Window Function Basics - PARTITION BY
This article looks at the basics of the OVER() clause and how the PARTITION section works.
How using a database monitoring tool helps DBAs create value for the whole organization
The rise of cross platform databases which are both on-premises and in the cloud, alongside decreasing customer satisfaction and trust in digital channels, has increased the importance - and value - of enhanced database monitoring. Find out how using a database monitoring tool creates value for the whole organization.
Learn Spark SQL Date and Time Functions
This article covers how to use the different date and time functions when working with Spark SQL.
Stairway to Database DevOps Level 4: Creating a new Azure Pipeline (with Azure SQL DB Deployment)
The first three levels of this series have been the lead-up to this level, automating the database deployment with Azure Pipelines. First, we started with an introduction to Azure DevOps and the Git client. Next, SQL Source Control was introduced to manage a database’s schema and manually deploy changes from the database to source control […]
The Stagnant Career
A stagnant career can be stifling, and it can make you unhappy at work, where you spend a lot of time. Steve has a few thoughts on how to avoid that.
Cardinality Estimation Feedback in SQL Server 2022
Cardinality estimation (CE) is a process used by the query optimizer to estimate the number of rows returned by a query or sub-part of a query. These estimates rely on two underlying things: statistics about the data and a set of assumptions—known as the model.
Plansplaining, part 20. SQL Graph (part 1)
Welcome to part twenty of the plansplaining series. It has been a long time since I last wrote a plansplaining post, partly because of my health, but also for a large part because I was out of ideas. But recently I decided to dig a bit deeper into a feature that was released in SQL Server 2017 and that I had so far not played with: SQL Graph.
GitHub Copilot - Our Best Ally for T-SQL
This article examines how GitHub Copilot might be used when working with T-SQL Code.
Be Careful with Missing Index Requests
Steve reminds people today that the recommendations from execution plans aren't always what you want to use when tuning your database.
Championing DevOps: A Panel Webinar
If you aspire to drive Database DevOps at your company, regardless of the sector you work in, this webinar provides a unique opportunity to learn from experts in the finance sector who have successfully paved the way. Join us December 6th.
Blogs
Learning from Mistakes: T-SQL Tuesday #194
By Steve Jones
We’re a week late, once again my fault. I was still coming out of...
Stupid Things I Did With AI: ASCII Art
By Steve Jones
I ran across this article recently (https://www.gatesnotes.com/meet-bill/source-code/reader/microsoft-original-source-code) and it has a great opening piece...
Simple Talks Podcasting in 2026
By Steve Jones
I’m in the UK today, having arrived this morning in London. Hopefully, by this...
Forums
Learning From Breakage
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Python in Action to Auto-Generate an Optimized PostgreSQL Index Strategy
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Python in Action to Auto-Generate...
Adding and Dropping Columns I
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Adding and Dropping Columns I
Question of the Day
Adding and Dropping Columns I
I have this table in my SQL Server 2022 database:
CREATE TABLE [dbo].[CityList] ( [CityNameID] [int] NOT NULL IDENTITY(1, 1), [CityName] [varchar] (30) COLLATE SQL_Latin1_General_CP1_CI_AS NULL ) ON [PRIMARY] GOI decide to add two new columns for the StateProvince and Country. What code should I use? See possible answers