Level Up Your SQL: Subqueries & CTEs in the Real World

In the first SQL article, you met the basics: tables, data types, simple SELECT s, and filters. Now you’re ready for the point where “one query” quietly turns into “three nested queries and a headache.” This is where subqueries and Common Table Expressions (CTEs) earn their keep. They let you think in layers, express complex logic clearly, and avoid turning every report into a wall of SQL noise. In this follow‑up, we’ll stay practical and Postgres‑friendly. You’ll see where subqueries and CTEs f