Fixing SQL Server
If we will get a new version of SQL Server every 3 years, how can we make the process smoother.
Revenge of the BLOB
Working with large images or other BLOB data can be a challenge for many DBAs. Andrew Sears brings us some code that can help you extract some of that data out of BLOBs and get it back into a more easy-to-work-with format.
Designing High Performance Stored Procedures
Stored procedures can be an effective way to handle conflicting needs, but it's not always so obvious how to write them so they both perform well and scale.
Featured Blog: SQL Server 2008: Partition-level lock escalation details and examples
Paul Randal of SQLskills takes a look at lock escalation in SQL Server 2008
Object Dependencies in SQL Server
In this video, Randy Dyess shows you how important SQL Server dependencies are and some of the faults with SQL Server 2005 with these. For example, SQL Server will allow you to create a stored procedure that points to a table that doesn't exist. He also shows you how this problem has been corrected in SQL Server 2008.
Importance of UPSERT
A simple UPSERT can reduce reads on tables. This in turn will increase the performance of a DB.
IT Transparency
How can IT get along better with the rest of the business? Often a SQL Server DBA isn't in charge, but you can influence others and make everything work smoother with a little effort. Andy Warren gives you some tips and tricks that have worked well in the past.
Problems In Building a Data Warehouse
Building a data warehouse usually isn't a small project, but somehow management sometimes sees it as something that can quickly eb done with a tool or two. Longtime DBA Janet Wong brings us a look at some of the problems you might face when getting ready to embark on this
type of project.
The Mistake
SQL Server 2008 has been delayed and Steve Jones thinks the entire process of building this version has been poorly handled.
Blogs
Reality (And Limits) of Instant File Initialization for Transaction Logs in SQL Server 2022
By SQLPals
Reality (And Limits) of Instant File Initialization for Transaction Logs in SQL Server 2022 ...
Looking Back at the Redgate 2026 Company Kickoff
By Steve Jones
Last week I spent a few days in Cambridge, UK for the Redgate Company...
Using AI for Git Hooks
By Steve Jones
Recently I had someone internally ask about whether SQL Source Control supports Git Hooks....
Forums
SQL Agent job running gMSA cannot backup to NAS target
I'm running a group MSA for the database engine and SQL Agent in a...
sys.query_store_query question
All, My query is as follows: SET DATEFORMAT dmy SELECT p.query_id, DATEADD(MICROSECOND,-rs.max_duration,rs.first_execution_time) AS starttime,...
Encoding Strings
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Encoding Strings
Question of the Day
Encoding Strings
I have this code in SQL Server 2025. What is the result?
DECLARE @message VARCHAR(50) = 'Hello SQL Server 2025!'; DECLARE @encoded VARCHAR(MAX); SET @encoded = BASE64_ENCODE(@message); SELECT @encoded AS EncodedResult;See possible answers