Database Weekly

SQLServerCentral Editorial

Document yourself out of a job

  • Editorial

Some organizations have policies in place to make sure that everything in their IT infrastructure is documented. There are runbooks, procedures, wikis, diagrams, charts, code comments, and more to make sure that knowledge is available if an employee leaves or when disaster strikes. Not only does the documentation exist, but it’s also organized and easy […]

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2022-04-09

212 reads

SQLServerCentral Editorial

SQLBits Report

  • Editorial

Last week I attended my first in-person event in over two years. SQLBits, the largest data platform conference in Europe, was a hybrid event and marked the first time many of us met in person in ages. It was a huge success as folks from around the world gathered to learn...and celebrate! I heard several […]

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2022-03-19

102 reads

SQLServerCentral Editorial

Please include your DDL

  • Editorial

I haven’t done it much the past few years, but I would answer some programming questions posted in forums back in the day. In the late 90s, I answered Visual Basic questions and eventually switched to SQL Server questions here on SQL Server Central as my career progressed. Answering questions not only assisted someone else, […]

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2022-02-05

113 reads

SQLServerCentral Editorial

T-SQL Requires the Right Approach

  • Editorial

Some of the most problematic T-SQL code I’ve seen over the years originated because the developer approached T-SQL with techniques more suitable for developing applications. I often saw these issues in my consulting days and always took the opportunity to teach the customer instead of only fixing the problems. One reason is that SQL is […]

(2)

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2022-01-15

215 reads

SQLServerCentral Editorial

Education to solve the tech skills shortage

  • Editorial

I’ve been teaching T-SQL to groups of students since 2014 at the non-profit LaunchCode in St. Louis. LaunchCode provides free tech training, paid apprenticeships, and career support to hundreds of people who have the ability and interest but not always the opportunity to land tech careers. For example, not having a college degree can eliminate […]

(1)

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2021-12-31

401 reads

SQLServerCentral Editorial

One to many SQL Server books

  • Editorial

Back in the late 90s, I had one large book on my desk with everything I needed – or thought I needed -- to know about SQL Server. It covered T-SQL, installation, backups, security, and more. Over the years, Microsoft has added components like SQL Server Integration Services and features like windowing functions and improved […]

(3)

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2021-12-11

375 reads

SQLServerCentral Editorial

PASS Data Community Summit 2021 Report

  • Editorial

The 2021 virtual PASS Data Community Summit was held from November 8th through the 12th. PASS Summit has always been the biggest yearly conference for database professionals, and this year’s virtual conference had over 18,000 individuals registered! If you signed up for the event, you may now stream the sessions on-demand. This is an exclusive […]

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2021-11-20

351 reads

SQLServerCentral Editorial

Do presenting and writing really matter?

  • Editorial

I’m sure you’ve heard the adage that people are more afraid of public speaking than they are of death. On the other hand, some folks can’t get enough public speaking and look forward to opportunities to get up in front of a group and talk. Writing is not so scary since it’s a solitary activity, […]

(2)

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2021-10-30

208 reads

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Forums

T-SQL in SQL Server 2025: The || Operator

By Steve Jones - SSC Editor

Comments posted to this topic are about the item T-SQL in SQL Server 2025:...

Your Value from a Conference

By Steve Jones - SSC Editor

Comments posted to this topic are about the item Your Value from a Conference

UNISTR Basics

By Steve Jones - SSC Editor

Comments posted to this topic are about the item UNISTR Basics

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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