Although SQL Server Data Tools (SSDT) encourages 'disconnected' database development, it also provides the SQL Server Object Explorer (SSOX) tool in SSDT’s Visual Studio shell to connect to a live development instance or view an SSDT project once all references have been resolved.
2016-02-26
3,520 reads
Defining unique records in an Oracle table is necessary for employee data, and manufacturing part numbers and user names, to name a couple of examples. David Fitzjarrell looks at the various ways uniqueness can be defined, and which method may not be acceptable to third-party applications.
2016-02-26
386 reads
It’s easy to get caught up in daily incidents, tickets, and special projects. Like a good scout, though, a core task in a DBA’s job is to be prepared.
2016-02-25
7,615 reads
Today Steve Jones looks at the security enhancements in SQL Server 2016
2016-02-24
173 reads
Koen Verbeeck looks at how to embed data visualizations created with R into Reporting Services (SSRS) reports.
2016-02-24
3,902 reads
Have you ever longed for a way of making the delivery of databases more visible, predictable and measurable? Do you ever wish that they would be of better quality, quicker to change, and cost less? Grant Fritchey explains some of the secrets of doing Continuous Integration for Databases to relieve some of the pain-points of the Database Delivery process.
2016-02-23
4,082 reads
Greg Larsen explores the different ways that you can encrypt your existing confidential data using Always Encrypted Columns in SQL Server 2016.
2016-02-22
4,069 reads
This article gives an overview of the Microsoft Azure SQL Data Warehouse architecture. The new platform-as-a service (PaaS) offering provides independent compute and storage scaling on demand and is currently in public preview.
2016-02-19
4,066 reads
The whole point of using a cloud service is to be able to use it intensively for a brief period just when it is needed and then clear out all your work when you've finished. This means automation to make the process as quick and easy as possible. It is likely to mean creating a VM, provisioning it from scratch and spinning it up using PowerShell. Relax, grab the popcorn, and let Adam Bertram show you how he does it in Azure.
2016-02-18
5,142 reads
Arshad Ali demonstrates what the APPLY operator is, how it differs from regular JOINs, and what its applications are.
2016-02-17
7,571 reads
By Arun Sirpal
Transaction log issues are one of the quietest ways a healthy database turns into...
By Steve Jones
I wrote earlier this week about the SQL MCP Server using the Data API...
By Brian Kelley
Yesterday, July 27, 2026, Microsoft announced a new cybersecurity effort called Project Perception. Included...
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Symmetric Key Encryption
Comments posted to this topic are about the item The “Successful Login” Dilemma: Why...
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Building Your Own Software
If I run this statement in SQL Server 2025, how is the password encrypted?
CREATE SYMMETRIC KEY MySymmetricKey WITH ALGORITHM = AES_256, KEY_SOURCE = 'My secret key source passphrase', IDENTITY_VALUE = 'My secret identity value' ENCRYPTION BY PASSWORD = 'S&perS#cretP@ssword7'; GOSee possible answers