Don't (Always) Be a Hero
When we need to be heroes in IT on a regular basis, that's a problem for Steve.
SQL Server and Python Tutorial
This article will show the basic outline for how Python scripts can access and work with data in SQL Server.
Don’t use DISTINCT as a “join-fixer”
I’ve quietly resolved performance issues by re-writing slow queries to avoid DISTINCT. Often, the DISTINCT is there only to serve as a “join-fixer,” and I can explain what that means using an example.
Five database DevOps practices for boosting team productivity
Speed of delivery and protecting data can often feel incompatible, but there are industry-proven database DevOps practices that bring them together in harmony.
Across each of these five key practices, there’s a theme of removing barriers and cognitive load for teams; but crucially, they are also putting safeguards in place to reduce the risks to production environments.
A rose by any other name would not be a rose
William Shakespeare once wrote in the play Romeo and Juliet: “What's in a name? That which we call a rose, by any other word would smell as sweet.” It is a beautiful sentiment in that context, and even still you might say that there is some truth to this saying in a lot of ways. […]
Trigger the Execution of an ADF Pipeline from an Email
Learn how you can configure an Azure Data Factory pipeline that is triggered by an email being sent to an address.
When Work Isn't Done
Today Steve looks at the case when one software developer finishes their work, but another doesn't. The challenge of reordering work is something that happens more and more as teams struggle to coordinate their efforts.
SQL Server Fragmentation Impact with Modern Hardware
Read this article to find out if you still need to worry about SQL Server index fragmentation with modern hardware.
Not Useless Features
There are some useless features in SQL Server, but Steve Jones wants to know which ones aren't and need investment.
SQL Server Central Is Upgrading Our Servers
The SQL Server Central database servers are being upgraded on Thursday, Nov 2.
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