New blogger: Jamie Wick
New SQL blogger
Jamie at the 45th Parallel (South) – New Zealand
This post is just a quick shout-out. My friend and co-leader...
2018-06-15
336 reads
A Discussion of SQL Server-Related Topics
Removing the time element from a datetime
Killing Time – or removing the time element from a datetime
Over the course of time, we all collect scripts and routines...
2018-06-07
2,042 reads
Removing servers from the SSMS connection dialog (Day 36)
One of the things that you will no doubt end up experiencing as a DBA is that you will see...
2018-05-16
1,636 reads
SSMS: Batch Separator (Day 35)
SSMS (and other SQL Server utilities) utilize a batch separator to, well, separate batches of T-SQL statements. Before we go...
2018-04-18
2,038 reads
Checking for temporary table existence
Database Code Smells
I was recently reviewing a newly created T-SQL stored procedure. This procedure was verifying temporary table existence with...
2018-04-11
2,052 reads
Primary Replica Jobs
This post talks about having primary replica jobs. That is, jobs that will only run on the primary replica of...
2018-04-02
954 reads
Working with tabs and spaces in SSMS (Day 34)
There are several different options available for working with tabs and spaces in SSMS. In fact, there are enough that...
2018-03-29 (first published: 2018-03-21)
2,943 reads
Using the Full Screen Mode in SSMS (Day 33)
Do you ever find yourself working on a query and realize that you need just a bit more real estate...
2018-02-28
541 reads
Using a gMSA with SQL Server
As you already know, SQL Server runs as a service. And services require a service account to run under. While...
2018-03-02 (first published: 2018-02-19)
17,052 reads
Connecting to a SQL Server instance – Back to Basics
Back to the SQL Server Basics with Wayne
Connecting to a SQL Server instance is one of the first things that...
2018-02-19 (first published: 2018-02-07)
2,877 reads
Blogs
PowerPoint to HTML with Claude AI
By Steve Jones
I had an idea for an animated view of a sales tool, and started...
Don’t Miss Out – SQL Server Query Tuning Fundamentals Starts Next Monday!
Next Monday, February 9, 2026, my one-day live online training SQL Server Query Tuning...
Monday Monitor Tips: SQL Auditing Preview
By Steve Jones
One of the features we advocates have been advocating for is a better way...
Forums
Delta Lake: The Definitive Guide: Modern Data Lakehouse Architectures with Data Lakes
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Delta Lake: The Definitive Guide:...
Databricks Data Intelligence Platform: Unlocking the GenAI Revolution
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Databricks Data Intelligence Platform: Unlocking...
Storytelling with Data: Let's Practice!
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Storytelling with Data: Let's Practice!
Question of the Day
The Decoded Value
In SQL Server 2025, what is returned from this code:
DECLARE @message VARCHAR(50) = 'Hello SQL Server 2025!'; DECLARE @encoded VARCHAR(MAX); SET @encoded = BASE64_ENCODE(CAST(@message AS VARBINARY(1000))); SELECT BASE64_DECODE(@encoded)See possible answers