1.
🧠 CTEs: SQL's Best-Kept Secret for Readable Queries
Ever get lost in a maze of nested subqueries?
CTEs (Common Table Expressions) are your GPS!
✅ Why they rock:
✔ Cleaner than subqueries
✔ Reusable in the same query
✔ Named for clarity ("WITH sales_2023 AS...")
💡 Quick example:
WITH high_value_customers AS (
SELECT customer_id FROM orders
WHERE total_spend > 1000
SELECT * FROM customers
WHERE id IN (SELECT customer_id FROM high_value_customers);
Pro Tip: Use them to break complex logic into simple steps!
#SQL #DataAnalysis #DataEngineering
2.
SQL Query Running Slow? Do THIS First!
That 10-minute query could take 10 seconds...
3 instant fixes:
📌 EXPLAIN ANALYZE - See where it's stuck
📌 Add indexes on JOIN/WHERE columns
📌Limit data early (filter BEFORE joins)
Hot take:
SELECT * is usually the villain → Only grab columns you need!
What's your go-to optimization trick?
#SQL #Performance #Database
3.
Pivot Tables in SQL? Yes, You Can!
Stop exporting to Excel for pivots!
Use CROSSTAB (PostgreSQL) or CASE magic:
SELECT
product,
SUM(CASE WHEN month = 'Jan' THEN sales END) AS jan_sales,
SUM(CASE WHEN month = 'Feb' THEN sales END) AS feb_sales
FROM sales
GROUP BY product;
👉 Why better than Excel?
→ Automates reports
→ Handles millions of rows
Ever used SQL pivots?
#DataScience #SQL #Analytics
4.
NULL Values: SQL's Silent Data Killer
NULL ≠ empty. NULL = "I don't know" → and it BREAKS logic!
Watch out for:
❌ WHERE col = NULL (always use IS NULL)
❌ SUM(NULL + 5) = NULL (use COALESCE)
Fix it:
SELECT COALESCE(discount, 0) * price AS final_price
FROM products;
Fun fact: NULL + NULL = NULL, not zero!
#SQL #DataQuality #DataEngineering
5.
3 SQL Habits That Made Me 10x Faster
After 10 years, I still use these daily:
1️Alias everything (FROM orders o JOIN users u)
2️ Write WHERE clauses in execution order (filter first, join later)
3️ CTEs > subqueries for debugging
Bonus: WHERE 1=1 when building queries (makes commenting easier!)
What's your favorite SQL productivity hack?