Microsoft SQL Server Database Cheatsheet

Microsoft SQL Server is a powerful relational database management system that is widely used for storing and managing data. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced SQL developer, having a cheatsheet at your disposal can be incredibly handy. This cheatsheet will provide you with quick reference points and code snippets for common SQL Server tasks.

1. Connecting to SQL Server

Connecting via SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS)

-- Connect to a server
USE master;
GO

-- Connect to a database
USE YourDatabaseName;
GO

Connecting via SQLCMD

sqlcmd -S YourServerName -d YourDatabaseName -U YourUsername -P YourPassword

2. Database Basics

Creating a Database

CREATE DATABASE YourDatabaseName;

Creating a Table

CREATE TABLE YourTableName (
    Column1 datatype,
    Column2 datatype,
    -- Add more columns as needed
);

3. Data Manipulation

Inserting Data

INSERT INTO YourTableName (Column1, Column2)
VALUES (Value1, Value2);

Updating Data

UPDATE YourTableName
SET Column1 = NewValue1
WHERE YourCondition;

Deleting Data

DELETE FROM YourTableName
WHERE YourCondition;

4. Querying Data

Selecting Data

SELECT Column1, Column2
FROM YourTableName
WHERE YourCondition;

Filtering Data

SELECT *
FROM YourTableName
WHERE Column1 = 'Value';

Sorting Data

SELECT *
FROM YourTableName
ORDER BY Column1 ASC; -- or DESC for descending order

5. Joins

Inner Join

SELECT *
FROM Table1
INNER JOIN Table2 ON Table1.Key = Table2.Key;

Left Join

SELECT *
FROM Table1
LEFT JOIN Table2 ON Table1.Key = Table2.Key;

6. Stored Procedures

Creating a Stored Procedure

CREATE PROCEDURE YourStoredProcedureName
AS
BEGIN
    -- Your logic here
END;

Executing a Stored Procedure

EXEC YourStoredProcedureName;

7. Indexing

Creating an Index

CREATE INDEX YourIndexName
ON YourTableName (Column1, Column2);

Dropping an Index

DROP INDEX YourTableName.YourIndexName;

8. Backup and Restore

Creating a Backup

BACKUP DATABASE YourDatabaseName
TO DISK = 'C:\YourBackupPath\YourBackupFile.bak';

Restoring a Database

RESTORE DATABASE YourDatabaseName
FROM DISK = 'C:\YourBackupPath\YourBackupFile.bak';

Remember, this cheatsheet covers the basics, and SQL Server has many advanced features and functionalities. Use it as a quick reference guide, and feel free to explore more in-depth documentation for complex scenarios.

FAQ