HomeCoursesSQL Antipatterns: Avoiding the Pitfalls of Database Programming

4.8

Beginner

6h 45min

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.

Join 2.7 million developers at

Overview

Content

Reviews

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.

Structured Query Language (SQL) is widely used to manage relational databases and perform various data-related operations. Non-e...Show More

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN

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.

Learn the best practices for writing SQL queries.

TAKEAWAY SKILLS

SQL

Database

Content

87 Lessons5 Assessments

Introduction

4 Lessons

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

Logical Antipattern - Jaywalking

3 Lessons

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.

Synopsis: Naive Trees

Antipattern: Always Depend on One’s Parent

Maintaining a Tree with an Adjacency List

Solution: Use Alternative Tree Models

Path Enumeration

Nested Sets

Closure Table

Comparison of Different Tree Implementations

Logical Antipattern - ID Required

3 Lessons

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

Synopsis: ID Required

Antipattern: One Size Fits All

Solution: Tailored to Fit

Logical Antipattern - Keyless Entry

3 Lessons

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

Synopsis: Keyless Entry

Antipattern: Leave Out the Constraints

Solution: Declare Constraints

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.

Synopsis: Entity-Attribute-Value

Antipattern: Use a Generic Attribute Table

Supporting Data Integrity

Solution: Model the Subtypes Using Inheritance

Suboptimal Solutions

Logical Antipattern - Polymorphic Associations

4 Lessons

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

Synopsis: Polymorphic Associations

Antipattern: Use Dual-Purpose Foreign Key

Solution 1: Simplify the Relationship

Solution 2: Create a Common Super-Table

Logical Antipattern - Multicolumn Attributes

3 Lessons

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

Synopsis: Multi-column Attributes

Antipattern: Create Multiple Columns

Solution: Create Dependent Table

Logical Antipattern - Metadata Tribbles

3 Lessons

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

Synopsis: Metadata Tribbles

Antipattern: Clone Tables or Columns

Solution: Partition and Normalize

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.

Synopsis: Rounding Errors

Antipattern: Use FLOAT Data Type

Solution: Use NUMERIC Data Type

11.

Physical Antipattern - 31 Flavors

3 Lessons

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

Synopsis: 31 Flavors

Antipattern: Specify Values in the Column Definition

Solution: Specify Values in Data

12.

Physical Antipattern - Phantom Files

3 Lessons

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

Synopsis: Phantom Files

Antipattern: Assume You Must Use Files

Solution: Use BLOB Data Types As Needed

13.

Physical Antipattern - Index Shotgun

3 Lessons

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

Synopsis: Index Shotgun

Antipattern: Using Indexes Without a Plan

Solution: MENTOR Your Indexes

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.

Synopsis: Fear of the Unknown

Antipattern: Use Null as an Ordinary Value, or Vice Versa

Solution: Use NULL as a Unique Value

15.

Query Antipattern - Ambiguous Groups

3 Lessons

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

Synopsis: Ambiguous Groups

Antipattern: Reference Non-grouped Columns

Solution: Use Columns Unambiguously

16.

Query Antipattern - Random Selection

3 Lessons

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

Synopsis: Random Selection

Antipattern: Sort Data Randomly

Solution: In No Particular Order

17.

Query Antipattern - Poor Man’s Search Engine

4 Lessons

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

Synopsis: Poor Man’s Search Engine

Antipattern: Pattern Matching Predicates

Solution: Use the Right Tool for the Job

Alternatives To Make Text Searchable

18.

Query Antipattern - Spaghetti Query

3 Lessons

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

Synopsis: Spaghetti Query

Antipattern: Solve a Complex Problem in One Step

Solution: Divide and Conquer

19.

Query Antipattern - Implicit Columns

3 Lessons

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

Synopsis: Implicit Columns

Antipattern: A Shortcut That Gets You Lost

Solution: Name Columns Explicitly

Assessment: Query Antipattern

Assessment

20.

