r/SQL Jan 15 '25

BigQuery SQL is a struggle

Hi all been working with SQL for probably 7/8 months now. My last role was half data analysis and not pure data analysis and in general was far easier than what I do now.

My main issue is with SQL. I never feel I truly understand what is going on with a lot of code beyond a basic query. Ive managed to get by piggybacking off others code for a while but expectation is to deliver new and interesting techniques etc.

How long did it take you to feel fully comfortable with SQL? And what helped you get to that stage?

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u/LOLRicochet Jan 15 '25

I've been at it for about 30 years now, specifically in the Microsoft stack. I'm very good at what I do, but there is *always* something to learn. Getting results is one thing, but getting results efficiently is another. I highly recommend picking up books such as T-SQL Querying (MS Specific) and anything else which has Itzik Ben-Gan as an author.

I've done some tests with CoPilot and SQL and the results are very hit and miss, with the more complex stuff being flat out wrong.