You know you shouldn't have production data in test environments. But every time you look at fixing it, the options feel impossible: enterprise tools that cost six figures and take months to implement, or DIY scripts that sort of work until they don't. Join this webinar on Mar 18 to learn more.
2026-03-16 (first published: 2026-03-09)
This is part of a look back at the history of SQL Server Central as a part of our 25-year celebration in Feb 2026. "They want how much?" That was a question I got from Andy one afternoon as we discussed how we were going to manage the growth of SQL Server Central. I had […]
2026-02-06
2,208 reads
Continuing with Steve Jones series on string manipulation, this article looks at an interesting facet of the SELECT operator.
2026-02-05 (first published: 2001-07-04)
8,943 reads
Continuing Steve Jones' series on string manipulation in T-SQL, this article examines how quotations are handled in T-SQL.
2026-02-05 (first published: 2004-03-25)
9,093 reads
Steve Jones continues his series on string manipulation. This articles examines the issues of quotes when implementing dynamic SQL.
2026-02-05 (first published: 2002-04-04)
7,700 reads
2026-02-04 (first published: 2026-02-03)
101 reads
In this article by Steve Jones, he shows you how to manipulate strings.
2026-02-04 (first published: 2004-04-05)
17,809 reads
Expanding on his series of string manipulation in T-SQL, Steve Jones takes a look at how you go about removing those unseen characters from your strings.
2026-02-04 (first published: 2007-02-13)
12,917 reads
The second part of Steve Jones's series on programming and manipulating strings in T-SQL.
2026-02-04 (first published: 2002-05-31)
15,722 reads
The third part of Steve Jones's series on programming and manipulating strings in T-SQL dealing with REPLACE.
2026-02-04 (first published: 2001-04-18)
17,202 reads
By Steve Jones
I come to Heathrow often. Today is likely somewhere close to 60 trips to...
By Brian Kelley
If your organization is spending money, then meaningful results are a must. Pen testing...
I’m starting a webinar series about SQL Server indexing with the fine folks of...
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Restoring On Top II
Comments posted to this topic are about the item SQL Art 2: St Patrick’s...
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Breaking Down Your Work
I have a database, DNRTest, that has a number of tables and other objects in it. The other day, I was trying to mock up a test and ran this code on the same server:
-- run yesterday CREATE DATABASE DNRTest2 GO USE DNRTest2 GO CREATE TABLE NewTable (id INT) GOToday, I realize that I need a copy of DNRTest for another mockup, and I run this:
-- run today USE Master BACKUP DATABASE DNRTest TO DISK = 'dnrtest.bak' GO RESTORE DATABASE DNRTest2 FROM DISK = 'dnrtest.bak' WITH REPLACEWhat happens? See possible answers