Log 02: The Sample Data Struggle & The "Wildcard" Trap

With the Docker environment finally running, it was time to move from "configuring" to "doing." I went to the Microsoft SSMS source and pulled two classic sample files: instnwnd.sql (Northwind) and instpub.sql (Pubs). My plan was simple: install them, run some queries, and sharpen my SQL skills. As is tradition in development, it wasn't that easy. The Ghost in the Container When I ran instnwnd.sql against my Docker-hosted SQL Express, the database simply didn't appear in the SSMS Object Explorer. I’m still not entirely sure why—it’s a task for another day. Instead of getting bogged down in another configuration rabbit hole, I pivoted to instpub.sql. It worked. I finally had data to play with. The Practice Run: 5 Challenges I set out to solve five challenges ranging from basic filtering to aggregations. Here’s a look at the "Lessons Learned" from the session. 1. The "SELECT *" Trap I started out by using SELECT * for almost everything. It’s a common beginner habit, but I quickly realize