All Data Readers Are Evil
The DBA's Mantra: All data readers are evil. Steve Jones talks about a proposed corollary that might be appropriate to ensure security.
Connection Strategy for Multiple Database Environments
Greg Larsen looks at one way to design your database connection strategy to simplify changing application connections so you can plug-n-play databases with less administrative overhead when the need arises.
SQL Server 2005 log shipping setup using the wizard
Along with some best practices, SQL Server MVP Hilary Cotter shares a log shipping setup process from start to finish.
Easy or Hard
How should we build tools? Should they be easy to use? Or does it make sense to have some things hard to do so that only experienced used choose them. Steve Jones comments on usability and the implications of your choices.
Easy or Hard
How should we build tools? Should they be easy to use? Or does it make sense to have some things hard to do so that only experienced used choose them. Steve Jones comments on usability and the implications of your choices.
Converting Hexadecimal String Values to Alpha (ASCII) Strings
In an interesting exercise in data conversion, Stephen Lasham brings us a nice article on basic manipulations.
Free Encryption
Free SQL Server 2000 Encryption for your data!!! Author Michael Coles has put together a tolljit and some XPs that you can use to encrypt your data with the Blowfish algorithm. It is hard to write good applications that encrpyt data and manage the keys and security. This will give you a great headstart on protecting your data.
Seeing Double
SQL Server allows some interesting index behavior and there's been some debate over whether it makes sense or not. This Friday Steve Jones asks if you have a reason for this.
International Features in Microsoft SQL Server 2005
This white paper introduces Microsoft SQL Server developers to the international features of Microsoft SQL Server 2005. Topics covered include an explanation of Unicode, added support for supplementary characters in SQL Server 2005, the changes in collation in different versions of SQL Server, changes in data types, performance, updates on data providers, and new international support features in SQL Server 2005 Analysis Services and Integration Services.
TSQL Spam-killer
In which Phil takes a break from a tedious bit of routine coding to build a Spam Filter in SQL.
Blogs
Experimenting with CHOOSE: #SQLNewBlogger
By Steve Jones
I was looking over the CHOOSE() function while editing an article at SQL Server...
Fighting Procrastination?
By Brian Kelley
Here is another short video (~ 15 minutes). This is by the author of...
A Fun Prize at the PASS Data Community Summit
By Steve Jones
I had a briefing for the 2026 PASS Data Community Summit, which is just...
Forums
SQL Server 2025 Server-level Roles
Comments posted to this topic are about the item SQL Server 2025 Server-level Roles
Stairway to DAX and Power BI - Level 29: The DAX Combine & Aggregate Functions
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Stairway to DAX and Power...
AI Is Improving Security
Comments posted to this topic are about the item AI Is Improving Security
Question of the Day
SQL Server 2025 Server-level Roles
In SQL Server 2022+, what does the ##MS_DatabaseConnector## role allow?
See possible answers