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.
Using Pipeline Return Value in Azure Data Factory and Azure Synapse Analytics
Learn how you can return data from one ADF pipeline for use in another.
Blogs
Identity Columns Can’t Be Updated: #SQLNewBlogger
By Steve Jones
I’m not sure I knew identity column values could not be updated. I ran...
Rolling Back a Broken Release
By Steve Jones
We had an interesting discussion about deployments in databases and how you go forward...
A bespoke reporting solution doesn’t have to cost the earth
By ChrisJenkins
You could be tolerating limited reporting because there isn’t an off the shelf solution...
Forums
SELECT COUNT(DISTINCT) returns null when nothing is found instead of 0
SELECT COUNT(DISTINCT Component) AS Found FROM tblComponents WHERE(Component NOT LIKE '%[a-z]%') AND(LTRIM(RTRIM(Component)) = 'GM13622')...
Remotely Engineer Fabric Lakehouse objects: The Fabric Modern Data Platform
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Remotely Engineer Fabric Lakehouse objects:...
Creating JSON III
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Creating JSON III
Question of the Day
Creating JSON III
In a SQL Server 2025 table, called Beer, I have this data:
BeerIDBeerName 1Becks 2Fat Tire 3Mac n Jacks 4Alaskan Amber 8KirinI run this code:
SELECT JSON_OBJECTAGG(
BeerID: BeerName )
FROM beer;
What are the results? See possible answers