Are SQL Challenges On Topic?

Question

Should SQL challenges (performance-related or otherwise) be considered on topic for this site? By "SQL challenge" I mean attempting to solve a problem using SQL that may not have any immediate, real world application. In some cases it could be obvious that SQL is the wrong choice of language for the problem. I think that a strict interpretation of the rules would consider these to be off topic, but I find them to be a fun way to be exposed to new ways of solving problems and to develop technical skills.

To try to better explain what I mean here, I would define a challenge as writing code for the sake of writing code. I know the example questions below weren't closed, but I'm asking for the sake of future questions that might be asked. For example, consider dynamic data masking in SQL Server. I think that asking for queries which can quickly unmask data of a certain type would be an interesting exercise. Do I have a practical need for such an answer? No, I'm not a malicious hacker. Could I create a fake scenario for such a question? Sure, I could say something like "My boss is convinced that dynamic data masking will protect our data. Is it possible to write a very efficient data that unmasks all of the data?" Is that scenario necessary for it to be on topic?

Here are some examples of what I would describe as SQL challenges:

What are different ways to replace ISNULL() in a WHERE clause that uses only literal values?

How can I convert the first 100 million positive integers to strings?

Answer 1

Yes, SQL Challenges should be considered on topic because...

• they provide the community with new approaches to existing problems.

• they show the more exotic forms of SQL, and are an invaluable way to hone your craft.

• they are popular and may attract new expert users to the site

• We love fun

Answer 2

Neither.

SQL Challanges (as described in the question) are neither automatically on-topic, nor off-topic.

Each question should be evaluated on its merits by the community.

I would expect questions of this type to be well-received, if they:

• Fit in Q & A format
• Are clearly presented and explained
• Contain sufficient information to identify correct answers
• Invite answers based on expertise and experience, rather than personal opinion
• Produce content with long-term value

Answer 3

No, SQL Challenges should be considered off topic because...

• they belong on Programming Puzzles & Code Golf (PPCG) (but please read their help center before posting there)
• our Q & A is not set up to handle this type of activity well
  • PPCG has code snippets (to generate a leaderboard) and a sandbox etc.
• they're not practical, answerable questions based on actual problems
  • consequently, allowing them creates a precedent for questions explicitly ignoring guidelines, for others to follow suit
• experiments on a similar Q & A style site did not generate lasting value
• challenges will generate excessive side discussion
• they will attract low quality answers
• we hate fun

Answer 4

No, but continue to allow moderator/community discretion for questions that don't quite fit, but produce sufficiently interesting answers.

Worth noting is that neither question you have linked is closed. A question that starts "What are different ways to…" is a red flag for other reasons, whether it is on-topic or not, which just goes to show that the community is already flexible concerning Q&A with that degree of effort/interest.

The problem with voting "Yes" here is not that this kind of Q&A won't be allowed (it already is in some special cases), but that it turns routine closures of all sorts of silly stuff into a bigger battle. Do we really want a flood of code-golf here?