A Simple Method to Load Excel Data
Learn how a C# script can easily load data from Excel into SQL Server.
2024-01-15
6,926 reads
Articles
Eager Aggregation in SQL queries
Aggregation is a widely used way to summarize the content of a database. It is usually expressed with GROUP BY clause or just using aggregate functions (like COUNT or SUM). When the database engine executes a query with aggregations, it produces individual rows need to compute the required output and then performs the aggregation as (almost) last step. We discuss in this article how to re-write a query manually so that the order of operations will be different and when it can be beneficial.
2024-01-15
Dimensional Modelling Case Study Part 1 - Age Group
Learn how you can handle dimensional modeling in a data warehouse when your data uses different categorization for ages.
2024-01-12
2,979 reads
Counting more efficiently
Nearly a decade ago, I wrote a post called “Bad habits : Counting rows the hard way.” In that post, I talked about how we can use SQL Server’s metadata to instantly retrieve the row count for a table.
2024-01-12
Adding Cookie Consent to SQL Server Central
We are adding a consent form to the SQL Server Central website to allow our cookies.
2024-01-10
1,409 reads
An In-Depth Look at MIXED_PAGE_ALLOCATION and Changes in Page Allocation
Learn about the benefits of mixed extent allocation in SQL Server 2016, along with how you can check this setting or enable it in your database.
2024-01-10
1,968 reads
Connecting SQL Server to SaaS applications with a Linked Server
But nowadays, most services are in the cloud. They're not on your servers; they're somewhere else. With most software-as-a-service (SAAS) offerings, you don't have many options to configure connectivity. What if you need data from one SaaS service into another?
2024-01-10
Getting Started with Azure Data Studio
Azure Data Studio (ADS) is a cross platform query tool for SQL Server. Learn how to get started using ADS to work with your SQL Server instances.
2024-01-09 (first published: 2019-03-04)
8,037 reads
Using Azure Data Studio with Git
In this article, we will examine how to use Azure Data Studio with a git repository for storing code.
2024-01-09 (first published: 2019-05-14)
10,435 reads
Always On Availability Groups Troubleshooting and Monitoring Guide
This guide helps you get started on troubleshooting some of the common issues in AlwaysOn Availability Groups and monitoring AlwaysOn Availability Groups. It is intended to provide original content as well as a landing page of useful information that is already published elsewhere.
2024-01-09 (first published: 2021-08-25)
Blogs
KDA: Echoes of Deception - Case 7
By Zikato
A fugitive cyber-criminal, a wingsuit, and 24 million flight records. Somewhere between Doha and...
Do This Before You Contact Your SQL Server Consultant
Say you need outside help. You’ve exhausted all the things that you could do...
Microsoft MVP 2026: Ten Years on the Data Platform
I’m honored to announce that I’ve been renewed as a Microsoft MVP for the...
Forums
Implicit Conversions Cripple SQL Server
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Implicit Conversions Cripple SQL Server
BIT_COUNT() III
Comments posted to this topic are about the item BIT_COUNT() III
The Mythical Bus Accident
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Question of the Day
BIT_COUNT() III
In SQL Server 2025, I run this code:
select bit_count(-1)What is returned? See possible answers