Better SQL is a Good Career Investment
Today Steve notes that learning to be better at SQL is a good career investment, more for you than your boss.
Connect to MySQL Through SSH Using the CData MySQL Driver
Learn how to use the CData MySQL connector to access data across SSH.
Improving performance with instant file initialization
Instant file initialization can speed up database creation, file growth, and restores. Greg Larsen explains how to configure it and how it works.
Microsoft at PASS Data Community Summit 2021
We're thrilled to welcome Microsoft as the Premier Sponsor at this year's PASS Data Community Summit. The Microsoft team will be a fundamental part of the conference program and activities through educational sessions, product deep-dives and announcements, Microsoft-focused workshops, keynotes, and more. We're excited to continue this relationship in support of the global data community.
The Slow Upgrade of SQL Server Versions
It seems that instances are being upgraded about every ten years, according to Steve's interpretation of some reports. Do you agree? Let us know how often you upgrade.
Using Coalesce to Clean Up Reports
One of the lesser used functions is COALESCE(), used to allow you to return one value from a list of those that are potentially NULL. This short pieces gives a few examples where this is useful?
SQL VIEW Comparison in SQL Server, Oracle and PostgreSQL
In this article we look at the similarities and differences for views in SQL Server, Oracle and PostgreSQL. We also look at indexed views, materialized views and updatable views.
Testing Flyway Migrations Using Transactions
When you are using Flyway, how can you test your database migration script first to make sure it works exactly as you intended before you let Flyway execute it? Phil Factor explains.
What Counts for a DBA: Skill
Practice makes perfect:” right? Well, not exactly. The reality of it all is that this saying is an untrustworthy aphorism. I discovered this in my “younger” days when I was a passionate tennis player, practicing and playing 20+ hours a week. No matter what my passion level was, without some serious coaching (and perhaps a […]
Docker Desktop on Windows 10 for SQL Server : Step by Step
This short article explains how to quickly run SQL Server in a Docker container, for both Windows and Linux.
Blogs
Looking Back at the Redgate 2026 Company Kickoff
By Steve Jones
Last week I spent a few days in Cambridge, UK for the Redgate Company...
Using AI for Git Hooks
By Steve Jones
Recently I had someone internally ask about whether SQL Source Control supports Git Hooks....
Flyway Tips: AI Helps with Commit Messages
By Steve Jones
At Redgate, we’re experimenting with how AI can help developers and DBAs become better...
Forums
SQL Agent job running gMSA cannot backup to NAS target
I'm running a group MSA for the database engine and SQL Agent in a...
sys.query_store_query question
All, My query is as follows: SET DATEFORMAT dmy SELECT p.query_id, DATEADD(MICROSECOND,-rs.max_duration,rs.first_execution_time) AS starttime,...
Encoding Strings
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Encoding Strings
Question of the Day
Encoding Strings
I have this code in SQL Server 2025. What is the result?
DECLARE @message VARCHAR(50) = 'Hello SQL Server 2025!'; DECLARE @encoded VARCHAR(MAX); SET @encoded = BASE64_ENCODE(@message); SELECT @encoded AS EncodedResult;See possible answers