The basic T-SQL SELECT statement
The SQL language is used across many relational database platforms. Greg Larsen explains the basics of the SELECT statement for SQL Server.
Query History and Server Reports in Azure Data Studio
Introduction to Query history and server reports i...
The Challenges of Changing Software Tools
The way different generations use computers could affect how we built software tools.
DBAs and DevOps: A match made in heaven?
DevOps is a buzzword thrown around a lot. But what does it mean for you as a DBA? And how can the whole team work together to achieve peak performance across multiple projects? Join Kathi for the discussion.
What’s new in SQL Monitor? Tagging and Current Activity Page (minor release v12.1)
We've released a minor version of SQL Monitor, v12.1, that includes two exciting new features: ‘Tagging’ and a ‘Current Activity’ page. In a nutshell: tags allow you to record aspects of a server so that you have information at your fingertips, and the Current Activity page directly queries the monitored server when you open it to get the most up-to-date information possible. It’s all part of our commitment to making SQL Monitor the best monitoring tool out there!
Exploring Knowledge Center in Azure Synapse Analytics
Introduction Azure Synapse Analytics is an enterprise analytics service that brings together popular data warehouse technologies and big data systems together. It provides SQL for enterprise data warehousing, Spark technologies for big data, Data explorer for analytics, Pipeline for data integration and ETL and ELT, and other popular Azure services including Power BI, CosmosDB, and […]
Populate a SQL Server column with a sequential number not using an identity
I have a database table that has a lot of data already in the table and I need to add a new column to this table to include a new sequential number. In addition to adding the column I also need to populate the existing records with an incremental counter what options are there to do this?
SQL Prompt ALT S Magic
SQL Prompt's new command palette provides a fast way to navigate the tool's functionality via a single keyboard shortcut: ALT+S. Phil Factor explains how you can use the command palette to find and execute SQL Prompt functionality and common SSMS commands, as well as search for database objects.
The (Former) Complexity of PowerShell
Steve Jones notes that PowerShell seems to becoming an easier to use language for SQL Server professionals.
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