The "Numbers" or "Tally" Table: What it is and how it replaces a loop
Many people have used a "Numbers" or "Tally" table without really knowing what it does. This is an introduction as to how a Tally table replaces a loop.
Managing Datasets for Database Development Work using Flyway
A generic way of exporting, deleting and loading data, for database development work. It uses Flyway Teams, a PowerShell framework, JSON files for storage and a table manifest to define the correct order of dependency for each task. It should help a team maintain datasets between database versions, as well as to switch between the datasets required to support different types of testing.
Metadata Functions in SQL Server and Their Use Cases
Learn about various SQL Server system functions to return meta data from SQL Server such as SERVERPROPERTY, DATABASEPROPERTYEX, DB_NAME, DB_ID, FILE_NAME, FILE_ID, FILE_IDEX, SCHEMA_NAME, SCHEMA_ID, OBJECT_NAME, OBJECT_ID and STATS_DATE.
New Cloud Licensing Limits
New licensing rules are coming for using your SQL Server licenses in the cloud.
Potholes in the Road of Progress
Phil Factor looks at some technologists more famous for thwarting progress than for their own creations.
SQL WAITFOR Command to Delay SQL Code Execution
In this article, we look at the SQL Server WAITFOR command to allow delays in processing either for a specified time or a set amount of time.
The Uses of Dependency Information in Database Development
Dependency information will allow you to avoid errors during a database build or tear-down, by ensuring you create or remove objects in the right order. It will also help you to avoid future 'invalid object' errors, because it will allow you to check that no database alterations have introduced broken references, during Flyway migrations.
T-SQL Language Changes in SQL Server 2022
SQL Server 2022 is in preview in August 2022. I assume this version will be released later this year, and I have been testing it with the idea that I will be looking at an upgrade sometime in the next year for a few servers. There are a lot of changes in the database platform, […]
Unlimited PTO
A guest editorial from Andy Warren looking at the unlimited amount of vacation time from his company.
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
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Upgrading Admin Queries
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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?
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