Dreaming
It’s easy to get so busy with life you forget to dream, at least for me. Most of us have...
2011-09-16
708 reads
Blog Posts
Import Data from AS400 to SQL Server
The process to import data from AS400 uses a SQL Server Linked server. The Linked Server points to an ODBC...
2011-09-16
17,147 reads
St. Louis SQL Server Users Group Feedback
You know I share what feedback I get from conferences. I don’t usually get feedback from users groups (well, I...
2011-09-16
864 reads
Ways to save money on Microsoft Software
If you are a developer and are on your own, or working for a company that does not have an...
2011-09-16
957 reads
Analytic Functions – FIRST_VALUE / LAST_VALUE
This post is part of the series discussing the new Analytic functions in SQL Server “Denali”, CTP3.
Analytic Functions in SQL...
2011-09-15
4,040 reads
PowerShell for the Easily Frustrated N00b, or, “A Simple and Useful Command”
The stupid, stupid Windows search (Start Menu > Search) doesn’t work on one of my computers (running WinXP Pro). Yes, I made...
2011-09-15
486 reads
Probe Residual on Hash Match
I have to say, I only recently noticed this on a tool tip:
and this in the property sheet:
The bad news...
2011-09-15
1,692 reads
SELECT COUNT(*) vs COUNT(1) vs COUNT(ColumnName)
What is the difference between COUNT(*), COUNT(1) and COUNT(ColumnName)? A mystery that will never be known… ok that was a...
2011-09-15
13,149 reads
ColoradoSQL in September
All ColoradoSQL user group meetings start at 5:30 p.m. and provide food and refreshments. There is no cost to attend...
2011-09-14
589 reads
How pure is your data?
It was a normal Monday. I was going over some HA designs and planning the joys of setting up log...
2011-09-14
2,324 reads
Blogs
Microsoft announces new cybersecurity AI multi-model
By Brian Kelley
Yesterday, July 27, 2026, Microsoft announced a new cybersecurity effort called Project Perception. Included...
Getting the SQL Server MCP Server Running
By Steve Jones
If you’ve wanted a SQL Server MCP server for your databases, it’s available. The...
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...
Forums
Symmetric Key Encryption
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Symmetric Key Encryption
The “Successful Login” Dilemma: Why Your Login Auditing Strategy Might Be Hurting Your Server
Comments posted to this topic are about the item The “Successful Login” Dilemma: Why...
Building Your Own Software
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Building Your Own Software
Question of the Day
Symmetric Key Encryption
If I run this statement in SQL Server 2025, how is the password encrypted?
CREATE SYMMETRIC KEY MySymmetricKey WITH ALGORITHM = AES_256, KEY_SOURCE = 'My secret key source passphrase', IDENTITY_VALUE = 'My secret identity value' ENCRYPTION BY PASSWORD = 'S&perS#cretP@ssword7'; GOSee possible answers