Challenging Trends
Steve notes the changes in the world might affect how to view and use data in our work.
Stairway to Advanced T-SQL Level 6: Creating Rows Of Data Using The UNPIVOT Operator
The UNPIVOT operator does just the opposite of the PIVOT operator, which we looked at in the previous level. By using the PIVOT operator we can take multiple rows of data and create as single row as output. The UNPIVOT operator will take values from a single row and will create multiple rows. Microsoft introduced the UNPIVOT operator when they rolled out SQL Server 2005. In this level I will be showing you different examples of how to use the UNPIVOT operator.
Exploring Auto-fix in SQL Code Analysis
Phil Factor presents a useful but slightly flawed 'table report' script as an adventure playground for exploring SQL Code analysis issues. He demonstrates use of the auto-fix feature, to arrive at a pristine script free from wavy green underlines.
How to return multiple sequence numbers with sp_sequence_get_range
Developers can work with multiple range values at once using sp_sequence_get_range. Greg Larsen explains how to return multiple sequence numbers with sp_sequence_get_range.
Data Cleanup
Steve wishes we could do some data cleanup and archival every year. Or even more often.
How to (Somewhat) Increase SQL Server Security
Problem Some time ago Argenis Fernandez(@DBArgenis) found and described a vulnerability that allows you to get into SQL Server with 'sa' rights. This method does not require a restart of the SQL Server service or the whole machine, the condition is a local administrator account on the server. Reminder SQL Server until 2008R2: Until SQL 2008R2, […]
Adding Users to Azure SQL Databases
Learn about the options to add users to Azure SQL Databases including SQL authentication logins, contained SQL users, contained Azure Active Directory users, mapped logins to users - including code examples you can copy and use immediately.
Education to solve the tech skills shortage
I’ve been teaching T-SQL to groups of students since 2014 at the non-profit LaunchCode in St. Louis. LaunchCode provides free tech training, paid apprenticeships, and career support to hundreds of people who have the ability and interest but not always the opportunity to land tech careers. For example, not having a college degree can eliminate […]
Migrating Column Level Encryption from 2008R2 to Azure SQL Database
A migration to Azure is stuck because of an encryption change in SQL Server. Learn how to get around this by using a certificate for encryption.
Run Queries Across Many Data Sources at Once with the CData Query Federation Driver
The CData Query Federation Driver, allows you to federate and aggregate data across drivers as a single database connection. You can combine the Query Federation Driver with other CData JDBC Drivers or CData ADO.NET Providers to access all your SaaS, Big Data, and NoSQL sources as if they were one database. You can query or update data from a single […]
Blogs
Webinar: Navigating the Database Landscape in 2026
By Steve Jones
For a number of years, we’ve produced the State of the Database Landscape report,...
Claude AI Convinced Me Not to Build an iPad App
By Steve Jones
I coach volleyball and I do a lot of stat stuff on paper. I...
A New Word: Dolorblindness
By Steve Jones
dolorblindness – n. the frustration that you’ll never be able to understand another person’s...
Forums
Data Warehouse Toolkit meets Star Schema: The Complete Reference
Is there a good syllabus for reading these two together? (Yes, it's called the...
GPX distance and time analysis in SQL Server
Comments posted to this topic are about the item GPX distance and time analysis...
The DBA is Dead; Long Live the DBA
Comments posted to this topic are about the item The DBA is Dead; Long...
Question of the Day
Changing the AG Listener
In SQL Server 2025, if I want to remove an IP from a listener, what do I do?
See possible answers