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 […]
2025-12-26 (first published: 2020-12-31)
5,047 reads
I’ve used SQL window functions for years, but I’ve never fully understood framing. To truly master window functions, you need at least a basic grasp of framing and how to apply it to your queries. Framing is especially helpful when working with aggregate functions. How can you overcome this hesitation to try framing?
2025-12-26
A little Christmas fun for you using the spatial features in SQL Server and SSMS.
2025-12-24
2,931 reads
With SQL Server 2012 Microsoft introduced the AlwaysOn Availability Group feature, and since then many changes and improvements have been made. This article is an update to another article, and will cover the prerequisites and steps for installing AlwaysOn in your SQL Server 2019 environment. Prerequisites Before implementing your AlwaysOn Availability Group (AG), make sure […]
2025-12-24 (first published: 2025-11-25)
443 reads
You’re a developer responsible for maintaining a SQL Server database used to feed data to Power BI. You realize that some tables don’t have a modifiedDate column and some do. Also, you know the data is updated by the application as well as other processes which makes the modifiedDate unreliable. This is because it may not always be updated when data changes. You need a way to track data changes to ensure only changed rows are updated on reports in Power BI.
2025-12-24
2025-12-22
7,859 reads
First off, I understand if you read the headline and you have a knee-jerk reaction. I totally understand that there are a lot of people out there who hate AI, and believe me, I hate most uses of it. Lots of its advice can be misleading at best, and absolute garbage at worst.
2025-12-22
I have been working in various computer languages for a long time. When I saw that the || operator was coming, I was a bit confused as to why we needed this, and how it would work. After all, this is a part of other languages. I decided to dig in a bit. This is […]
2025-12-19
7,726 reads
SQL Server 2025 includes new features and enhancements. In the previous SQL Server 2025 tips, we have explored many new features. Have you explored the new Product() function? If not, this will walk you through the Product() function with several examples.
2025-12-19
Securing SQL Server isn’t complicated, but it does require consistent attention to the areas where real risks arise, such as privileges, configuration, encryption, patching, and monitoring. This article outlines 15 practical, high-impact steps you can take to harden your SQL Server environment.
2025-12-17
By Steve Jones
This was Redgate in 2010, spread across the globe. First the EU/US Here’s Asia...
By John
Today is Christmas and while I do not expect anybody to actual be reading...
By Bert Wagner
Until recently, my family's 90,000+ photos have been hidden away in the depths of...
Comments posted to this topic are about the item UNISTR Escape
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Celebrating Tomorrow
Comments posted to this topic are about the item SQL Art: I Made a...
In SQL Server 2025, I run this command:
SELECT UNISTR('*3041*308A*304C\3068 and good night', '*') as "A Classic";
What is returned? (assume the database has an appropriate collation)
A: 
B: 
C: 
See possible answers