T-SQL Window Functions: For data analysis and beyond, 2nd Edition

Introduction

To me, Window functions are the most profound feature supported by both the SQL standard and Microsoft SQL Server’s dialect—T-SQL. They allow you to perform calculations against sets of rows in a flexible, clear, and efficient manner. The design of window functions is ingenious and overcomes a number of shortcomings of the traditional alternatives. The range of tasks that window functions help solve is so wide that it is well worth investing your time in learning those. Window functions have evolved quite substantially since their inception in SQL Server over the different versions, as well as in the SQL standard. This book covers both the SQL Server–specific support for window functions as well as the SQL standard’s support, including ...