Delve into the internal architecture of T-SQL—and unveil the power of set-based querying—with comprehensive reference and advice from a highly regarded T-SQL expert and members of Microsoft's SQL Server development team. Database developers and administrators will examine the best practices, advanced techniques, sample databases, and code needed to master the programming language built into SQL Server—solving complex problems with real-world solutions. • Understand logical and physical query processing • Learn about set theory, predicate logic, and the relational model • Apply a methodology to optimize query tuning • Analyze the algorithmic complexity of your queries • Solve relational division problems • Use CTEs and ranking functions to simplify and optimize solutions • Aggregate data with various techniques, including tiebreakers, pivoting, histograms, grouping factors, and grouping sets • Use the TOP option to query and modify data • Use the MERGE statement to modify data based on conditional logic • Maintain and query graph structures with the HIERARCHYID datatype, recursive queries, and other solutions • PLUS—Improve your logic and get to the heart of querying problems with logic puzzles All the book’s code samples will be available for download from the companion Web site.