Chapter 2. Review of SQL Server Features for Developers

Before delving into the new features in SQL Server 2016, let's have a quick recapitulation of the features of SQL Server for developers already available in the previous versions of SQL Server. Recapitulating the most important features will help you remember what you already have in your development toolbox and also understand the need and the benefits of the new or improved features in SQL Server 2016.

Tip

This chapter has a lot of code. As this is not a book for beginners, the intention of this chapter is not to teach you the basics of database development. It is rather a reminder of the many powerful and efficient Transact-SQL (T-SQL) and other elements included in SQL Server version 2014 and even earlier.

The recapitulation starts with the mighty T-SQL SELECT statement. Besides the basic clauses, advanced techniques such as window functions, common table expressions, and the APPLY operator are explained. Then, you...