The User Defined Server Roles in SQL Server 2012
This article describes how to create user defined server roles and use stored procedures and queries related.
Backups, What Are They Good For?
We've heard the confessional story from Pixar that Toy Story 2 was almost lost due to a bad backup, but sometimes there is no 'almost'. Grant Fritchey casts a sympathetic eye over some catastrophic data losses, and gives advice on how to avoid what he has termed an RGE (résumé generating event).
Making New Infrastructure Investments
One of the areas where the cloud may have the most impact is with new infrastructure improvements. Steve Jones talks about a few companies that are using the cloud in different ways.
SQL Server 2012 Integration Services - Package and Project Parameters
In SQL Server 2012, Microsoft introduced SQL Server Data Tools to accommodate the dynamic nature of SSIS constructs in the form of package and project parameters. This approach lets you combine multi-package projects into a single unit, eliminating the possibility of breaking dependencies between parent and child packages during subsequent deployments.
Work around for calculating age using the SQL Server DateDiff function
Have you ever wanted to compute age, but the results from the DATEDIFF function seemed to be wrong some of the time? This tip covers why the DATEDIFF function does not always reliably compute age.
New features in SQL 2012, the contained database
This article describe the problems about the migration of the databases and logins and the new feature contained databases
The TCO of the Cloud
When is the cloud right for your databases? Steve Jones talks about some metrics and ways you can measure your usage to determine when it makes sense.
SQL Server Central Webinar Series #18 - Don’t Lose Your Data: Top Tips for Backup, Verification and Restore
Join us on May 22, 4:00GMT to learn how to include verification as a part of your backup and recovery strategy with Grant Fritchey.
Windows Azure from a Data Perspective
Before creating a data application in Windows Azure, it is important to make choices based on the type of data you have, as well as the security and the business requirements. There are a wide range of options, because Windows Azure has intrinsic data storage, completely separate from SQL Azure, that is highly available and replicated. Your data requirements are likely to dictate the type of data storage options you choose.
Continuous Releases
The idea of continuous development, integration and release can be a way to get your software in use by clients quicker. Steve Jones talks about releases, and some benefits you might get.
Blogs
How AgentDBA Identifies Backup Failures
By Arun Sirpal
Every DBA has a box like this. Sitting untouched for months. Nobody’s proud of...
Tip: Expanding a SQL statement
In all recent versions of the database you can call DBMS_UTILITY.EXPAND_SQL_TEXT to get the...
AI Helps Me with My Sloppiness
By Steve Jones
I type fairly well. Well, I type fast, but I do wear out a...
Forums
From SQL Server On-Premises to Claude Desktop: How I built a Full MCP Pipeline
Comments posted to this topic are about the item From SQL Server On-Premises to...
Independence Day 2026
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Independence Day 2026
Independence Day 2026
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Independence Day 2026
Question of the Day
Independence Day 2026
In the original Independence Day movie (1996), what type of computer did Jeff Goldblum use to connect to the alien mainframe? Take a guess, don't look it up or ask AI.
See possible answers