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
A New Word: los vidados
By Steve Jones
los vidados – n. the half-remembered acquaintances you knew years ago, who you might...
In-Person CISA Training – April 13-16, 2026
By Brian Kelley
I will be leading an in-person Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) exam prep class...
EightKB 2026
EightKB is back again for 2026! The biggest online SQL Server internals conference is...
Forums
Everything is the right question away
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query to track time spent on individual tasks in SSIS
Hi everyone I am looking at building a query to determine how much time...
SQL Server Transactional Replication from Always On Availability Groups to Azure SQL Database
Comments posted to this topic are about the item SQL Server Transactional Replication from...
Question of the Day
Identities and Sequences I
When thinking of the Identity property for auto incrementing columns and sequences for the same action, which are explicitly linked to increment a number in a table when a new row is added?
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