Improve Query Performance in the Fabric Warehouse with Clustering
Learn how to improve performance issues in Microsoft Fabric Warehouse and leverage cloud-based data analytics effectively.
2026-05-18
Additional Articles
When, and when not, to use LLMs in your data pipeline
LLMs should be used in data pipelines for unstructured text, semantic search, and natural language queries – but avoided for deterministic, high-volume, or regulated tasks. Drawing on my real-world experience building large-scale ML systems, in this guide I’ll explain exactly where LLMs belong in your data pipeline and, just as importantly, where they don’t.
2026-05-15
There Are Days When I Feel Like Giving Up on the Plan Cache and Query Store.
In theory, SQL Server performance monitoring is pretty simple: 1. Review the server’s top wait types, 2. Find the queries causing those wait types, 3. Fix those queries, or improve the way the server reacts to them (indexes, settings, etc.). But in practice, step 2 is awful because:
2026-05-13
SOFTMAX Function in SQL Server
Explore the mechanics of the SOFTMAX function in SQL Server. Transform scores into probabilities with this essential tool.
2026-05-11
Can SQL Server 2025’s REGEXP_SPLIT_TO_TABLE fix STRING_SPLIT in T-SQL?
Learn how to split strings efficiently in T-SQL using STRING_SPLIT and the REGEXP_SPLIT_TO_TABLE function in SQL Server 2025.
2026-05-08
SQL Server Table-Valued Parameter Join Issues in Stored Procedures
Learn how table valued parameter joins in SQL Server stored procedures can negatively impact query performance.
2026-05-06
How to pass Microsoft certification exams: tips and guidance
In my previous article, I discussed how to prepare for Microsoft certification exams. In this article, I’m covering what you should do when actually taking the exams.
2026-05-04
Net Present Value and Internal Rate of Return in SQL Server
Many organizations store cash-flow data inside SQL Server and decision-makers often need metrics like Net Present Value (NPV) and Internal Rate of Return (IRR) to evaluate those cash flows. Is it possible to calculate NPV and IIR values in SQL Server without the use of external tools?
2026-05-01
How Multi-Column Statistics Work
The short answer: in the real world, only the first column works. When SQL Server needs data about the second column, it builds its own stats on that column instead (assuming they don’t already exist), and uses those two statistics together – but they’re not really correlated.
2026-04-29
Microsoft On-Premises Data Gateway Administration
As a Microsoft Fabric Administrator, you have the responsibility to manage all the Microsoft Enterprise gateways installed and deployed across your entire data estate.
2026-04-27
Blogs
AI Experiments: Parsing Payment Memos
By Steve Jones
As part of my running the SQL Saturday charitable foundation, I get sponsorship money...
5 Starter Projects for Your AI and Data Engineering Portfolio
Reading tutorials is fine. Shipping something is better. If you are trying to break...
The Book of Redgate: Taking Breaks
By Steve Jones
We work hard at Redgate, though with a good work-life balance. One interesting observation...
Forums
Displaying Money
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Displaying Money
The Slow Growing Problems
Comments posted to this topic are about the item The Slow Growing Problems
Calculating the Harmonic Mean in Power BI
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Calculating the Harmonic Mean in...
Question of the Day
Displaying Money
I want to get the currency sign displayed with my amount stored in a money type. Does this work?
DECLARE @Amount MONEY; SET @Amount = '?1500'; SELECT CAST( @Amount AS VARCHAR(30)) AS EurosSee possible answers