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.
Estimated and Actual Plans Can Have Different Shapes.
Hi Brent, What is your take on Hugo Kornelis’s explanation of execution plan naming. As her his explanation, estimated exec plan is simply an execution plan whereas actual execution plan = execution plan+run-time stats. Do you agree that the naming is flawed and confusing? – Yourbiggestfan
Blogs
Finding Balance: Things Will Come Up
By Steve Jones
I have a presentation on finding balance in your career that got quite a...
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...
Forums
The day-to-day pressures of a DBA team, and how we can work smarter with automation and AI
Comments posted to this topic are about the item The day-to-day pressures of a...
Migrate SSRS Reports to PowerBI Report Server in SQL Server 2025
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Migrate SSRS Reports to PowerBI...
Identities and Sequences III
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Identities and Sequences III
Question of the Day
Identities and Sequences III
When thinking of the Identity property for auto incrementing columns and sequences for the same action, which can be used with the BIGINT data type?
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