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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.

Beginner

87 Lessons

6h 45min

Certificate of Completion

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

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This course includes

5 Assessments

214 Playgrounds

Course Overview

What You'll Learn

Course Content

Course Overview

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, ph...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.

Course Content

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

10.

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

12.

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

13.

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

14.

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

15.

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

17.

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

18.

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

19.

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

20.

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

21.

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

22.

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

24.

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

25.

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

26.

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

27.

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

28.

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

29.

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

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