Performing Hierarchical Restructuring Using ANSI SQL
Discover the flexibility and power of using ANSI SQL to reshape and transform hierarchical structures.
Secure Storage
How do you keep the passwords and keys for encrypted data safe? Steve Jones comments on the challenges of working with keys and passwords.
Accessing SQL Server Databases with PHP
The SQL Server 2005 Driver for PHP is a Microsoft-supported extension of PHP 5 that provides data access to SQL Server 2005 and SQL Server 2008. The extension provides a procedural interface for accessing data in all editions of SQL Server 2005 and SQL Server 2008. The SQL Server 2005 Driver for PHP API provides a comprehensive data access solution from PHP, and includes support for many features including Windows Authentication, transactions, parameter binding, streaming, metadata access, connection pooling, and error handling.
I Need a Backup and I Need It Now
Have you ever wished that creating a backup on the fly was easier and quicker? Whether you do it with the GUI or with T-SQL, you still have to open up Management Studio, connect to the database, and go through the steps. You have to figure out ...
Inside the new replication features for SQL Server 2008
SQL Server 2008 features several replication improvements, and some are more compelling than others. Learn what's new with peer-to-peer topologies, merge replication and more.
Mistakes in April
Steve Jones has a blooper reel for today that shows some of the things that happen when shooting a daily podcast.
Comparison of Dates in SQL
This article discusses a common mistake while making date comparisons in T-SQL and its resolution. From new author Manish Sinha.
Setting Up Database Mail - SQL School Video
Learn how to get started integrating mail with your SQL Server in this SQL School video. MVP Andy Warren shows how to set up Database Mail.
The Best High Availability
Clustering is often the first choice for high availability, but is it the best choice? A lot of people think so, but Steve Jones has other thoughts.
Blogs
Presenting Twice in May 2026
By alevyinroc
I will be presenting my latest session, Documenting Your Work for Worry-Free Vacations, in-person...
Finding the Next Sequence Value: #SQLNewBlogger
By Steve Jones
I saw a question asking about the next sequence value and decided to try...
SQL Server Journey Part 2: Modern Era (2017 – 2026) – AI/Cloud First
By Vinay Thakur
Following up on my Part 1 baseline, the journey from 2017 onward changed how...
Forums
Auto Update Statistics not triggering on filtered indexes
I've got a table with 186,703,969 rows, about 300GB of data. There are several...
What is the difference between SQL Server and SQL Database?
I created a SQL Database in Azure Portal but I've just noticed it also...
An Unusual Identity
Comments posted to this topic are about the item An Unusual Identity
Question of the Day
An Unusual Identity
What values are returned when I run this code?
CREATE TABLE dbo.IdentityTest2
(
id NUMERIC(10,0) IDENTITY(10,10) PRIMARY KEY,
somevalue VARCHAR(20)
)
GO
INSERT dbo.IdentityTest2
(
somevalue
)
VALUES
( 'Steve')
, ('Bill')
GO
SELECT top 10
id
FROM dbo.IdentityTest2 See possible answers