The biggest SQL antipattern is failing to recognize that SQL is actually a programming language.

Therefore you should create a consistent indentation style for SQL. See https://bentilly.blogspot.com/2011/02/sql-formatting-style.h... for mine. Second, you should try to group logical things together. This is why people should move subqueries into common table expressions. And finally, don't be afraid of commenting wisely.

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xyzzy_plugh 14 hours ago | parent [-]

Style opinions are borderline irrelevant without appropriate linters.

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javcasas 14 hours ago | parent [-]

Go and use Google BigQuery auto-formatter in a complex query with CASE and EXTRACT YEAR FROM date, and you will have a totally different opinion.

How that auto-formatter indents is borderly almost a hate crime. A thousand times better to indent manually.

	▲	OscarCunningham 13 hours ago \| parent [-]
		I've even seen the BigQuery formatter change the behaviour of a query, by mixing a keyword from a comment into the real code.