The End of SQL Server 2019
Steve has a few thoughts after the end of mainstream support for SQL Server 2019.
2025-03-26
868 reads
Patching
How Do You Patch 100 Database Servers?
The challenges of managing lots of system are significant and there aren't easy solutions, but Steve has a few thoughts on what you can do.
2024-11-18
256 reads
2024-05-29
295 reads
The Case for Patching
Recently I was testing a feature in SQL Server on 2017 and 2019. There was supposed to be an improvement across versions, but I didn't see it. Then I realized that I was on SQL Server 2019 CU 2 on my laptop, and the current CU is 17. I took a few minutes to download […]
2022-08-20
153 reads
A New SQL Server Vulnerability
A new vulnerability for SQL Server is covered by a number of patches this week.
2022-06-18
746 reads
The Challenge of Edge Security
We will see databases deployed on the edge, and we will need strong security patches.
2021-12-20
298 reads
The Last SQL Server Service Pack
SQL Server 2016 SP3, the last service pack ever is out. Steve comments on how the world of software patches has changed.
2021-10-08
544 reads
Patching Challenges
Having a patching strategy for your systems is important, and Steve notes that you ought to be organized and allow for some flexibility when designing one.
2021-06-30
346 reads
2021-04-10
123 reads
SQL Server Database engine patching
This script can install Service pack, security patch and Cumulative update on SQL instance(Database Engine).
2020-05-26 (first published: 2020-05-19)
1,797 reads
Blogs
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...
SQL Server 2025 CU1 Fixes the Docker Desktop AVX Issue on macOS
Microsoft fixed the AVX instruction issue in SQL Server 2025 CU1. The container now...
Forums
25 Years of SQL Server Central
Comments posted to this topic are about the item 25 Years of SQL Server...
The Decoded Value
Comments posted to this topic are about the item The Decoded Value
Deploying SQL Server Developer Edition in Kubernetes: A Cost-Effective Alternative to RDS
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Deploying SQL Server Developer Edition...
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