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
A New Word: los vidados
By Steve Jones
los vidados – n. the half-remembered acquaintances you knew years ago, who you might...
In-Person CISA Training – April 13-16, 2026
By Brian Kelley
I will be leading an in-person Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) exam prep class...
EightKB 2026
EightKB is back again for 2026! The biggest online SQL Server internals conference is...
Forums
query to track time spent on individual tasks in SSIS
Hi everyone I am looking at building a query to determine how much time...
SQL Server Transactional Replication from Always On Availability Groups to Azure SQL Database
Comments posted to this topic are about the item SQL Server Transactional Replication from...
Hidden Heroes
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Hidden Heroes
Question of the Day
Identities and Sequences I
When thinking of the Identity property for auto incrementing columns and sequences for the same action, which are explicitly linked to increment a number in a table when a new row is added?
See possible answers