A New Word: Flichtish
flichtish – adj. nervously aware how much of your self-image is based on untested assumptions about yourself – only ever guessing how you’d react to a violent thread, a...
2024-05-17
19 reads
Automating Container Image Builds with Docker Build Cloud and Github Actions
In a previous post we went through how to use Docker Build Cloud to remotely build a Docker container image from a Github repository. In that example, we kicked...
2024-06-03 (first published: 2024-05-17)
235 reads
The Ireland and UK DevOps Roadshow
We’re taking the roadshow across the water. Hope the plane makes it. The Redgate DevOps Roadshow comes to Ireland and the Northern UK in June. We’ll be in these...
2024-05-16
20 reads
SQL Aggregate Functions: Your Essential Guide & Cheat Sheet
SQL aggregate functions are your go-to tools for transforming raw data into actionable insights. They condense multiple rows into single, meaningful values, making it easier to grasp the big...
2024-05-15
349 reads
T-SQL Tuesday #174 – My Favorite Interview Question
This month is a great topic to me. I think growing and improving your career is a skill that most of us could improve, especially in our younger years....
2024-06-07 (first published: 2024-05-14)
639 reads
T-SQL Tuesday #174: Job Interview Questions
Once upon a time, I used to think of difficult technical questions to ask candidates for a DBA position. However, over time I came to understand that in most...
2024-06-07 (first published: 2024-05-14)
421 reads
Power BI: Refreshable Excel Files in PBI Service
Ever since Excel made its debut in the 1980’s, it has been used as a quick way for end users to input and manipulate data on their own without...
2024-06-03 (first published: 2024-05-14)
389 reads
T-SQL Tuesday #174: Your Favorite Job Interview Question
My blog has been quiet lately. I recently wrapped up a master’s program (more details on that soon, once the formal graduation is behind me) and have been immersed...
2024-05-31 (first published: 2024-05-14)
503 reads
Getting Error 64 When Trying To Connect to SQL Server or Azure
Often times when working with a client, I’ll run into issues or get emails from a client with a message like the following: A connection was successfully established with...
2024-05-14
29 reads
I like KQL and I like managing my test data – are they mates?
Test Data Management (TDM) is essential in software development to ensure your application runs smoothly and reliably across different environments. When deploying applications in Azure, Test Data Management can...
2024-05-29 (first published: 2024-05-13)
256 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