Real SQL Queries: 50 Challenges – 3rd Edition (10th Anniversary) PDF eBook by Brian Cohen

Sharpen your T-SQL Skills with Real-World Practice.

Practice is most effective when the challenges feel real, and that’s the driving force behind Real SQL Queries: 50 Challenges. This book delivers practical, business-focused problems drawn from the scenarios analysts face daily. You’ll sharpen your skills with realistic data questions spanning sales, marketing, HR, purchasing, and production. Whether you're an analyst, report writer, or anyone looking for a hands-on way to master SQL Server queries, Real SQL Queries gives you the experience that textbooks and tutorials leave out.

📌 100% Satisfaction Guarantee! You will be fully refunded if this book does not meet your expectations. Details on RSQ50.com, the Real SQL Queries Portal.

Why this Book?

✅ Get Started Quickly. All challenges are based on AdventureWorks2022, 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-solving approach.
✅ Learn by Example. Each solution is fully documented, often showcasing multiple approaches to build versatility in your SQL problem-solving.
✅ Progress at Your Pace. Challenges are organized into three difficulty levels, helping you grow from foundational techniques to advanced concepts.
✅ Discover New Techniques. Explore diverse functions and methods that broaden your perspective on how to approach SQL queries.

Preview of Challenges to Solve (questions abridged)

☑️ 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 2014 to the same fiscal quarters of 2013.
☑️ Ten Million Dollar Benchmark: Ten million dollars of revenue is a common benchmark for Adventure Works. For each fiscal year, 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 to examine all credit cards and report the extent of such activity.
☑️ The Mentors: The VP of Sales wants the five most successful salespeople to mentor the five least successful salespeople. Create a list of salespeople to match one another.
☑️ The Classic Vest: Rumors about the Classic Vest are floating throughout the purchasing department. Some people say it has been overordered....help by providing the facts.
☑️ Employment Survey: Adventure Works is participating in a third-party employment survey among bicycle manufacturers. The Human Resources department asks you to help prepare data to submit.
☑️ Tradeshow Giveaway: Adventure Works is participating in an upcoming trade show and plans to engage attendees with a raffle. Visitors who leave their business cards can win a bundle of products. Assist by finding a combination of three products that cost less than $120 in total. The objective is to get as close to the $120 budget as possible without exceeding it.
☑️ Similar Products: Create a report to aid salespeople. The report will display information about similar, less
expensive products to suggest.

📌 This book is designed specifically for T-SQL using Microsoft SQL Server and isn't suitable for MySQL, PostgreSQL, Oracle, or other database platforms. The author wants to ensure you aren't disappointed or frustrated.
📌 All questions are based on AdventureWorks2022, Microsoft's free sample SQL database. A download link is provided on the book’s supporting website.
📌 Solutions to all challenge questions are included in the book and available for free download.
📌 The author offers a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee!

Ready to level up your T-SQL skills? Dive in and start solving real-world problems today!

Skip the Syntax Drills. Solve Real Problems Instead.

If you're serious about growing as a SQL pro, stop practicing on unrealistic toy problems. Real SQL Queries: 50 Challenges drops you into the kinds of business scenarios professionals actually face—year-over-year comparisons, running totals, HR analytics, marketing strategies, and production oversight. Each challenge is grounded in reality and built on the universally accessible AdventureWorks2022 sample database. Whether you're transitioning to a data role, leveling up on the job, or simply sharpening your skills, this book will move you forward.

Explore the Language of T-SQL, One Challenge at a Time.

Real growth comes from experience. This book helps you build fluency in the wide range of T-SQL functions that real projects demand. From CROSS APPLY to PERCENTILE_DISC, GROUPING_ID to ROLLUP, you’ll encounter and apply over 150 SQL Server functions and constructs. Every challenge is an opportunity to go deeper and discover a new way of thinking about queries.

Challenges use:

• Window functions like LAG, LEAD, ROW_NUMBER
• Aggregation techniques like ROLLUP, GROUP BY, and PIVOT
• Conditionals, conversions, and NULL handling like CASE, COALESCE, and ISNULL
• String and date functions like SUBSTRING, DATEPART, and DATENAME

These aren’t just concepts. You’ll learn them by applying them to realistic business cases in sales, marketing, HR, purchasing, and more.

Everything you need to sharpen your SQL skills is waiting for you. Get your copy now to get started right away!

Here are the challenges you'll find inside:

LEVEL 1 CHALLENGE QUESTIONS
Needy Accountant ▪ Illustrations Needed ▪ Who Left That Review? ▪ Hire Dates for NDA ▪ Products in Yellow? ▪ Products and Their Subcategories ▪ Total Sales by Territory ▪ Email Marketing Campaign ▪ Special Offers ▪ Work Orders

LEVEL 2 CHALLENGE QUESTIONS
The Translators ▪ The 2/22 Promotion ▪ Vendor Credit Ratings ▪ Transaction History ▪ Holiday Bonus ▪ Commission Percentages ▪ Domain and Username Separation ▪ Loyal Customers ▪ Revenue Ranges ▪ Upsell Tuesdays ▪ Vacation Hours ▪ Two Free Bikes ▪ Excess Inventory ▪ Months Since Last Order ▪ Toronto

LEVEL 3 CHALLENGE QUESTIONS
Print Catalog ▪ Label Mix-Up ▪ Phone Number Types ▪ Revenue by State ▪ Scrap Rate ▪ Shift Coverage ▪ The Classic Vest ▪ Ten Million Dollar Benchmark ▪ The Mentors ▪ Year-Over-Year Comparisons ▪ Date Range Gaps ▪ Company Picnic ▪ Sales Reasons ▪ Revenue Trended ▪ Featured Product Reviews ▪ Employment Survey ▪ Costs Vary ▪ Expired Credit Cards ▪ Median Revenue ▪ Product Combinations ▪ Product Description Language Survey ▪ Similar Products ▪ Trade Show Giveaway ▪ Online/Offline ▪ Pay Rate Changes ▪ Sales Quota Changes ▪ Age Groups ▪ Overpaying ▪ Sales Order Counts ▪ Orphan Products/Vendors ▪ Calendar of Work Days

BONUS: SQL THOUGHT EXPERIMENT
Simple Twist of Fate ▪ Friend of the Devil

All challenges are based on AdventureWorks2022, Microsoft's widely accessible sample database. AdventureWorks is free to download, easy to install, and intuitive to explore.

Here's what you will find on the RSQ50 Portal:

✔ Convenient Access to Solutions: While all solutions are printed in the book, you'll also find a downloadable version for easy reference.
✔ Essential SQL Tools: Get direct links to SQL Server 2022 Express and AdventureWorks2022, so you can practice with real-world data.
✔ AdventureWorks Data Dictionary: Navigate the database effortlessly with a detailed reference guide.
✔ Errata & Updates: Stay current with corrections and enhancements as they become available.
✔ Exclusive Merch: get the official RSQ tee.
✔ Connect & Learn More: Follow the author for insights, tips, and updates.

Everything you need to sharpen your SQL skills is waiting for you. Get your copy now to get started right away!