Write more compact SQL Server code using new features
Learn about new functions in SQL Server 2016 and 2017 to have more readable and compact code including STRING_AGG, TRIM, TRANSLATE and DROP... IF EXISTS.
2018-12-06
3,690 reads
Articles
Transferring Data with JSON in SQL Server
JSON is a viable option for transferring data between systems. It has the ability to include schema information along with the data which is an advantage over CSV files. In this article, Phil Factor demonstrates how he takes advantage of JSON when exporting or importing tables.
2018-12-05
3,025 reads
2018-12-04
583 reads
Overview of Azure SQL Database Information Protection
Information protection becomes one of the dominant factors that drive modern database design and implementation. This becomes particularly evident when operating in a cloud computing environment, with Azure SQL Database serving as one of the prime examples of this trend. Microsoft delivers relevant features by leveraging several different security-related Azure services. In this article, we will provide an overview of this functionality.
2018-12-04
1,981 reads
Cost estimation for SQL Server Azure VMs
This article provides pricing guidance for SQL Server virtual machines in Azure.
2018-12-03
3,435 reads
Adding a Primary Key to a Prepopulated Table using a SQL Server Integration Services Package
In this tip we look at how you can use SSIS to build a package to add a primary key to an existing table that does not already have a primary key.
2018-12-03
2,109 reads
The Curse of Cursor Options
Books Online says the FAST_FORWARD option has "performance optimizations enabled," but they didn't say if they were good. It turns out they're not.
2018-11-30
3,017 reads
T-SQL Decommenter Part IV
Examination of the comprehensive test suite for the T-SQL Decommenter, along with explanation of the modifications made to produce the production version.
2018-11-29
675 reads
Meeting Preparation for SQL Server Projects
Learn how to prepare for technical meetings including knowing your environment, being calm, business values, solution focus and more.
2018-11-29
2,515 reads
SQL Server on Amazon Web Services (AWS)
Relational Database Service (RDS) and Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2) are two different approaches, with their own advantages and limitations, for making Microsoft SQL Server (MS SQL Server) available and maintaining MS SQL Server databases on Amazon Web Services (AWS).
2018-11-28
2,382 reads
Blogs
How to Clear the SSMS Cache (SSMS 21 and Later)
By SQLPals
How to Clear the SSMS Cache (SSMS 21 and Later) Updated...
The flight recorder: Replaying what an AI agent did on my SQL Server
By Arun Sirpal
“What exactly did it do on my server?” is the first question a DBA...
Announcements from the Microsoft Fabric Community Conference — Barcelona 2026
By James Serra
Microsoft shared a broad set of Fabric, Power BI, and SQL updates at FabCon...
Forums
Let's Talk Certifications
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Let's Talk Certifications
The Hidden Security Risks of Role Combination in SSAS Tabular
Comments posted to this topic are about the item The Hidden Security Risks of...
The Empty Aggregate
Comments posted to this topic are about the item The Empty Aggregate
Question of the Day
The Empty Aggregate
I have this table in a SQL Server 2025 database:
CREATE TABLE [dbo].[CustomerOrder] ( [OrderID] [int] NULL, [CustomerID] [int] NULL, [total] [money] NULL ) ON [PRIMARY] GOWhat is returned from this code? (answers are for the sum and then the count)
SELECT SUM(total) AS sum,
COUNT(total) AS count
FROM dbo.CustomerOrder;
See possible answers