To demonstrate that dynamic modules in PowerShell can be used to easily create objects with methods and properties, Phil Factor implements an expression analyser written in PowerShell, using a variation of Dijstra's Shunting Algorithm.  Read more...

General introduction to R Services in SQL Server 2016 and how R server works with external stored procedure.  Read more...

Data Science is a hot area and one to which quite a few people would like to move. Steve Jones has some thoughts on trying to get certified in this area.  Read more...

Row Level Security is one of many new features in SQL Server 2016. It provides a much easier, consistent, and maintainable solution for row-based security rules. In this blog post, Data Platform MVP Steve Jones introduces this new feature, and walks through how Redgate SQL Compare can safely and reliably handle RLS changes.   Read more...

Learn how to use Redgate’s DLM solution to improve your database change management process in this free webinar on September 20th. Microsoft Data Platform MVPs, Steve Jones and Grant Fritchey, will demonstrate how Redgate’s tools plug into Visual Studio Online so that you can build, test and deploy your database alongside your application code. Register now.  Read more...

U-SQL provides a number of ways to join data sources together. This articles introduces the joins available and how you can use them.  Read more...

Last week Steve Jones participated in the Down Tools Week at Redgate Software.  Read more...

In this free eBook, Kalen Delaney explains how Microsoft's new In-memory OLTP engine works. In her book, learn how to use lock- and latch-free data structures to allow non-blocking data processing, and find out how to migrate existing tables to Hekaton.  Read more...

Tim Smith shares some ideas about how to handle and alert on irregular data coming from APIs when loading your database.  Read more...

Protecting the keys used for encrypion can really matter for companies, and in today's complex world, that can be difficult. Monitoring becomes important to helping here.  Read more...

Read about the Restore Genie and the new support for fork points, Azure and Multiple Concurrent Restores.   Read more...

Power BI allows you to connect directly to the data just as if it were a “standard” connection, and modify and extend the data to support analytics. By using DirectQuery, you can build reports based on extremely large datasets where re-importing data not a practical solution. It also allows you to do data aggregations on the server. There are, of course, restrictions as well but it is nevertheless a worthwhile technique to use where appropriate. Adam Aspin explains all.  Read more...

Steve Jones thinks version control is important, even for databases.  Read more...

this article describes about creating partitions on our existing Tables and also gives details about how to create rolling partition to support new data  Read more...

To survive the inevitable downturns in the IT industry, Phil Factor argues that a IT manager needs to take time to maintain technical skills. It is not enough to understand development; you have to be able to do it.  Read more...

Arshad Ali takes a look at traditional analytics architecture, the challenges it faces, and how the newly introduced Real-time Operational Analytics feature overcomes those challenges.  Read more...

We've all heard that definitive statement: "Avoid using cursors." But, in my opinion, what really should be conveyed is: "Avoid using row-by-row operations when possible."  Read more...

What things impress you most about potential candidates. This week Steve Jones asks the question to try and understand what types of activities data professionals might consider.  Read more...

Gerg Robidoux demonstrates a couple of methods for determining which version of SQL Server you're running, as well as what service pack or hotfix is installed.  Read more...

Today we have a guest editorial as Steve is traveling. Ben Kubicek notes that sometimes it is hard for technical people to communicate well.   Read more...