capn.hector (3/13/2012)
after playing with it in SSMS and figuring out what most of the code did that was the only part i was wondering about. i joined up here to further me on my way to a self taught DBA. im currently in a job where i can slowly wade into the ocean as i learn more. i know enough that i can get functionally correct code but realize i have allot to learn to get efficient code.
You are doing the right thing. Learn what the code is doing. One thing you can do with this code is start at the beginning. If I run the first CTE as just a select statement, what do I get. Then slowly add each additional piece as see what it returns.
I find that helps me in developing code as well as trying to understand what others are trying to do. Works with CTEs and with multiple joins between tables.