T-SQL in SQL Server 2025: Substring Changes
This article takes a look at the changes in SQL Server 2025 to the SUBSTRING function.
SQL Server CROSS APPLY and OUTER APPLY Helpful Examples
Microsoft introduced the APPLY operator in SQL Server 2005. Similar to a JOIN, it allows correlation between two table expressions. The key difference between the JOIN and APPLY operators is when you have a table-valued expression on the right side and want to evaluate it for each row from the left table expression. Since they produce similar results, when do you choose an APPLY versus a JOIN?
Create and Read the Analysis Services Flight Recorder
This article explains how to customize an extended events session in SQL Server Analysis Services for auditing and monitoring
Data > Hype
Most of us believe in the importance of data. Steve has a few thoughts on using data to determine if AI is helpful.
Power BI TMDL View: Benefits, Security Risks & Best Practices
The Tabular Model Definition Language (TMDL) provides a simpler way of defining Power BI Semantic Models. Unlike the JSON-based Tabular Model Scripting Language (TMSL), TMDL uses a more accessible tab-based format for specifying DAX measures, relationships, and Power Query code.
Create an HTML Report on the Status of SQL Server Agent Jobs
Learn how to query your jobs to produce a report that is formatted to make consuming the data easy for DBAs.
Practice Until You Don't Get It Wrong
We will all make mistakes, but practice can help reduce the errors we cause.
Which Should You Use: VARCHAR or NVARCHAR?
You’re building a new table or adding a column, and you wanna know which datatype to use: VARCHAR or NVARCHAR?
Regular Expressions in SQL Server 2025
This article examines the new regular expression functions added to T-SQL in SQL Server 2025.
The Selfish Case for Learning AI
Steve has a good reason to spend time working with and learning about AI technology.
Blogs
Whiling away an afternoon, thinking
By Steve Jones
I come to Heathrow often. Today is likely somewhere close to 60 trips to...
Black Box vs. Gray Box vs. White Box Testing
By Brian Kelley
If your organization is spending money, then meaningful results are a must. Pen testing...
Webinar Series – SQL Server Indexing
I’m starting a webinar series about SQL Server indexing with the fine folks of...
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Restoring On Top II
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SQL Art 2: St Patrick’s Day in SSMS (Shamrock + Pint + Pixel Text)
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Breaking Down Your Work
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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