How to determine the last value used by a sequence in SQL Server
I’ve been a fan of sequences ever since they were added in SQL Server 2012. Prior to that, developers had a choice of IDENTITY columns or a roll-your-own table mechanism.
2026-04-06
Additional Articles
IDENTITY vs SEQUENCE in SQL Server – which should you use?
This guide explains how IDENTITY columns and SEQUENCE objects differ in SQL Server, and how you might decide which one is appropriate for a given design.
2026-04-03
How to migrate from on-prem to the cloud: uncovering legacy system ‘skeletons’
In this article, Pat Wright explains how to identify hidden risks in legacy applications before moving to the cloud. It features practical advice and guidance to avoid migration failures and surprises.
2026-04-01
SQL Server Data Warehouse Concepts, Schema Design, and Implementation
Companies generate a huge amount of data on a daily basis from such things as sales transactions, inventory changes, and customer interactions. This data originates from different data sources and is stored in operational databases called OLTP (Online Transaction Processing) systems that primary focuses on transactions like data inserts, updates or deletes. Maintaining the transactional data in an OLTP database is important. However, if you need to analyze or report on the data, storing the data in a centralized repository in well-structured schema is necessary.
2026-03-30
What’s New in SSIS 2025?
There’s a new version of SQL Server released and we’re mainly an on-premises SQL Server shop. We’ve been using Integration Services (SSIS) for years now for all our ETL and data integration needs. With Microsoft’s focus on cloud (Azure and Fabric), does it make sense to upgrade our SSIS packages? Are there any new features?
2026-03-27
What are database keys? A practical guide
There’s not much to database keys, right? When you build a new table, you add a column to act as the primary key, then set it to auto-generate. Done. That’s all there is to know…right?
2026-03-25
SQL Server Concurrency Issues with Parallel Query Plans
Parallelism can reduce concurrency. This is a strong reason not to allow SQL Server to execute queries aggressively in parallel mode. In this tip, I will set up a demo to show that parallelism reduces query performance on a server with high concurrency.
2026-03-23
Why disabling the SQL Server sa account still matters in 2026
Every few years, someone asks a familiar question: do we really still need to disable the sa account in SQL Server? After all, it’s 2026. SQL Server has better encryption, better auditing, better defaults, and more security features than ever before. Surely this old guidance belongs in the past?
2026-03-20
Query Hint Recommendation Tool in SSMS 22
SQL Server Management Studio keeps adding features, but unless you look you probably don’t notice. In this article, we look at the new Query Hint Recommendation Tool in SSMS 2022 and how this can be used.
2026-03-18
I’m Not Gonna Waste Time Debunking Crap on LinkedIn.
LinkedIn is full of absolute trash these days. Just flat out b****** garbage. (Oh yeah, that – this post should probably come with a language disclaimer, because this stuff makes me mad.)
2026-03-16
Blogs
Why your data still can’t answer a simple question
Every organization I talk to has the same problem dressed up in different clothes....
T-SQL Tuesday #197 Invitation – An impactful session or two from a conference
By DataOnWheels
I am delighted to host this month’s T-SQL Tuesday invitation. If you are new...
Did You Really Name That Default?
By alevyinroc
Ten years (and a couple jobs) ago, I wrote about naming default constraints to...
Forums
The day-to-day pressures of a DBA team, and how we can work smarter with automation and AI
Comments posted to this topic are about the item The day-to-day pressures of a...
CMS server query & temp tables
I am annoyed. We have a CMS server that has hundreds of servers saved...
The Problem Isn't Always Your Query or Schema... Sometimes It's Hidden Assumptions
Comments posted to this topic are about the item The Problem Isn't Always Your...
Question of the Day
Identity Defaults
What happens when I run this code?
CREATE TABLE dbo.IdentityTest
(
id int IDENTITY(10) PRIMARY KEY,
somevalue VARCHAR(20)
)
GO
See possible answers