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.
PowerShell Commands to Administer Virtual Machines on Amazon AWS - Part 2
Learn about various PowerShell commands that can be used to administer virtual machines on Amazon AWS.
The Fake Speakers
Someone generated a fake speaker profile for their conference, which Steve finds disturbing.
Blogs
March 2026 SQL Server Security Updates
By Brian Kelley
On Patch Tuesday, in addition to OS and Office security patches, Microsoft also released...
How Fabric Mirroring Transformed with SQL Server 2025
When mirroring was first released for Azure SQL Database, it used Change Data Capture...
The DIY Cost of Masking Test Data For Smaller Organizations
By Steve Jones
One of the things I’ve tried hard to do in database development situations if...
Forums
XACT_ABORT being set to ON by web services
We have two "identical" instances of an ASP.NET web service (or so I have...
OPENQUERY Flexibility
Comments posted to this topic are about the item OPENQUERY Flexibility
A Full Shutdown
Comments posted to this topic are about the item A Full Shutdown
Question of the Day
OPENQUERY Flexibility
Which of these are valid OPENQUERY() uses?
See possible answers