Application Development Antipattern - Readable Passwords

4 Lessons

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

Synopsis: Readable Passwords

Antipattern: Store Password in Plain Text

Solution: Store a Salted Hash of the Password

Other Ways to Secure Our Database Passwords

21.

Application Development Antipattern - SQL Injection

4 Lessons

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

Synopsis: SQL Injection

Antipattern: Execute Unverified Input As Code

The Quest for a Cure

Solution: Trust No One

22.

Application Development Antipattern - Pseudokey Neat-Freak

3 Lessons

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

Synopsis: Pseudo Key Neat-Freak

Antipattern: Filling in the Corners

Solution: Strictly Follow Referencing Rules

23.

Application Development Antipattern - See No Evil

3 Lessons

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

Synopsis: See No Evil

Antipattern: Making Bricks Without Straw

Solution: Recover from Errors Gracefully

24.

Application Development Antipattern - Diplomatic Immunity

3 Lessons

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

Synopsis: Diplomatic Immunity

Antipattern: Make SQL a Second-Class Citizen

Solution: Establish a Big-Tent Culture of Quality

25.

Application Development Antipattern - Magic Beans

3 Lessons

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

Synopsis: Magic Beans

Antipattern: The Model Is an Active Record

Solution: The Model Has an Active Record

Assessment: Application Development Antipattern

Assessment

Certificate of Completion

Showcase your accomplishment by sharing your certificate of completion.

Course Author:

The Pragmatic Programmers

Developed by MAANG Engineers

Every Educative lesson is designed by our in-house team of ex-MAANG software engineers and PhD computer science educators, and developed in consultation with developers and data scientists working at Meta, Google, and more. Our mission is to get you hands-on with the necessary skills to stay ahead in a constantly changing industry. No video, no fluff. Just interactive, project-based learning with personalized feedback that adapts to your goals and experience.

Trusted by 2.7 million developers working at companies

"These are high-quality courses. Trust me. I own around 10 and the price is worth it for the content quality. EducativeInc came at the right time in my career. I'm understanding topics better than with any book or online video tutorial I've done. Truly made for developers. Thanks"

Anthony Walker

@_webarchitect_

"Just finished my first full #ML course: Machine learning for Software Engineers from Educative, Inc. ... Highly recommend!"

Evan Dunbar

ML Engineer

"You guys are the gold standard of crash-courses... Narrow enough that it doesn't need years of study or a full blown book to get the gist, but broad enough that an afternoon of Googling doesn't cut it."

Software Developer

Carlos Matias La Borde

"I spend my days and nights on Educative. It is indispensable. It is such a unique and reader-friendly site"

Souvik Kundu

Front-end Developer

"Your courses are simply awesome, the depth they go into and the breadth of coverage is so good that I don't have to refer to 10 different websites looking for interview topics and content."

Vinay Krishnaiah

Software Developer

Hands-on Learning Powered by AI

See how Educative uses AI to make your learning more immersive than ever before.

Personalized Interview Prep

Skip the LeetCode grind with a custom roadmap that adapts to your goals. Hands-on practice for Coding Interviews, System Design, and more.

Mock Interviews

Test your skills in a simulated interview setting. Receive personalized feedback based on your performance. Available for Coding Interviews, System Design, and more.

AI Prompt

Build prompt engineering skills. Practice implementing AI-informed solutions.

Code Feedback

Evaluate and debug your code with the click of a button. Get real-time feedback on test cases, including time and space complexity of your solutions.

Explain with AI

Select any text within any Educative course, and get an instant explanation — without ever leaving your browser.

AI Code Mentor

AI Code Mentor helps you quickly identify errors in your code, learn from your mistakes, and nudge you in the right direction — just like a 1:1 tutor!

Free Resources

FOR TEAMS

Interested in this course for your business or team?

Unlock this course (and 1,000+ more) for your entire org with DevPath