CTE x Sub Queries

The Magic of CTEs and Subqueries in Database Queries

Cássio Bolba
5 min readNov 12, 2023

When it comes to databases and SQL queries, two powerful features often comes in mind when we need to tackle complex data manipulations: Common Table Expressions (CTEs) and subqueries. These gems of the database make our lives as developers a whole lot easier, but understanding when to use each and their respective pros and cons can be a game-changer. So, buckle up as we embark on a journey to demystify CTEs and subqueries, exploring their quirks, strengths, and even a few pitfalls.

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Common Table Expressions (CTEs)

Let’s kick things off with Common Table Expressions, or CTEs for short. Think of CTEs as temporary result sets that you can reference within the context of a SELECT, INSERT, UPDATE, or DELETE statement. They’re like the post-it notes of SQL, helping you break down complex queries into more manageable chunks.

Pros of CTEs

1. Readability:
CTEs can significantly enhance the readability of your queries. Instead…

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