Configure aliases for SQL Server databases and servers
Configure alias names for SQL Server database objects and servers. Make fewer changes to application code and configurations with SQL Server alias methods.
Understand when to use user-defined functions in SQL Server
In the simplest terms, a user-defined function (UDF) in SQL Server is a programming construct that accepts parameters, does work that typically makes use of the accepted parameters, and returns a type of result. This article will cover two types of UDFs: table-valued and scalar-valued.
Differential Backups Internals
Describes how data changes for differential backups are recorded using dbcc page
Do We Need a PK?
A primary key is a must for every table. Or is it? Steve Jones examines the question.
Bring Array Mapping Capabilities to SQL
Simplify your SQL tasks by giving your queries and stored procedures the ability to iterate over arrays of table names or values.
SQL Server 2008 New DATETIME DataTypes
SQL Server 2008 introduces four new DATETIME datatypes as well as new DATETIME functions.
Hipp, Hipp, Hooray
In an age where commercial interests seem to trump all, it's nice to see someone delivering content out there for free.
TinyInt, SmallInt, Int and BigInt
SQL Server guru David Poole takes a look at the different integer data types and the impact of each of those on your database.
Toward Integrity - Part 2
An exploration of the process of translating a conceptual model to a logical model, and ultimately, a faithful implementation using T-SQL.
Relational Databases 101
In this sample chapter, William R. Vaughn gives you a kick-start on designing relational databases that can perform better, be easier to maintain, and be more successful thanks to a combination of formal rules and informal suggestions to normalize your database.
Blogs
Shifting Mindsets: Why FinOps is Essential for Cloud Efficiency
By HeyMo0sh
As a DevOps practitioner, I’ve always focused on performance, scalability, and automation. But as...
March 2026 SQL Server Security Updates
By Brian Kelley
On Patch Tuesday, in addition to OS and Office security patches, Microsoft also released...
How Fabric Mirroring Transformed with SQL Server 2025
When mirroring was first released for Azure SQL Database, it used Change Data Capture...
Forums
Multiple Deployment Processes
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How to Use sqlpackage to Detect Schema Drift Between Azure SQL Databases
Comments posted to this topic are about the item How to Use sqlpackage to...
Upgrading Admin Queries
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Upgrading Admin Queries
Question of the Day
Upgrading Admin Queries
I have a query from a former DBA that we run on SQL Server 2025 to check on database metadata. This query references sys.sysaltfiles. I want to refactor this code to be more modern. Which DMV should I reference instead?
See possible answers