50 Years of Microsoft
Steve looks back at his history with Microsoft and asks what your memories are of using their products.
Retrieving Data Using the REST API in Data API Builder
I wrote a piece on getting started with the Data API Builder (DAB), which looked at how this product works and how to start using it. That was a basic look, but it gives data professionals an idea of how this might help them work more closely with front-end developers who are more comfortable with […]
Managed Instance Gotchas – Error Conditions
I was recently on a project to migrate a very transactional installation of SQL Server to Azure SQL Managed Instance (MI). SQL Managed Instance is a good stepping stone between a full, on-prem SQL instance / Azure VM and an Azure SQL Database.
Stairway to ColumnStore Indexes Level 7: Optimizing Nonclustered Columnstore Indexes
In this level, we will focus on optimization techniques to apply while building the nonclustered columnstore index, which is available in all versions of SQL Server from 2012 up.
Using the CASE expression instead of dynamic SQL in SQL Server
I have a lot of SQL update queries where I need to make IF/ELSE types of decisions. In some cases, I am using a cursor but looping through thousands of rows for update takes a long time. I also use some dynamic SQL to handle some query parameter decision making. Is there a better alternative?
Load Data into Snowflake Using Python with Pandas
Loading data into Snowflake is a common need. Using Python and pandas is a common go-to solution for data professionals
The Subtle Differences Between COALESCE and ISNULL
See how ISNULL and COALESCE behave in different situations and ensure you know which one to pick when.
Upgrading Your OS
Windows 7 support is ending, but Microsoft doesn't have a good plan for home users. Steve notes that the OS upgrade treadmill ought to come to an end soon.
Blogs
From Couch-Potato to Triathlete – and What This Means for Your SQL Server
Do you know if your SQL Server is really running at its best? To...
Retro Data 2025 – Slidedeck
You can find the slides of my session on the €100 DWH in Azure...
The Book of Redgate: We Value Teams
By Steve Jones
This value is something that I still hear today: our best work is done...
Forums
Single User SQL Server on Linux
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Single User SQL Server on...
All the Costs of Downtime
Comments posted to this topic are about the item All the Costs of Downtime
How Well Does the MSSQL Extension in VSCode Work?
Comments posted to this topic are about the item How Well Does the MSSQL...
Question of the Day
Single User SQL Server on Linux
How can I start SQL Server on Linux in single-user mode to restore the master database?
See possible answers