Introduction to GitHub Actions Part 2: GitHub-hosted runners
In this article, you’ll learn about the many options for using a GitHub-hosted runner, including Docker.
2025-05-23
Articles
SQL STRING_AGG Function Use and Examples
The STRING_AGG function concatenates strings separated by a specified separator. This was introduced with SQL Server 2017.
2025-05-21
Helpful Management Studio Settings and Features
Learn a few tips and tricks to make your work with SSMS much more efficient and helpful.
2025-05-19
5,693 reads
Securing the DevOps Pipeline Part 2: Hardening Kubernetes and Cloud Security
In Part 2, we shift our focus to securing containerized deployments and cloud infrastructure. We will cover Kubernetes security hardening, real-time monitoring, infrastructure as code (IaC) security, and shifting security left to catch misconfigurations early. These strategies will help your team secure workloads in production and respond to potential threats before they lead to a security breach.
2025-05-19
How to Safely Remove a SQL Server Data File Without Downtime
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
3,130 reads
SQL ASCII Function Use and Examples
The ASCII function is used to return the ASCII value for the first character in a string.
2025-05-16
Your SQL Server Needs Spring Cleaning, Too.
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
Data Analyst AI tool
See how ChatGPT can be used to analyze a dataset, produce charts, and train a model.
2025-05-12
410 reads
Evaluating the Randomness of SQL Server Random Number Functions
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
Date and Time Calculations Made Easy with EOMONTH, DATEDIFF, and DATEADD
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
3,712 reads
Blogs
TRY_PARSE Limitations: #SQLNewBlogger
By Steve Jones
I got a notification from a question I’d posted at SQL Server Central: Getting...
SQL Server sa Account Security: Rename, Disable & Best Practices
By SQLPals
SQL Server sa Account Security: Rename, Disable & Best Practices In...
Stanford Emerging Technology Review 2026 Report is out
By Brian Kelley
Artificial Intelligence and quantum computing are two areas of emerging technology that receive most...
Forums
Are You Working More Hours?
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Stairway to Reliable Database Deployments Level 6 – Managing Changesets Over Time
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A Limited Startup
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Question of the Day
A Limited Startup
I add this parameter to SQL Server 2025 in the Configuration Manager:
-mDynamicsWhat does this do? See possible answers