A Welcome Intruder
This Friday Steve Jones asked about penetration testing of your security. Have any of you ever tested your systems?
Announcing Red Gate SQL Test
SQL Test is a new unit testing plug-in which allows you to seamlessly write, run and manage tests within SQL Server Management Studio. Download the preview release now.
Working with the XML Data Type in SQL Server
The XML data type, introduced in SQL Server 2005, is a powerful construct. When used wisely, it can provide useful extensions to SQL Server. Robert Sheldon, in the first part of a series, describes how create and index a XML column in a table, and discusses when you should consider using an XML data type.
Fast Migrations
Virtualization is an important technology for anyone working with servers, and as vendors look to improve the performance of their hypervisors, this technology might be more important for data professionals to understand.
Mind mapping software - How it can help the DBA
Mind mapping software allows the rapid capture of thoughts and ideas. It is a killer app that can easily help a busy DBA capture their thoughts
Getting Started with SQL Server Report Builder 3.0
SQL Server offers a simple tool for business users to perform ad-hoc reporting.
A Refreshing Break
Steve Jones talks about his recent vacation break and one change that made it a huge success.
Administrating SQL Server Reporting Services – Planning, Documenting and Troubleshooting
DBAs are often short on guidance on how to go about such tasks as planning, documenting and troubleshooting those aspects that are specific to the SSRS service. Feodor Georgiev gives some tips, custom SSMS reports, and useful TSQL queries.
Blogs
A New Word: los vidados
By Steve Jones
los vidados – n. the half-remembered acquaintances you knew years ago, who you might...
In-Person CISA Training – April 13-16, 2026
By Brian Kelley
I will be leading an in-person Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) exam prep class...
EightKB 2026
EightKB is back again for 2026! The biggest online SQL Server internals conference is...
Forums
Vectors in SQL Server 2025
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Vectors in SQL Server 2025
Odd Sequences
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Odd Sequences
Everything is the right question away
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Everything is the right question...
Question of the Day
Odd Sequences
What values are returned from this code?
CREATE SEQUENCE NumericSequence
AS NUMERIC(5,1)
START WITH 1.0
INCREMENT BY 0.1;
GO
SELECT NEXT VALUE FOR NumericSequence
GO
SELECT NEXT VALUE FOR NumericSequence
GO See possible answers