Learn how to safely remove a SQL Server .ndf data file without any downtime using DBCC SHRINKFILE (EMPTYFILE). This hands-on tutorial walks through real-world Azure-based setup, data redistribution, and storage cleanup — ideal for DBAs managing enterprise SQL Server environments.
2025-05-16
2,956 reads
The ASCII function is used to return the ASCII value for the first character in a string.
2025-05-16
First things first: pick up that filthy keyboard, take it over to the trash can, turn it upside down, and give it a good, vigorous shake.
2025-05-14
See how ChatGPT can be used to analyze a dataset, produce charts, and train a model.
2025-05-12
396 reads
Microsoft provides T-SQL developers with three functions (rand, newid, and crypt_gen_random) for generating random numbers. Each of these functions is effective at returning random values, but feature sets associated with each function make them best suited to different use cases. This tip’s Solution section presents an overview of common use cases for random numbers in SQL Server along with references to learn more about random numbers in SQL Server.
2025-05-12
Learn how to work with dates and calculate particular dates or elapsed time periods with some of the functions available in SQL Server.
2025-05-09
3,355 reads
I preface a lot of what I write with whether or not it is for a “practical” use. One of the Simple Talk authors used this function in a forthcoming article. and I realized I hadn’t heard of it before (or I forgot about it… which is not completely unlikely.) The practical use was to generate some data and have at least a little variety to the values.
2025-05-09
I know SQL cursors exist, but I am not sure how or why to use them. Can you provide a SQL cursor example? Can you give any guidance on when to use a SQL Server cursor?
2025-05-07
No, that isn’t an April 1st joke, heh. I know a lot of vendors are shoving AI down your throat, but I can think of a few ways I actually want to get quick, easy advice from large language models (LLM) when I’m calling the sp_Blitz scripts:
2025-05-05
With the ubiquity of real-time data, organizations need streaming systems that are scalable, easy to use, and easy to integrate into business applications. Structured Streaming is a new high-level streaming API in Apache Spark based on my experience with Spark Streaming. In this article, we show structured streaming data written into Spark Tables and consumed by reporting Analytic for reporting needs.
2025-05-02
1,150 reads
By Steve Jones
This month we have a new host, Meagan Longoria, who graciously agreed to help...
By Steve Jones
I’m at the UK Redgate office today, meeting with senior leaders in all areas...
Optimizing Azure SQL Database performance often begins with identifying the most resource-intensive queries. Understanding...
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Creating a JSON Document IV
By VishnuGupthanSQLPowershellDBA
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Restoring Azure Key Vault Keys...
When the schema of an object is changed, SQL Server wipes out the previous...
I have this data in a table called dbo.NFLTeams
TeamID TeamName City YearEstablished ------ -------- ---- --------------- 1 Cowboys Dallas 1960 2 Eagles Philadelphia 1933 3 Packers Green Bay 1919 4 Chiefs Kansas City 1960 5 49ers San Francisco 1946 6 Broncos Denver 1960 7 Seahawks Seattle 1976 8 Patriots New England 1960If I run this code, how many rows are returned?
SELECT YearEstablished, json_objectagg(city : TeamName) FROM dbo.NFLTeams GROUP BY YearEstablished;See possible answers