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SQL Antipatterns: Avoiding the Pitfalls of Database Programming

Discover common SQL antipatterns, their pitfalls, and solutions. Gain insights into logical, physical, query, and application antipatterns. Learn about effective, risk-free database practices.

4.8

87 Lessons

6h 45min

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LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Learn the best practices for writing SQL queries.
Increase your SQL skills by inspecting SQL antipatterns.
Get introduced to SQL antipatterns and solutions.
Learn issues corresponding to create, read, update, and delete (CRUD) operations in SQL database.

Learning Roadmap

87 Lessons5 Assessments

Introduction

Learn how to use SQL effectively, avoiding common pitfalls through practical examples and conventions.

Logical Antipattern - Jaywalking

Grasp the fundamentals of managing many-to-many relationships through intersection tables for improved data integrity.

Synopsis: Jaywalking

Antipattern: Format Comma-Separated Lists

Solution: Create an Intersection Table

Logical Antipattern - Naive Trees

8 Lessons

Examine hierarchical data models, contrasting Adjacency List, Path Enumeration, Nested Sets, and Closure Tables.

Logical Antipattern - ID Required

3 Lessons

Break down complex ideas to use primary keys strategically for better database clarity.

Logical Antipattern - Keyless Entry

3 Lessons

Dig into the importance of foreign key constraints to avoid data inconsistencies and inefficiencies.

Assessment: Logical Antipatterns - Part 1

Assessment

Logical Antipattern - Entity-Attribute-Value

5 Lessons

Investigate Entity-Attribute-Value challenges, data integrity issues, and alternative modeling strategies for database design.

Logical Antipattern - Polymorphic Associations

4 Lessons

Piece together the parts of Polymorphic Associations and their solutions to avoid database integrity issues.

Logical Antipattern - Multicolumn Attributes

3 Lessons

Break down the challenges and solutions of multi-column attributes in database design.

Logical Antipattern - Metadata Tribbles

3 Lessons

Solve challenges with database design inefficiencies by avoiding clone tables and columns.

Assessment: Logical Antipatterns - Part 2

Assessment

10.

Physical Antipattern - Rounding Errors

3 Lessons

Break apart the causes and solutions for rounding errors in database calculations.

11.

Physical Antipattern - 31 Flavors

3 Lessons

Grasp the fundamentals of managing data integrity using ENUM, CHECK constraints, and lookup tables.

12.

Physical Antipattern - Phantom Files

3 Lessons

Dig into managing media storage in databases, avoiding pitfalls of external files.

13.

Physical Antipattern - Index Shotgun

3 Lessons

Implement strategic indexing to avoid performance pitfalls and enhance database efficiency.

Assessment: Physical Antipatterns

Assessment

14.

Query Antipattern - Fear of the Unknown

3 Lessons

Piece together the parts of managing NULL values to avoid confusion in SQL databases.

15.

Query Antipattern - Ambiguous Groups

3 Lessons

Break down ambiguous grouping, enforce the Single-Value Rule, and use unambiguous columns.

16.

Query Antipattern - Random Selection

3 Lessons

Unpack the core of avoiding random selection inefficiencies, optimizing SQL queries, and exploring alternative strategies.

17.

Query Antipattern - Poor Man’s Search Engine

4 Lessons

Go hands-on with optimizing text search using specialized tools and alternatives.

18.

Query Antipattern - Spaghetti Query

3 Lessons

Build a foundation in managing query complexity, improving performance, and enhancing maintainability.

19.

Query Antipattern - Implicit Columns

3 Lessons

Name columns explicitly in SQL queries to avoid conflicts and ensure clarity and efficiency.

Assessment: Query Antipattern

Assessment

20.

Application Development Antipattern - Readable Passwords

4 Lessons

Simplify complex topics to understand password security risks and implementation strategies.

21.

Application Development Antipattern - SQL Injection

4 Lessons

Master the steps to prevent SQL Injection through secure coding practices and input validation.

22.

Application Development Antipattern - Pseudokey Neat-Freak

3 Lessons

Break down pseudokey pitfalls, avoid renumbering mistakes, and uphold data integrity wisely.

23.

Application Development Antipattern - See No Evil

3 Lessons

Get started with acknowledging and handling errors in database programming to ensure reliability.

24.

Application Development Antipattern - Diplomatic Immunity

3 Lessons

Examine the importance of documentation, quality assurance, and best practices in database development.

25.

Application Development Antipattern - Magic Beans

3 Lessons

Break down complex ideas on managing Active Record pitfalls and improving application design.

Assessment: Application Development Antipattern

Assessment

Certificate of Completion

Showcase your accomplishment by sharing your certificate of completion.

Developed by MAANG Engineers

ABOUT THIS COURSE

Structured Query Language (SQL) is widely used to manage relational databases and perform various data-related operations. Non-expert programmers commonly try to solve a problem with a risky and ineffective solution, also known as an antipattern. Such common bad practices initially look like a good solution and are easier to implement but cause more problems. This course explains the best fixes by addressing multiple antipatterns. This course covers the following four types of SQL antipatterns: logical, physical, query, and application development antipatterns. Specific examples are curated to help you understand each antipattern and how to solve the real-world problem with a zero-risk solution. It offers a hands-on coding experience to help you understand every concept. By the end of this course, you’ll be familiar with the anatomies of antipatterns and have a set of rules to follow when solving a database challenge or making up for your errors.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

The Pragmatic Programmers

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