Metrics and Measures
We need to measure and monitor things to become better, but we need to keep an eye on what the actual goal is from this monitoring.
New functions in SQL Server 2022 - LEFT_SHIFT and RIGHT_SHIFT
Learn about the new functions LEFT_SHIFT and RIGHT_SHIFT in SQL Server 2022 and how these functions could be used.
The business value of frequent deployments
The multi-million-dollar question for you and your business is... what is the real business value of frequent deployments? Part one of three in this series on the value of database DevOps.
The Human Factor
A week ago I was in Pasadena attending the SCaLE 20x conference, a gathering of many different open-source communities discussing the technologies and platforms that draw them together. I was fortunate enough to hear some excellent presentations on PostgreSQL and give two talks as well. After the first round of talks on Friday morning a […]
Annual Security Compliance Training
A guest editorial from Andy Warren that looks at annual training to try and improve security.
SQL Server .WRITE() Function to Update VARCHAR(MAX), NVARCHAR(MAX) and VARBINARY(MAX) Data Types
Learn about the SQL Server .WRITE function along with how to use this to update data in VARCHAR(MAX), NVARCHAR(MAX), and VARBINARY(MAX) data types.
What are the biggest challenges organizations face in their digital transformation efforts?
As part of a recent Redgate Summit which focused on data modernization, Grant Fritchey interviewed Pramod Sadalage, a Director at Thoughtworks. They discussed data and DevOps, and the typical challenges organizations come across in their digital transformation efforts. Grant Fritchey shares this Q&A.
Better Writing
Are you a good writer? You should be. Steve Jones notes that communication skills are not only important, but that poor ones can set you apart in a way you might not like.
Stairway to SQL Server Security Level 9: Transparent Data Encryption
Even an otherwise well-secured database is susceptible to attack if an attacker is able to get access to the disk files that comprise the database. Cell-level encryption can protect some of the data, but for complete protection against this kind of attack it is necessary to encrypt the files and not just the data. That is exactly what Transparent Data Encryption (TDE) does, and in this stairway level you'll learn what TDE does, how it works, and how to make use of it to protect your database files.
Blogs
Who Are You Doing It For?
By Brian Kelley
But as I've matured over the years, I came to realize that I needed...
Presenting Twice in May 2026
By alevyinroc
I will be presenting my latest session, Documenting Your Work for Worry-Free Vacations, in-person...
Finding the Next Sequence Value: #SQLNewBlogger
By Steve Jones
I saw a question asking about the next sequence value and decided to try...
Forums
DB Design Methods
I've read a few posts regarding what we use to design DB models and...
Auto Update Statistics not triggering on filtered indexes
I've got a table with 186,703,969 rows, about 300GB of data. There are several...
What is the difference between SQL Server and SQL Database?
I created a SQL Database in Azure Portal but I've just noticed it also...
Question of the Day
An Unusual Identity
What values are returned when I run this code?
CREATE TABLE dbo.IdentityTest2
(
id NUMERIC(10,0) IDENTITY(10,10) PRIMARY KEY,
somevalue VARCHAR(20)
)
GO
INSERT dbo.IdentityTest2
(
somevalue
)
VALUES
( 'Steve')
, ('Bill')
GO
SELECT top 10
id
FROM dbo.IdentityTest2 See possible answers