T-SQL Window Functions

Use window functions to optimize your T-SQL queries for greater simplicity, elegance, and performance

• Discover the surprising power of window functions, and learn how to use them far more widely
• The most advanced coverage of T-SQL window functions — including new techniques invented by author Itzik Ben-Gan, one of the world’s top T-SQL experts
• Covers T-SQL for all recent versions of Microsoft SQL Server (including 2019) and Microsoft Azure SQL Database — including important new window function optimizations
• Ideal for DBAs, developers, and anyone who uses T-SQL to solve business problems

Most T-SQL developers recognize the value of window functions for data analysis calculation. But window functions can do far more than that, and optimizations in recent versions of SQL Server have made them more powerful than ever. In T-SQL Window Functions: For Data Analysis and Beyond, renowned T-SQL expert Itzik Ben-Gan introduces breakthrough techniques for using window functions to handle many common T-SQL querying tasks with unprecedented elegance and power.
Ben-Gan first explains why window functions can often be a far better solution than traditional predicate-based approaches. Next, using extensive code examples, he guides you through each type of window function: Aggregate, Ranking, Distribution and Offset. You’ll find detailed coverage of ordered set functions (including SQL Server 2017’s STRING_AGG); plus an extensive section on optimization. The book concludes with roughly 100 pages of real T-SQL solutions using window function approaches — including techniques invented by the author and available in no other book.

Use window functions to write simpler, better, more efficient T-SQL queries

Most T-SQL developers recognize the value of window functions for data analysis calculations. But they can do far more, and recent optimizations make them even more powerful. In T-SQL Window Functions, renowned T-SQL expert Itzik Ben-Gan introduces breakthrough techniques for using them to handle many common T-SQL querying tasks with unprecedented elegance and power. Using extensive code examples, he guides you through window aggregate, ranking, distribution, offset, and ordered set functions. You’ll find a detailed section on optimization, plus an extensive collection of business solutions — including novel techniques available in no other book.

Microsoft MVP Itzik Ben-Gan shows how to:

• Use window functions to improve queries you previously built with predicates

• Master essential SQL windowing concepts, and efficiently design window functions

• Effectively utilize partitioning, ordering, and framing

• Gain practical in-depth insight into window aggregate, ranking, offset, and statistical functions

• Understand how the SQL standard supports ordered set functions, and find working solutions for functions not yet available in the language

• Preview advanced Row Pattern Recognition (RPR) data analysis techniques

• Optimize window functions in SQL Server and Azure SQL Database, making the most of indexing, parallelism, and more

• Discover a full library of window function solutions for common business problems

About This Book

• For developers, DBAs, data analysts, data scientists, BI professionals, and power users familiar with T-SQL queries

• Addresses any edition of the SQL Server 2019 database engine or later, as well as Azure SQL Database

Get all code samples at:

MicrosoftPressStore.com/TSQLWindowFunctions/downloads