Ultimate T-SQL for SQL Server Professionals

Unlock the Power of T-SQL for Efficient Data Management

Key Features
● Get a free one-month digital subscription to www.avaskillshelf.com
● Covers fundamentals through advanced programming, including CTEs, dynamic SQL, JSON, XML, and database object development.
● In-depth coverage of execution plans, Query Store, indexing strategies, and real-world performance tuning techniques.
● Includes automation (SQL Agent, SSIS, and PowerShell), Azure SQL integration, security, auditing, and unit testing with tSQLt.

Book Description
T-SQL is the backbone of Microsoft SQL Server, powering the queries, analytics, and enterprise systems that drive today’s data-driven world. Ultimate T-SQL for SQL Server Professionals takes you on a complete learning journey—from foundational query writing to advanced performance tuning and enterprise-level database development.

You begin by building a strong core by understanding data types, mastering SELECT statements, filtering data with precision, and writing efficient joins and subqueries. From there, the book guides you into advanced territory—Common Table Expressions (CTEs), MERGE operations, PIVOT queries, dynamic SQL, and working with JSON and XML. You will learn how to analyze execution plans, leverage Query Store, and apply indexing and performance tuning strategies to optimize real-world workloads.

The journey continues into enterprise practices such as managing transactions and concurrency, automating workflows with SQL Server Agent and SSIS, integrating with Azure SQL and Synapse, implementing security and auditing controls, and even unit testing your T-SQL code for production-ready reliability. Thus, by the end of the book, you will not just understand T-SQL—you will think like a database professional!

What you will learn
● Write efficient, production-ready T-SQL queries using advanced SELECT logic, joins, and subqueries.
● Develop and manage views, stored procedures, functions, triggers, and table-valued functions.
● Implement CTEs, MERGE, PIVOT, JSON, XML, and dynamic SQL for complex data transformations.
● Analyze execution plans and apply performance tuning and indexing strategies.
● Manage transactions, concurrency, and isolation levels in high-performance environments.
● Secure, automate, and test SQL Server solutions for scalable, enterprise-grade systems.

1. Getting Started with T-SQL
2. Data Types, NULLs and Conversions
3. SELECT Statements and Filtering Logic
4. Joins, Set Operations, and Subqueries
5. Views, Functions, and Stored Procedures
6. CTEs, MERGE, Pivoting, JSON, and XML
7. Dynamic SQL, Triggers, and Table-Valued Functions (TVFs)
8. Query Optimization and Performance Tuning
9. Execution Plans and Query Store
10. Transactions, Concurrency, and Isolation Levels
11. Automation with SSIS, SQL Agent, and PowerShell
12. Azure SQL and Synapse Integration
13. Security, Permissions, and Auditing
14. Unit Testing T-SQL with tSQLt
15. Case Studies and the Future of T-SQL
16. Best Practices for T-SQL Development and Database Design
Index

About the Authors
Alula Mekonnen Kassa is a database professional and author based in Denver, Colorado. With extensive experience in SQL Server, data analytics, and programming across healthcare, finance, and technology sectors, he is passionate about empowering developers and analysts through practical, hands-on SQL knowledge.

Bhushan Nikhar is a technology leader and enterprise architect with over 14 years of experience in software development and architecture. His experience and expertise span cloud-native systems, distributed computing, and emerging technologies. Bhushan’s core skills lie in technical solutions and enterprise architecture—applied across AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud platforms.

He has designed and led large-scale systems in banking and financial services, healthcare, retail, and e-commerce, with a particular focus on scalable data platforms and intelligent automation. Bhushan has also delivered impactful AI/ML solutions and currently contributes as an Enterprise Architect for a leading U.S. Bank’s credit card business while mentoring internal teams in AI and cloud transformation.

As a recognized reviewer for industry publications, Bhushan has reviewed multiple technical books, reflecting his commitment to advancing the global developer and architecture community. He is deeply passionate about cultivating deep technical expertise within teams and envisions India emerging as a hub for next-generation deep tech innovation.