SSMS Quick Tip
Today’s quick tip is for SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS). From time to time when I’m speaking I’ll get a question on how I pulled up help for a...
2020-05-14 (first published: 2020-04-30)
987 reads
Confessions of a Microsoft Addict
Tech Chat with a Microsoft MVP Data Platform
I figured it would be nice to start up a weekly chat while everyone is on lock down. If it goes well I’m up to make this a regular...
2020-04-16
29 reads
It’s 2020, Do I really need to DBCC CHECKDB?
I’ll start by saying that I swear I posted this at some point in the past but I don’t see it looking back at old posts. This is from...
2020-04-27 (first published: 2020-04-15)
1,540 reads
Database classifications have changed
Some time back I wrote about the new data classification features in Azure and SQL Server Management Studio. If you’ve done quite a bit of work classifying your data...
2020-04-24 (first published: 2020-04-11)
996 reads
Deploy BACPAC to Azure Managed Instance failing from SSMS?
Recently I ran into an error when trying to copy a small database bacpac into an Azure Managed Instance. It’s said that SSMS is able to do this task....
2020-04-16 (first published: 2020-04-03)
286 reads
Azure Data Studio extension – help wanted
I’ve created a sample ads extension that checks TSQL syntax in real-time for potential bad practice. Right now the extension is using regex, which isn’t the best for parsing...
2020-02-13
74 reads
Quick tip: Quickly bulk edit lines in SSMS
Have you ever needed to bulk edit a table from excel to change it into a group of insert statements or change multiple query lines? In SQL Server Management...
2020-02-12
3,995 reads
Why is the XLOCK table hint broken?
Let’s talk about what XLOCK is supposed to do. XLOCK is a table hint that can be applied to a query to place an exclusive lock on the resources...
2020-02-20 (first published: 2020-02-12)
456 reads
Taking a gamble on Azure Data Studio Notebooks
If you’re a data professional or application developer chances are you’ve run into Microsoft SQL Server once or twice. I would think that the majority of SQL Server professionals...
2019-05-30
89 reads
I’ve added data classifications. Now what?
About a year ago I wrote about a new feature in SSMS that allows you to add a data classification...
2019-03-08 (first published: 2019-02-20)
2,539 reads
Blogs
A New Word: Etherness
By Steve Jones
etherness – n. the wistful feeling of looking around a gathering of loved ones,...
Vibe Coding a Login Tracking System
By Steve Jones
A customer was asking about tracking logins and logouts in Redgate Monitor. We don’t...
4 CPE Opportunity (Virtual) for Charity
By Brian Kelley
Every year, the South Carolina State Internal Auditors Association and the South Carolina Midlands...
Forums
T-SQL in SQL Server 2025: The || Operator
Comments posted to this topic are about the item T-SQL in SQL Server 2025:...
Your Value from a Conference
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Your Value from a Conference
UNISTR Basics
Comments posted to this topic are about the item UNISTR Basics
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