The Code Freeze
Today Steve discusses code freezes, those times when you don't allow changes to be made by developers.
SQL Server Plan Cache Bloat Performance Impacts
Learn about the SQL Server plan cache and how SQL Server caches query plans, and the potential of plan cache bloat which could impact performance.
Joining Queries in Azure Data Factory on Cosmos DB Sources
This article shows how you can use two Cosmos DB dataets in Azure Data Factory and join them on a common column.
Option Recompile is a Magic Turbo Button That Actually Works.
Guy Glantser is an Israeli SQL Server guru with a ton of great presentations on YouTube. I’ve had the privilege of hanging out with him in person a bunch of times over the year, and I’ll always get excited to do it again. He’s not just smart, but he’s friendly and funny as hell.
To Each Their Own
I recently came back from a trip to Las Vegas. I was privileged to be able to take part in the very first Fabric Community Conference. It was a great event, well attended. BUT... It was in Las Vegas. I am not a fan. First of all, Vegas is just far too noisy for me. […]
SQL Server Patching Using PowerShell DSC
In this article, learn how to use the PowerShell DSC to patch your SQL Server instances.
When is it time for a new job?
Steve asks the question today about when you might think about changing employers. He has some advice for you, whether you're happy or in need of a new position.
Introduction to Python including Installation, Jupyter Notebooks and Visual Studio Code
In this step-by-step article, learn how to quickly install Python and start writing Python code using Jupyter Notebooks or Visual Studio Code.
Stairway to Advanced T-SQL Level 3: Understanding Common Table Expressions (CTEs)
A CTE is a temporary result set defined by a simple query, and is used within the execution scope of a single INSERT, UPDATE, DELETE, or SELECT statement. In this article we will explore how to define and use CTE's.
Blogs
Advice I Like: In 100 Years
By Steve Jones
In 100 years a lot of what we take to be true now will...
RANK() vs DENSE_RANK(): #SQLNewBlogger
By Steve Jones
I haven’t done one of these in awhile, but I saw an article recently...
Forums
Missing the Jaro Winkler Distance
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Missing the Jaro Winkler Distance
25 Years Later: What SQLServerCentral Meant to Me
Comments posted to this topic are about the item 25 Years Later: What SQLServerCentral...
Doing Good at SQL Server Central
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Doing Good at SQL Server...
Question of the Day
Missing the Jaro Winkler Distance
I upgraded a SQL Server 2019 instance to SQL Server 2025. I wanted to test the fuzzy string search functions. I run this code:
SELECT JARO_WINKLER_DISTANCE('tim', 'tom')
I get this error message:Msg 195, Level 15, State 10, Line 1 'JARO_WINKLER_DISTANCE' is not a recognized built-in function name.What is wrong? See possible answers