Memories of Andrew Clarke, by Simon Galbraith
Simon Galbraith, co-founder of Redgate and one of the creators of Simple Talk, remembers Andrew Clarke
2025-10-24
Articles
DIY Database Clones
This article explores the 'shadow copy' and 'disk virtualization' services built into the Windows operating system and explains a basic solution demonstrating how the technology is used to copy the data and log files for a live SQL Server database into an 'image', from which we can create multiple, lightweight copies, or clones, of the original database.
2025-10-22 (first published: 2021-04-29)
6,082 reads
Why Indexes are Important Beyond Faster Execution of Queries
Learn how indexes can help you with more than just querying data.
2025-10-22
16,172 reads
SQL EXISTS Use Cases and Examples
I’ve seen the SQL EXISTS keyword in Microsoft SQL Server T-SQL code and don’t understand it well. What does it do? How do I use it? Are there best practices around SQL IF EXISTS?
2025-10-22
Database Ledger in SQL Server 2022
Learn how ledger databases and ledger tables work in SQL Server 2022.
2025-10-20
15,185 reads
Mastering SQL VIEWs: Syntax, Use Cases, and Best Practices
VIEWs are an undervalued and underused feature in SQL. They basically consist of a query that has been given a name, and a parameter list, so can be used like an inline macro. Technically, you’re supposed to think of it as a virtual table.
2025-10-20
Building a RESTful API with FastAPI and PostgreSQL
This article shows how to use Python to create a REST API for your application that developers can use to access the database.
2025-10-17
4,908 reads
T‑SQL BULK INSERT vs OPENROWSET: CSV Imports, File Access Gotchas, and A PowerShell Script
Most SQL bulk insert and SQL Server openrowset tutorials skip file access issues that can stop imports cold. Both the bulk insert statement and openrowset function rely on the SQL Server service account to read a source file. The SQL Server service account must have read permission on the file or its folder. It is also convenient to have read & execute as well as list folder content permissions.
2025-10-17
No, Accelerated Database Recovery Doesn’t Fix NOLOCK.
I have never seen a T-SQL feature that people love as much as NOLOCK.
2025-10-15
Migrate SSRS Reports to a New Server in Just a Few Clicks
Learn how to migrate SSRS reports to a new server using SSRS Reports Migration Wizard. Step-by-step guide to move reports, data sources, and datasets in just a few clicks.
2025-10-13
4,152 reads
Blogs
Getting SQL Server 2025 RTM Running in Containers on macOS
SQL Server 2025 RTM is here, and if you’re running Docker on macOS, you...
The PASS Data Community Summit 2025 Recap
By Steve Jones
It’s Monday. I’ve been home since Fri night, but with a busy weekend, I’m...
Microsoft Post-Quantum Crypto APIs Are Now Generally Available
By Brian Kelley
I mentioned this in my talk on Quantum Computing at the PASS Data Community...
Forums
The Ending Substring
Comments posted to this topic are about the item The Ending Substring
Done is Better than Good
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Done is Better than Good,...
Configuring the On-Premises Data Gateway: The Fabric Modern Data Platform
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Configuring the On-Premises Data Gateway:...
Question of the Day
The Ending Substring
In Azure SQL Database and SQL Server 2025, if I run this, what is returned?
SELECT '[' + SUBSTRING('Steve Jones', 7) + ']' See possible answers