Real SQL Queries: 50 Challenges

Sharpen your SQL Skill with Real-World Practice.

Queries improve when challenges are authentic. This book sets your learning on the fast track with realistic problems to solve. Topics span sales, marketing, human resources, purchasing, and production. Real SQL Queries: 50 Challenges is perfect for analysts, report writers, or anyone searching for a hands-on approach to learning SQL Server.

Why this Book?

• Get Started Quickly. All challenges are based on AdventureWorks2012, Microsoft’s universally-accessible sample database. AdventureWorks is free to download and intuitive to explore.
• Solve Real Problems. Studying concepts is useful, but nothing accelerates skill faster than a hands-on, problem-solution approach.
• Learn by Example. Every challenge includes a fully documented solution.
• Lots of Helping Hands. Not sure how to begin? Each question includes a hint to set you in the right direction.
• Something for Everyone. Difficulty varies from challenge to challenge; it’s truly a mixed bag.
• Freshen your Technique. Solutions exhibit a wide range of functions and approaches, so you’re sure to find something new.
• Your Teaching Companion. Ready-to-go material for SQL tutors, trainers, and college professors.

Preview of Challenges to Solve:

• Year over Year Comparisons: An executive requests data concerning fiscal quarter sales by salesperson. She’d like to see comparisons from the fiscal quarters of 2008 to the same fiscal quarters of 2007.
• Ten Million Dollar Benchmark: Ten million dollars of revenue is a common benchmark for Adventure Works. For each fiscal year (2007 and 2008) find the first dates when the cumulative running revenue total hit $10 million.
• Expired Credit Cards: The Accounting department found instances where expired credit cards were used with sales orders. You are asked examine all credit cards and report the extent of such activity.
• The Mentors: The Vice President of Sales wants the five most successful sales people to mentor the five least successful sales people. Create a list of sales people to match with one another.
• Online/Offline: Create a summary table that shows, by territory, the percentage of orders placed online in comparison to orders not placed online.

Solutions to challenge questions available for download. Details inside.

Table of Contents

Challenge Question 1: Year over Year Comparisons
Challenge Question 2: The 2/22 Promotion
Challenge Question 3: Ten Million Dollar Benchmark
Challenge Question 4: Upsell Tuesdays
Challenge Question 5: Expired Credit Cards
Challenge Question 6: Print Catalog
Challenge Question 7: Special Team
Challenge Question 8: Knapsack Problem
Challenge Question 9: Product Combinations
Challenge Question 10: Median Revenue
Challenge Question 11: Needy Accountant
Challenge Question 12: Product Inventory Updates
Challenge Question 13: Vacation Hours
Challenge Question 14: Purchasing
Challenge Question 15: Interpretation Needed
Challenge Question 16: Online/Offline
Challenge Question 17: Long Time No Sale
Challenge Question 18: Costs Vary
Challenge Question 19: Thermoform Temperature
Challenge Question 20: Toronto
Challenge Question 21: Marketing Employees
Challenge Question 22: Who Left That Review?
Challenge Question 23: Label Mix-Up
Challenge Question 24: Clearance Sale
Challenge Question 25: Top Territories
Challenge Question 26: Commission Percentages
Challenge Question 27: Work Orders
Challenge Question 28: Revenue Trended
Challenge Question 29: Separation
Challenge Question 30: Shift Coverage
Challenge Question 31: Labels
Challenge Question 32: Employment Survey
Challenge Question 33: Age Groups
Challenge Question 34: Revenue by State
Challenge Question 35: Two Free Bikes
Challenge Question 36: Volume Discounts
Challenge Question 37: Overpaying
Challenge Question 38: Margins
Challenge Question 39: Percent to Quota
Challenge Question 40: Revenue Ranges
Challenge Question 41: E-mail Mystery
Challenge Question 42: The Mentors
Challenge Question 43: Calendar of Work Days
Challenge Question 44: Annual Salary by Employee
Challenge Question 45: Annual Salaries by Department
Challenge Question 46: Holiday Bonus
Challenge Question 47: Company Picnic
Challenge Question 48: Sales Quota Changes
Challenge Question 49: Scrap Rate
Challenge Question 50: Reasons
Challenge Question 51: Excess Inventory
Challenge Question 52: Pay Rate Changes