Dynamic Data Masking is an exciting new feature in SQL Server 2016, allowing DBAs to centrally set a mask that is returned for a table column instead of the actual data, limiting what information is returned to certain users in a consistent and reliable way. What’s more, Redgate SQL Compare safely and reliably handles your DDM changes. Data Platform MVP Steve Jones explains more.
2016-07-21
3,492 reads
Rob Farley looks at information exposed in query plans about residual predicates and actual rows read, showing how Plan Explorer helps identify the issue.
2016-07-20
3,121 reads
Although it is well-known that the best efforts of a development team can be derailed by mistakes in the architecture, design and general governance of a development project, few attempts have been made to describe what needs to be done to increase the chances of success in the development of a database application. William Brewer steps into the breach to itemise what a delivery team needs to succeed.
2016-07-19
4,978 reads
You work in a shop that puts business or application logic in SQL Server using stored procedures, views and functions to return values to the calling applications or perform tasks. This is not unusual for companies that use the SQL Server layer to perform
2016-07-18
3,614 reads
Over recent months, Redgate’s development teams have been busy updating the tools in the SQL Toolbelt to support the valuable new functionality released with SQL Server 2016. To achieve this, most tools now support the syntax for SQL Server 2016’s key features, letting you do even more with them. Learn mor.
2016-07-18
3,566 reads
For this month's T-SQL Tuesday, Rob Farley takes a look at a couple of unexpected aspects of query plans you might observe when using Temporal Tables in SQL Server 2016.
2016-07-15
3,095 reads
Moving data into SQL Server is something that most DBAs or Developers are faced with probably on a daily basis. In this article, Greg Robidoux explores the various options for doing so.
2016-07-13
4,355 reads
Rob Gravelle demonstrates a sure-fire way to calculate how much disk space your MySQL data entities are taking up.
2016-07-12
2,667 reads
It is relatively easy to provide a smart BI solution when your customer has all the resources for a new hardware and software platform, but it takes ingenuity to provide an effective simple solution requiring data-driven pictorial information on a range of template diagrams with just an existing platform of SQL Server, Reporting Services and .NET.
2016-07-11
3,618 reads
Every DBA squirrels away favourite queries for monitoring SQL Server. Nowadays many of these are too complex to keep in your head. Dennes describes how he uses T-SQL queries for solving problems, whether it involves fixing the problems of missing indexes, preventing unrestrained autogrowth, avoiding index fragmentation, checking whether jobs have failed or avoiding memory stress conditions.
2016-07-08
10,110 reads
By Brian Kelley
During COVID, I attended training on software/enterprise architecture given by Mark Richards. One of...
For me, the objective is straightforward: have a backup strategy that is reliable, understandable,...
By DesertDBA
Note: This post is the invitation for T-SQL Tuesday #204 on November 3rd, 2026....
Comments posted to this topic are about the item The ##MS_DatabaseConnector## User
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Planning for Change
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Importing Excel files into SQL...
On SQL Server 2025, I run this code as a sysadmin:
CREATE LOGIN Demo WITH PASSWORD = 'Demo1234567' GO ALTER SERVER ROLE ##MS_DatabaseConnector## ADD MEMBER Demo GOI then login as Demo and run this:
USE sandbox go SELECT CURRENT_USERWhat is returned? See possible answers