From #N column references to boolean math, explore the extreme techniques used to solve the Quackmas 2025 SQL Golf challenge.

MotherDuck's platform is a resource for parents and caregivers, offering insights into child development, parenting techniques, and family wellness. Through articles, expert interviews, and parenting tips, MotherDuck offers insights into fostering healthy relationships, supporting children's emotional well-being, and navigating parenthood challenges. Readers can learn about positive parenting strategies, age-appropriate activities, and family bonding experiences to create a nurturing and supportive environment for their children.

MotherDuck

SQL golf challenges developers to write the shortest possible queries. This article explores five extreme techniques from the Quackmas 2025 competition: column position references (#N), boolean math for counting (sum(condition)), the mode() function to replace GROUP BY/ORDER BY/LIMIT, comma join syntax, and DuckDB-specific shortcuts like FROM-first syntax and QUALIFY. While these tricks produced winning solutions as short as 36 characters, they sacrifice readability for brevity. Some techniques like mode() and QUALIFY are genuinely useful in production, while others like #N column references and whitespace elimination should stay in competitions.

SQL Golf: 5 SQL Tricks You Should (Probably) Never Use

Boolean math: the trick that makes you feel smart

The mode() trick: replacing three clauses with one function

DuckDB shortcuts you might not know about

The subtraction trick: my favorite solution