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.
What's Important to Your Organization
Some organizations see their IT organization as an expense, and not as valuable as it might otherwise be. Steve has a few comments on why this might not be a good idea, or a good place to work.
How to query private blob storage with SQL and Azure Synapse
Azure storage can be marked Private to control access. Dennes Torres explains how to query private blob storage with SQL and Azure Synapse.
Using Multiple Azure DevOps Organizations with SQL Source Control
Describing a database version control system using an Azure DevOps-hosted Team Foundation Version Control repo and SQL Source Control, and a workaround for authentication problems when connecting to multiple Azure DevOps organizations.
Digitizing Construction
One of the more analog industries is embracing digital change faster and faster./
Blogs
A New Word: on tenderhooks
By Steve Jones
on tenderhooks – adj. feeling the primal satisfaction of being needed by someone, which...
Ramblings about data communities and your contributions, no excuses
By DataOnWheels
I have been active in the data community throughout my career. I have met...
SQL Server Journey till 2025 (brief)
By Vinay Thakur
Quick Summary for Microsoft SQL Server till 2025, I am fortunate to be part...
Forums
Ola Hallengren Index Optimize Maintenance can we have data compression = page
I have a quick question on Ola Hallengren Index Optimize Maintenance . Do we...
how do i map the "current" object entry in for each to one variable
hi, in an ssis for each loop over an object variable called MyListVariable, i...
Simulating Mercury’s Orbital Motion Using Pure T-SQL (NASA 2025 Dataset)
SQL Server is typically viewed as a transactional or analytical database engine. However, it...
Question of the Day
String Similarity I
On SQL Server 2025, when I run this, what is returned?
SELECT EDIT_DISTANCE_SIMILARITY('SQL Server', 'MySQL') See possible answers