Beginning T-SQL

CHAPTER 16

Expanding on Data Type Concepts

You have learned how to retrieve data from SQL Server tables in a number of ways: through simple queries, through joins, with functions, and more. You have learned to manipulate data, write scripts, and create database objects. Essentially, you have learned the T-SQL basics. Not only have you learned the mechanics of T-SQL, but you have also learned to think about the best way to solve a problem, not just the easy way.

This chapter introduces some of the more interesting and complex data types available in SQL Server. You will learn about sparse columns, built-in complex types (HIERARCHYID, GEOMETRY ...