SQL: Tips Support
The tips are divided into these categories:
- Syntax
- More Syntax
- Performance
- Design
The syntax tips cover reserved words, NULLs, strings, parentheses, and IN lists. You'll also learn what's wrong with "select star", why JOIN syntax is better, and when to write RIGHT OUTER JOINs (hint: never).
The performance tips barely scratch the surface (database performance is a career unto itself), but they include the importance of indexes and how to make sure you don't sabotage your own indexes.
The design tips include advice about first normal form, using simple datatypes, and autonumbers.
If you like these tips (or not), if you want to see more, or if you have any feedback on them at all, please post a comment in the discussion forum for this article.
Rudy Limeback
Rudy Limeback is an independent consultant with over 20 years of SQL experience using DB2, SQL Server, Access, Oracle, and MySQL. Rudy is also a Web developer, Technical Editor at Digital Web, one of the original evolt.org admins, with his own Web site since 1996. More information at r937.com. Rudy lives in Toronto, Canada, where the weather allows you to play frisbee golf all year long.