How to Provision an Azure SQL Database
Aside from spinning up a SQL Server instance container, the free Azure SQL Database is another great tool for learning SQL. You can even use it for low-traffic or...
2026-07-30
21 reads
MarlonRibunal
- Twitter: @MarlonRibunal
- Website: https://marlonribunal.com
Restore SQL Server Database to an OrbStack Container
In the previous post, we've built a SQL Server 2025 sandbox in an OrbStack container in a Macbook. If you are like me who switched from a Windows laptop...
2026-07-29 (first published: 2026-07-20)
572 reads
Introducing azsql-migration-test: Test and Validate Azure SQL Database Migrations
Introducing azsql-migration-test, a small open-source CLI that validates your Azure SQL Database migrations against a local Azure SQL Database Developer container — the same engine as the cloud, running...
2026-07-26
36 reads
Do This Before You Contact Your SQL Server Consultant
Say you need outside help. You’ve exhausted all the things that you could do and, still, nothing works. So, you decide that calling in for help is the next...
2026-07-24 (first published: 2026-07-16)
447 reads
Getting Started with Azure SQL Developer on Macbook
The idea behind Azure SQL Developer is for anyone to build, iterate, and test locally at no cost. This means NO Azure subscription to deal with and NO credit...
2026-07-23
53 reads
Install SQL Server 2025 Container on macOS Using OrbStack
My old Dell XPS that I used for personal stuff started to degrade; well, it's old, and it has already served past its useful life. So, a few months...
2026-07-22 (first published: 2026-07-13)
185 reads
Reflections on the Life of a DBA
The DBA life is fraught with pain. Those battles that we endure are mostly invisible to many. Those countless sleepness nights are a testament to our dedication. Whether that...
2026-07-15 (first published: 2026-07-06)
579 reads
How to Set Up SQL Server 2025, Ollama and NGINX in Docker Without the Headaches
Ollama SQL FastStart kit just works out of the box. It makes it easy to spin the whole Docker Compose stack not in minutes but seconds! Continue reading →
The...
2025-11-14 (first published: 2025-10-27)
508 reads
How to Avoid Knowledge Stagnation
You want the short answer? Well, the only antidote to knowledge stagnation is probably embracing the habit of lifelong learning. For the long-winded answer, read on. Have you ever...
2025-09-24 (first published: 2025-09-04)
452 reads
Learning Database Design and Power BI Performance
I spend my days working on and managing SQL Server instances—working days at least, and sometimes even on non-working days. I’ve been working with SQL Server for years now,...
2025-01-08 (first published: 2024-12-24)
2,294 reads
Blogs
Programmatic Tool Calling with the Claude SDK
Programmatic Tool Calling with the Claude SDK Every morning somebody on the team runs the...
A New Word: Mauerbauertraurigkeit
By Steve Jones
mauerbauertraurigkeit – n. inexplicable urge to push people away, even close friends whose company...
Methodology for dealing with bad data in production
By Brian Kelley
Pinal Dave wrote up his methodology for what to do when you discover bad...
Forums
Why SQL Server Database Attach fails and how to repair it
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Why SQL Server Database Attach...
Fixing P1 Queries
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Fixing P1 Queries
BIT_COUNT() IV
Comments posted to this topic are about the item BIT_COUNT() IV
Question of the Day
BIT_COUNT() IV
In SQL Server 2025, I run this code:
select bit_count('A')
What is returned? See possible answers