Having Data Modeling Standards
Today Steve talks about data modeling and how standards can transfer knowledge between developers.
Azure DocumentDB: Working with Microsoft's NoSQL Database in the Cloud
Coding for the new NoSQL JSON database service that supports SQL queries.
T-SQL Fundamentals: Controlling Duplicates
When people start learning a new field, for example T-SQL, it’s tempting to spend very little time trying to understand the fundamentals of the field so that you can quickly get to the advanced parts.
SQL Window Functions Series: RANK() and DENSE_RANK()
Welcome to the fascinating world of SQL window functions! Today, we'll explore in detail: RANK() and DENSE_RANK().
“How do my peers do this?” The latest best practices for IT architects implementing a major business initiative
How do other architects solve the common problems they encounter when tasked with implementing a major new business initiative? We asked 9 of your fellow IT architects to tell us how they approach the most common challenges.
What are Warehouses in Microsoft Fabric?
In this article, we look at using Microsoft Fabric to build a data warehouse and some things you should know about doing this.
You Never Know
I'm writing this sitting at the PASS Data Community Summit. It's been a fantastic event. I gave a community session on Azure DevOps. I was able to help Redgate launch a new product. I've received a bunch of hugs from VERY dear old friends. I've met a ton of people. It's been great. Allow me […]
Scheduling SQL Agent Jobs on Alternating Weeks
Bi-week... semi-week... fortnight... "every two weeks" Recently on the SQL Community Slack group, someone asked if there was a way to schedule a backup to run on alternate weeks. I'm not exactly sure why (maybe they wanted to run full and differential backups on alternating weeks), but yes, we can do that. In part one […]
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
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Learning From Breakage
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