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.
Enterprise Architecture – Connect-the-Dots for Adults, Part 4
This article, part 4 in a series, discusses how to use, publish, maintain and govern the enterprise architecture.
Fixing SQL Server - iPod
If we will get a new version of SQL Server every 3 years, how can we make the process smoother.
Fixing SQL Server - MP3
If we will get a new version of SQL Server every 3 years, how can we make the process smoother.
Fixing SQL Server - WMV
If we will get a new version of SQL Server every 3 years, how can we make the process smoother.
MDX Numeric Functions: The Max() Function
Business Intelligence Architect Bill Pearson introduces the numeric Max()function, and leads hands-on practice examples of the basic concepts.
I've Got the XML - Now What?
Getting a result set of XML is the easy part, but what about exporting the data in a human readable format? Most DBAs don't
spend a lot of time formatting XML output, but it doesn't hurt to know how. New author David McKinney brings us a technique for generating an XML article and then using SSIS and XSL to transform it into an HTML page.
Blogs
Claude finds two cryptographic weaknesses (but the sky isn’t falling)
By Brian Kelley
If you haven't seen the announcement, Anthropic was able to utilize Claude (Mythos Preview)...
Generate Embeddings in SQL with Aurora and Bedrock
Most embedding pipelines on AWS have the same shape: a job reads rows out...
Resolving SQL Server Transaction Log Issues Efficiently
By Arun Sirpal
Transaction log issues are one of the quietest ways a healthy database turns into...
Forums
Symmetric Key Encryption
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Symmetric Key Encryption
The “Successful Login” Dilemma: Why Your Login Auditing Strategy Might Be Hurting Your Server
Comments posted to this topic are about the item The “Successful Login” Dilemma: Why...
Building Your Own Software
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Building Your Own Software
Question of the Day
Symmetric Key Encryption
If I run this statement in SQL Server 2025, how is the password encrypted?
CREATE SYMMETRIC KEY MySymmetricKey WITH ALGORITHM = AES_256, KEY_SOURCE = 'My secret key source passphrase', IDENTITY_VALUE = 'My secret identity value' ENCRYPTION BY PASSWORD = 'S&perS#cretP@ssword7'; GOSee possible answers