The One Thing I Do Before Writing Complex Queries
The Simple Pre-Coding Ritual That Saves Me Time
Hey Data Lovers, 👋
Happy Wednesday! Here’s a quick data tip to level up your SQL skills. It’s super simple but surprisingly powerful.
Visualize Your Queries on Paper ✍️
I know—paper and pen might feel a bit old-fashioned. But for those tricky queries with joins, subqueries, or detailed filters, it can be a lifesaver.
Here’s how it works:
Sketch Out Your Tables: Draw out the structure of each table involved in the query. This gives you a bird’s-eye view of what you’re working with.
Map Relationships: If you’re working with joins, sketch out how the tables connect. Visualizing these relationships can clarify how data flows between tables, which makes complex joins easier to handle.
Plan the Logic: Outline the main steps for your query. Write down any filters, aggregations, or conditions you plan to apply. This helps you organize your thoughts and spot any logic gaps before you even start coding.
Why It Works:
Keeps You Organized: You’ll know exactly what you need to do before getting lost in code.
Catches Mistakes Early: Errors jump out faster on paper than in a screen full of code.
Saves Debugging Time: A clear plan means less trial-and-error while coding.
Next time you’re working on a challenging query, grab some paper and map it out. You might be surprised by how much easier it makes the process!
News
By the way, I just released a new video in the Advanced SQL series, focusing on indexing. We'll dive deep into the structure of indexes, including heap, clustered, and non-clustered indexes, and then practice in SQL. Don’t miss out!
I hope you found this helpful, and if you have any questions or want to share your own tips, I’m all ears! Happy querying!
Baraa
Hey friends —
I’m Baraa. I’m an IT professional and YouTuber.
My mission is to share the knowledge I’ve gained over the years and to make working with data easier, fun, and accessible to everyone through courses that are free, simple, and easy!