T-SQL in SQL Server 2025: Encoding Functions
Learn about these new binary encoding and decoding functions in SQL Server 2025.
2026-01-09
1,718 reads
Articles
Generating Shape Bound Random Points in SQL Server
Random number generation is vital in computer science, supporting fields like optimization, simulation, robotics, and gaming. The quality, speed, and sometimes security of the generator can directly affect an algorithm’s correctness, performance, and competitiveness. In Python, random number generation is well-supported and widely used. In this article, we will look how to we can use SQL to do this.
2026-01-09
PowerShell Day By Day: The Pipeline
In this article, I wanted to discuss the PowerShell (PoSh) pipeline, which was confusing to me at first and took some time to get used to working with. I had used one in Linux before, but the PoSh one is more powerful, but also slightly different. Hopefully I can demystify some of the concepts for […]
2026-01-07 (first published: 2020-12-31)
5,899 reads
Using Python notebooks to save money in Fabric: The Fabric Modern Data Platform
In this next article, we look at how notebooks using Python can be cheaper than Spark notebooks.
2026-01-07
1,757 reads
Let’s Build a Better KILL. What Do We Need to Consider?
When there’s a performance emergency, a lot of us perform the same manual tasks over and over. We run sp_BlitzWho or sp_WhoIsActive, look for blocking, long-running or out-of-control queries, and kill them.
2026-01-07
Loading a Database for USD$5
See how Claude Code helped load a lot of messy data into a database for less than $5.
2026-01-05
2,159 reads
Optimize SQL Server Query without Changing the Query
Sometimes we cannot improve query performance because we don’t have control over the code. Consider a query that is generated by Entity Framework (EF) from the application and you do not have access to the source code. The main question is how you can improve SQL Server query optimization for a poorly performing query?
2026-01-05
The OUTPUT Clause for INSERT and DELETE Statements
In this article, I will provide a set of examples to show case the use of OUTPUT clause for INSERT and DELETE statements.
2026-01-02 (first published: 2017-05-25)
306,033 reads
10 Key Concepts Developers Should Know About the SQL Server model Database
This article covers the 10 key concepts developers should understand to avoid surprises and to use the model database intentionally.
2026-01-02
Fixing "Login failed for user" error in SQL Server
In this article, I am going to explain fixing a problem related login failure error with SQL Server. The Problem One of the common error in the SQL Server error log is "Login failed for user 'DomainName\ServerName$'. Reason: Could not find a login matching the name provided. [CLIENT: <local machine>]". Even though it says that […]
2025-12-31 (first published: 2020-11-24)
53,733 reads
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Where Your Value Separates You from Others
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Fixing the Error
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T-SQL in SQL Server 2025: Encoding Functions
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Question of the Day
Fixing the Error
On SQL Server 2025, I have a database that has this collation: SQL_Latin1_General_CP1_CI_AS. I decide I want to run this code:
SELECT UNISTR('*3041*308A*304C*3068 and good night', '*') AS 'A Classic';
I get this error:Msg 9844, Level 16, State 4, Line 24 The char/varchar input type uses an unsupported collation. Only a UTF8 collation is supported with char/varchar input type in UNISTR function.What is the easiest way to fix this error? See possible answers