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Microsoft SQL Server (MSSQL)

Information Technology > Database management system

Description

Microsoft SQL Server is a relational database management system developed by Microsoft. It's used to store and retrieve data as requested by other software applications, either on the same computer or on another across a network. Skills in SQL Server range from understanding basic concepts and writing simple queries, to designing complex databases and optimizing performance. Advanced skills include managing security permissions, handling errors, and using SQL Server Integration Services. At the expert level, users can design high availability solutions, manage large databases, and master SQL Server Reporting and Analysis Services. These skills are essential for database administrators, developers, and data analysts.

Stack

.NET

Expected Behaviors

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LEVEL 1

Fundamental Awareness

At this level, individuals have a basic understanding of SQL Server and its components. They are familiar with the SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) and can understand T-SQL syntax. They also have an understanding of data types in SQL Server and are aware of basic database concepts.

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LEVEL 2

Novice

Novices can create and manage databases and write simple SELECT queries. They understand JOINs and can insert, update, and delete data. They also have an understanding of basic stored procedures.

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LEVEL 3

Intermediate

Intermediate users can write complex queries and understand indexes and their importance. They can design and implement a database schema and know about normalization and denormalization techniques. They can use transactions and understand their importance.

⭐
LEVEL 4

Advanced

Advanced users can tune performance and optimize SQL Server. They understand advanced stored procedures and triggers and know about SQL Server security and permissions. They can handle errors and exceptions in T-SQL and understand SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS).

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LEVEL 5

Expert

Experts have mastered SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS) and SQL Server Analysis Services (SSAS). They can design and implement high availability and disaster recovery solutions. They have a deep understanding of SQL Server internals and can manage large databases. They are experts in SQL Server replication and partitioning.

Micro Skills

✎
LEVEL 1

Fundamental Awareness

Familiarity with the purpose and use of SQL Server
Knowledge of different versions and editions of SQL Server
Awareness of the basic architecture of SQL Server
Ability to navigate through SSMS interface
Understanding of how to connect to a SQL Server instance using SSMS
Basic knowledge of executing queries in SSMS
Understanding of SELECT, INSERT, UPDATE, DELETE statements
Familiarity with WHERE clause and ORDER BY clause
Basic knowledge of functions like COUNT(), SUM(), AVG()
Knowledge of numeric data types like INT, DECIMAL
Understanding of string data types like CHAR, VARCHAR
Familiarity with date and time data types like DATE, TIME, DATETIME
Understanding of what a database is
Familiarity with tables and columns
Basic knowledge of primary keys and foreign keys
🌱
LEVEL 2

Novice

Understanding of the CREATE DATABASE syntax
Knowledge of ALTER DATABASE for modifying database properties
Familiarity with DROP DATABASE for deleting databases
Understanding of how to use SSMS for database management
Understanding of the SELECT statement syntax
Knowledge of WHERE clause for filtering data
Familiarity with ORDER BY clause for sorting results
Understanding of GROUP BY clause for grouping data
Knowledge of INNER JOIN for combining rows from two or more tables
Understanding of LEFT JOIN, RIGHT JOIN, and FULL JOIN
Familiarity with the ON keyword for specifying join conditions
Understanding of the INSERT INTO statement for adding new records
Knowledge of UPDATE statement for modifying existing records
Familiarity with DELETE statement for removing records
Knowledge of CREATE PROCEDURE syntax
Understanding of how to execute a stored procedure using EXECUTE or EXEC
Familiarity with parameterized stored procedures
Understanding of control-of-flow language (IF...ELSE, WHILE)
🌍
LEVEL 3

Intermediate

Understanding of correlated and uncorrelated subqueries
Ability to use subqueries in the WHERE clause
Understanding of subqueries in the SELECT clause
Ability to use subqueries in the FROM clause
Knowledge of COUNT, SUM, AVG, MIN, MAX functions
Understanding of GROUP BY clause
Ability to use HAVING clause
Understanding of RANK, DENSE_RANK, ROW_NUMBER functions
Ability to use PARTITION BY clause
Understanding of ORDER BY clause in window functions
Understanding of CASE statement
Ability to use IIF function
Knowledge of UNION and UNION ALL
Understanding of INTERSECT and EXCEPT
⭐
LEVEL 4

Advanced

Ability to read and interpret execution plans
Understanding of statistics and their role in execution plans
Understanding of input and output parameters
Knowledge of dynamic SQL within stored procedures
Knowledge of Windows authentication
Understanding of SQL Server authentication
Ability to use TRY/CATCH for error handling
Understanding of nested TRY/CATCH blocks
Understanding of the SSIS package designer
Knowledge of SSIS package deployment
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LEVEL 5

Expert

Understanding of report lifecycle
Proficiency in Report Builder
Knowledge of expressions in SSRS
Understanding of subreports and drilldown reports
Proficiency in managing report subscriptions
Understanding of AlwaysOn architecture
Ability to configure AlwaysOn
Knowledge of failover process
Proficiency in monitoring AlwaysOn
Understanding of backup strategies with AlwaysOn
Knowledge of query optimization process
Ability to read execution plans
Understanding of statistics
Proficiency in managing query performance
Knowledge of query store
Understanding of partitioned tables and indexes
Proficiency in managing partitions
Knowledge of distributed partitioned views
Understanding of data compression
Proficiency in large table operations
Knowledge of replication components
Ability to set up and manage replication
Understanding of replication agents
Proficiency in managing replicated data
Understanding of replication monitoring

Skill Overview

  • Expert5 years experience
  • Micro-skills82
  • Roles requiring skill6

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