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Course

Writing Functions and Stored Procedures in SQL Server

IntermediateSkill Level

4.8+

Updated 11/2024

Master SQL Server programming by learning to create, update, and execute functions and stored procedures.

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Course Description

Take your SQL Server programming to the next level. First, we demystify how to manipulate datetime data by performing temporal exploratory data analysis with the Washington DC BikeShare transactional dataset. Then, you’ll master how to create, update, and execute user-defined functions and stored procedures. You will learn the proper context for each modular programming tool and best practices. In the final chapter, you will apply all of your new skills to solve a real-world business case identifying the New York City yellow taxi utilization for each borough, and which pickup locations should be scheduled for each driver shift.

Prerequisites

Functions for Manipulating Data in SQL Server

1

Temporal EDA, Variables & Date Manipulation

Learn how to do effective exploratory data analysis on temporal data, create scalar and table variables to store data, and learn how to execute date manipulation. This chapter will also cover the following SQL functions: DATEDIFF( ), DATENAME( ), DATEPART( ), CAST( ), CONVERT( ), GETDATE( ), and DATEADD( ).

Introduction to the course

Transactions per day

Seconds or no seconds?

Which day of week is busiest?

Find the outliers

Variables for datetime data

DECLARE & CAST

DECLARE a TABLE

INSERT INTO @TABLE

Date manipulation

Parameters matter with DATEDIFF

First day of month

2

User Defined Functions

This chapter will explain how to create, update, and execute user-defined functions (UDFs). You will learn about the various types of UDFs: scalar, inline, and multi-statement table-valued. You’ll also learn best practices.

Scalar user defined functions

What was yesterday?

One in one out

Multiple inputs one output

Table valued UDFs

Multi statement TVF

UDFs in action

Execute scalar with select

EXEC scalar

Execute TVF into variable

Maintaining user defined functions

CREATE OR ALTER

Best practices

3

Stored Procedures

Learn how to create, update, and execute stored procedures. Investigate the differences between stored procedures and user defined functions, including appropriate scenarios for each.

Stored procedures

CREATE PROCEDURE with OUTPUT

Output parameters vs. Return values

Use SP to INSERT

Use SP to UPDATE

Use SP to DELETE

Let's EXEC!

EXECUTE with OUTPUT parameter

EXECUTE with return value

EXECUTE with OUTPUT & return value

TRY & CATCH those errors!

Your very own TRY..CATCH

CATCH an error

4

NYC Taxi Ride Case Study

Apply your new skills in temporal EDA, user-defined functions, and stored procedures to solve a business case problem. Analyze the New York City taxi ride dataset to identify average fare per distance, ride count, and total ride time for each borough on each day of the week. And which pickup locations within the borough should be scheduled for each driver shift?

Case study EDA & imputation

Use EDA to find impossible scenarios

SPs vs UDFs

Mean imputation

Hot Deck imputation

Case study UDFs

CREATE FUNCTIONs

Test FUNCTIONs

Formatting tools

Logical weekdays with Hot Deck

Format for Germany

Case study stored procedures

NYC Borough statistics SP

NYC Borough statistics results

Pickup locations by shift

Pickup locations by shift results

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Writing Functions and Stored Procedures in SQL Server

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Really good course, would like to see this plus others in a track.

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FAQs

What is the difference between user-defined functions and stored procedures in SQL Server?

The course explains both tools in depth. UDFs return values and are used in queries, while stored procedures perform actions and can include complex logic. Chapter 3 compares appropriate scenarios for each.

What real-world datasets are used in this course?

You work with the Washington DC BikeShare transactional dataset for temporal analysis and the New York City yellow taxi dataset for a final case study on taxi utilization by borough.

Which types of user-defined functions will I learn to create?

Chapter 2 covers scalar functions, inline table-valued functions, and multi-statement table-valued functions. You learn when to use each type and associated best practices.

What SQL date and time functions does the course cover?

Chapter 1 covers DATEDIFF, DATENAME, DATEPART, CAST, CONVERT, GETDATE, and DATEADD. You apply these to perform temporal exploratory data analysis on bike-sharing data.

What business problem does the NYC taxi case study solve?

You identify average fare per distance, ride count, and total ride time for each borough by day of the week, then determine which pickup locations should be assigned to each driver shift.

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