Don't Let Corner Cases Drive Your Design
When we design a database or system, we often do so with corner cases in mind. We don't have to do this.
Troubleshooting Common SQL Server Errors: 823, and 824
Learn about the critical 823 and 824 errors in SQL Server and how to deal with them in this article.
Random Number Generator in SQL using Marsaglia Polar
How can we build a random number generator using Marsaglia Polar method in SQL Server without the use of external tools?
FinOps - the new name for performance tuning
This year I have been speaking with an increasing number of people about FinOps and what it means. Fundamentally, it is all about getting a handle on the cost for our technology spend. When we step back and look at the bigger picture it also has ramifications on corporate Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) programs […]
T-SQL in SQL Server 2025: The PRODUCT Function
Earlier this year at SQL Saturday Austin 2025, Conor Cunningham gave a keynote that discussed the engineering efforts in the Austin office around SQL Server. One of the things he mentioned was PRODUCT(), which was written there and added to SQL Server 2025 to help with the GDP calculation for the US government. Yep, that's […]
How to Query JSON Data Quickly in SQL Server, Part 1: Pre-2025
Before SQL Server 2025, if you want to store JSON data in Microsoft SQL Server or Azure SQL DB, and you want fast queries, the easiest way is to:
Done is Better than Good
Getting something done is important, but so is the quality level. Steve has a few thoughts today.
Identify Unused Tables in SQL Server and Azure SQL
This article presents a way to discover those tables that are unused over a period of time, along with suggestions on how to get rid of these tables.
SQL Declare Variable Code Examples
This tutorial will discuss using variables with SQL DECLARE along with various examples.
Blogs
From Planning to Practice: Setting Up Your FinOps Framework
By HeyMo0sh
As someone who works in DevOps, I’m always focused on creating systems that are...
“We love to debate minutiae”
By Brian Kelley
I am guilty as charged. The quote was in reference to how people argue...
Advice I Like: Knots
By Steve Jones
Learn how to tie a bowline knot. Practice in the dark. With one hand....
Forums
Restoring On Top II
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Restoring On Top II
SQL Art 2: St Patrick’s Day in SSMS (Shamrock + Pint + Pixel Text)
Comments posted to this topic are about the item SQL Art 2: St Patrick’s...
Breaking Down Your Work
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Breaking Down Your Work
Question of the Day
Restoring On Top II
I have a database, DNRTest, that has a number of tables and other objects in it. The other day, I was trying to mock up a test and ran this code on the same server:
-- run yesterday CREATE DATABASE DNRTest2 GO USE DNRTest2 GO CREATE TABLE NewTable (id INT) GOToday, I realize that I need a copy of DNRTest for another mockup, and I run this:
-- run today USE Master BACKUP DATABASE DNRTest TO DISK = 'dnrtest.bak' GO RESTORE DATABASE DNRTest2 FROM DISK = 'dnrtest.bak' WITH REPLACEWhat happens? See possible answers