James Serra

James works at Microsoft as a big data and data warehousing solution architect where he has been for most of the last nine years. He is a thought leader in the use and application of Big Data and advanced analytics, including data architectures such as the modern data warehouse, data lakehouse, data fabric, and data mesh. Previously he was an independent consultant working as a Data Warehouse/Business Intelligence architect and developer. He is a prior SQL Server MVP with over 35 years of IT experience. He is a popular blogger (JamesSerra.com) and speaker, having presented at dozens of major events including SQLBits, PASS Summit, Data Summit and the Enterprise Data World conference. He is the author of the book “Deciphering Data Architectures: Choosing Between a Modern Data Warehouse, Data Fabric, Data Lakehouse, and Data Mesh”.

Blog Post

Levels in IT consultancy

The Big 5 IT consulting companies (Accenture, Deloitte Consulting, PwC (formerly PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP), KPMG, Ernst & Young) have various titles given to consultants along...

2013-06-13

1,041 reads

Blog Post

SQL Server 2014!

Just when you thought you got a handle on SQL Server 2012, here comes the next version!  SQL Server 2014 was announced...

2013-06-07 (first published: )

6,958 reads

Blogs

A New Word: Etherness

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etherness – n. the wistful feeling of looking around a gathering of loved ones,...

Vibe Coding a Login Tracking System

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A customer was asking about tracking logins and logouts in Redgate Monitor. We don’t...

4 CPE Opportunity (Virtual) for Charity

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Every year, the South Carolina State Internal Auditors Association and the South Carolina Midlands...

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Forums

T-SQL in SQL Server 2025: The || Operator

By Steve Jones - SSC Editor

Comments posted to this topic are about the item T-SQL in SQL Server 2025:...

Your Value from a Conference

By Steve Jones - SSC Editor

Comments posted to this topic are about the item Your Value from a Conference

UNISTR Basics

By Steve Jones - SSC Editor

Comments posted to this topic are about the item UNISTR Basics

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Question of the Day

UNISTR Basics

What does this code return in SQL Server 2025+? (assume the database has an appropriate collation)

SELECT UNISTR('Hello 4E16754C') AS 'A Classic';
A:   B:  

See possible answers