Writing "correct" code is only the first step; high-level T-SQL skill involves writing efficient and clean code . How to write efficient TSQL - SQLServerCentral

Tools like CASE expressions allow developers to apply "if-else" logic directly within a query without moving data back to an external application. Best Practices for Performance and Readability

T-SQL statements are generally categorized into several types:

These provide a way to encapsulate logic, making complex queries more readable and maintainable .

Used for defining objects, such as CREATE , ALTER , and DROP .

Includes SELECT , INSERT , UPDATE , and DELETE . Contrary to popular belief, SELECT is a DML statement because it interacts with data.