Simplicity is Key

If a simple JOIN can get the job done, skip the subqueries or CTEs. Why write a novel when a short story will do?

Example:

Instead of doing this:

Just do this

Saves time, saves brain cells!

Comment Like You’re Explaining to a 5-Year-Old

Think of comments as little breadcrumbs for your future self. Don’t assume you’ll remember your logic six months down the line — you won’t. So, feel free to write comments longer than a Netflix series description.

Example:

Keep It Simple, Not an MBA Thesis

If you need 12 steps to get an output, you’re probably overthinking it. Remember, the database engine is smart — maybe smarter than us some days — so trust it to do the heavy lifting. If you’re writing a query that makes you break into a sweat, it’s time to take a break and rethink.

Complex Example (and probably overcomplicated):

This might seem fancy, but are you really saving time, or just creating a query that makes your head spin?

Solution:

If you can optimize, optimize. You might not need all that fancy stuff:

Straight to the point. Less code, less confusion.

So, remember: keep it simple, comment thoroughly, and let the database do the work. And when all else fails, grab a coffee and remind yourself that SQL, like life, doesn’t need to be more complicated than it already is!