What Exactly Is a CTE in T-SQL? A Comprehensive Guide with 7 Examples
Learn how to use CTEs through the use of a number of examples.
Azure Databricks Tables - Delta Lake, Hive Metastore, TempViews, Managed, External
Learn about the different tables that can be created using Azure Databricks with a dive deep into the importance of Delta Lake tables.
Query processing architecture guide
The SQL Server Database Engine processes queries on various data storage architectures such as local tables, partitioned tables, and tables distributed across multiple servers. The following sections cover how SQL Server processes queries and optimizes query reuse through execution plan caching.
Practicing (Annoying) Better Security
Steve has had to change his security, which is good, but annoying.
Stairway to Database DevOps Level 2: Manage Code with Red Gate SQL Source Control
In this second level of the Stairway to Database DevOps, we learn to use Redgate's SQL Source Control to save and updates changes to objects, as well as tracking data in certain tables.
Designing Databases for Distributed Systems
Several data management patterns have emerged for microservices and cloud-native solutions. Learn important patterns to manage data in a distributed environment.
What I Wish Everyone Knew About ETL Processes - Traditional to Modern Cloud Solutions
Learn about the evolutionary journey of ETL (Extract, Transform, Load) from traditional processes to modern cloud solutions.
Stairway to Database DevOps Level 1: Setup a Local Git Repo with Azure DevOps
In this first level of the Stairway to DevOps, you will learn how to get version control set up on your local machine and connect to an Azure DevOps repository.
The Code Review Checklist
Code reviews are a part of many software development processes, but not used that often with database work. Today Steve has a few thoughts and asks if you have any formal code review process.
Explore Natively Compiled SQL Server Stored Procedure Execution Plans
In this article, we look at execution plans and performance of a natively compiled stored procedure versus a traditional stored procedure.
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