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.
Performance Testing SQL 2008’s Transparent Data Encryption
The focus of this article is to test the performance of SQL Server 2008's Transparent Data Encryption. How does it perform compared to a database without encryption? How does the mix of SELECT/INSERT/UPDATE affect the performance results?
Blogs
PlanTrace Now Supports PostgreSQL
PlanTrace Now Supports PostgreSQL The same plan analysis you know from...
A New Word: the Kinder Surprise
By Steve Jones
the kinder surprise – . the point in your early adolescence when you realize...
Crash-Consistent Snapshot Cloning - Hyper-V Edition
If you’ve been following my T-SQL Snapshot Backup series, most of what I’ve covered...
Forums
SSRS Is Dead. Here Are Your Real Options
Comments posted to this topic are about the item SSRS Is Dead. Here Are...
The Distance Metric
Comments posted to this topic are about the item The Distance Metric
The New Wave of Security Threats
Comments posted to this topic are about the item The New Wave of Security...
Question of the Day
The Distance Metric
In the new VECTOR_DISTANCE() function in SQL Server 2025, the first parameter is the distance_metric. What is this?
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