Then one Christmas Eve I discovered I was out of Campbell’s Cream of Mushroom soup. It was snowing, so I didn’t want to

I personally enjoy SQL development more than most. I interned early in my career with a team of outstanding database administrators and quickly fell in love. I had taken my database courses in school, so I had some basic knowledge, but what I learned during that internship has been invaluable to me. Not only did it teach me that I have a secret passion for data, but the technical understanding I gained has been a boon in every job I’ve gotten going forward.,There is a lot to database development and administration — there are experts out there who can work magic. However, as a developer and not an SQL wizard, these are the topics that will set you apart from the pack when it comes to SQL knowledge.,Do you think the Campbell Soup Company would have liked this little story? I think my foster mother would be happier I’m sharing it with you. Give this change a try. You’ll be pleased.,When my partner and I started dating, I was completely aware of my strengths, weaknesses, fears, insecurities, hopes, dreams — everything. I knew myself, I knew what I had to improve and I knew what I had to let go of. I was no longer afraid to recognize my true self — and that’s self-love at its best.,From then on, that’s how I’ve made the classic green bean casserole. I’ve passed my secret on to family and friends. I now charge my youngest granddaughter with making the green bean casserole. I taught her when she was five. She eventually tweaked the recipe even more by adding Beau Monde seasoning.,2 cans (14.5 ounces each) French cut green beans 1 can (10.5 ounces) Campbells Condensed Cream of Celery Soup 1/2 cup whole milk 1 1/3 cups French’s French Fried Onions 1/8 teaspoon Spice Islands Beau Monde seasoning Dash of fresh cracked pepper,If Dorcas Reilly had tried the cream of celery soup instead of the mushroom soup, that would be the recipe of international fame. It amazed me and everyone at my Christmas Day meal that year. Everyone wanted to know what I’d done differently.,The big idea behind database normalization is to reduce data redundancy and make sure that data is stored in a clean, logical manner. The level to which a database is normalized is based on which “normal form” it achieves. To date, there are debatably up to six normal forms, but in reality, all you need to understand are the first three.,If you’ve taken a course on relational databases in school, you have surely encountered the term normalization. It’s the core concept of database design. However, as a developer, here’s why you should care: It will make your life easier.,WRITTEN BY Katie Michaelson I tend plants and people from my 120-year-old home and small garden. I see strength in the injured spirit and find significance in the insignificant.,Whatever recipe you use at your family gathering, charge youth in your family with making something special from your traditions. Select something that will set them up for success like my foster mother did for me.,However, in our industry, having full-stack skills is always a good idea. You never know what will be thrown at you. We interact with SQL daily, so more knowledge will always come in handy. Additionally, if you end up at a smaller company that does not have the resources for a full database team, more of those responsibilities will fall on you. Being able to state that you are confident in your database skills during an interview will open up many interesting career paths.,At many companies, there is even a separate database team that will be handling the database design and optimization, so you will never get first-hand exposure. I think this is often the deterrent to learning more about SQL. It’s viewed as a utility that is often handled by others. Software developers have enough on their plate, right? Fair enough.,According to JetBrains’ 2020 Developer Ecosystem Survey, 56% of developers utilize or interact with a SQL database in their development environment. Even so, most developers view SQL concepts as a secondary concern, as they are often interacting via their chosen language and do not play much of a part in the design. Generally speaking, being able to connect and run basic queries will get you through the day.,WRITTEN BY Katie Michaelson I tend plants and people from my 120-year-old home and small garden. I see strength in the injured spirit and find significance in the insignificant.