL) is essential. In this article, I will discuss 10 essential T-SQL hacks that every developer should know to make their work more efficient and effective.

The Importance of T-SQL in Database Management

What is T-SQL?

T-SQL, or Transact-SQL, is Microsoft’s implementation of the Structured Query Language (SQL) for SQL Server. It extends standard SQL functionality by adding procedural programming constructs, such as variables, control structures, and error handling, among others. This makes T-SQL a powerful language for querying, manipulating, and managing data in SQL Server databases.

Key Advantages of T-SQL

T-SQL’s key advantages include its ability to:

  1. Query and manipulate data efficiently
  2. Create and manage database objects, such as tables, views, and indexes
  3. Implement business logic using stored procedures, triggers, and user-defined functions
  4. Perform complex calculations and data analysis using built-in functions and…

--

--

Alex Maher

.NET C# dev with 10+ yrs exp, self-taught & passionate web developer. Sharing tips & experiences in C# and web dev.