Data Analyst AI tool
See how ChatGPT can be used to analyze a dataset, produce charts, and train a model.
2025-05-12
389 reads
Articles
Evaluating the Randomness of SQL Server Random Number Functions
Microsoft provides T-SQL developers with three functions (rand, newid, and crypt_gen_random) for generating random numbers. Each of these functions is effective at returning random values, but feature sets associated with each function make them best suited to different use cases. This tip’s Solution section presents an overview of common use cases for random numbers in SQL Server along with references to learn more about random numbers in SQL Server.
2025-05-12
Date and Time Calculations Made Easy with EOMONTH, DATEDIFF, and DATEADD
Learn how to work with dates and calculate particular dates or elapsed time periods with some of the functions available in SQL Server.
2025-05-09
3,159 reads
Exploring the SQL Server CHOOSE Function
I preface a lot of what I write with whether or not it is for a “practical” use. One of the Simple Talk authors used this function in a forthcoming article. and I realized I hadn’t heard of it before (or I forgot about it… which is not completely unlikely.) The practical use was to generate some data and have at least a little variety to the values.
2025-05-09
SQL Server Cursor Example
I know SQL cursors exist, but I am not sure how or why to use them. Can you provide a SQL cursor example? Can you give any guidance on when to use a SQL Server cursor?
2025-05-07
Building AI Calls into the First Responder Kit
No, that isn’t an April 1st joke, heh. I know a lot of vendors are shoving AI down your throat, but I can think of a few ways I actually want to get quick, easy advice from large language models (LLM) when I’m calling the sp_Blitz scripts:
2025-05-05
Modern Streaming Architecture Serverless Pool with Spark Streaming
With the ubiquity of real-time data, organizations need streaming systems that are scalable, easy to use, and easy to integrate into business applications. Structured Streaming is a new high-level streaming API in Apache Spark based on my experience with Spark Streaming. In this article, we show structured streaming data written into Spark Tables and consumed by reporting Analytic for reporting needs.
2025-05-02
1,140 reads
Return stored procedure parameter values to a calling stored procedure
In a previous topic we discussed how to pass parameters into a stored procedure, but another option is to pass parameter values back out from a stored procedure. One option for this may be that you call another stored procedure that does not return any data, but returns parameter values to be used by the calling stored procedure.
2025-05-02
How to Load a Date Dimension in Microsoft Fabric using Macros in dbt?
The article A gentle introduction to dbt explains how you can get dbt in the cloud version, how you can set up a free account, and how to create a connection to a Microsoft Fabric warehouse.
2025-04-30
Navigating Your Test Data Challenges: Insights and Solutions
Join Redgate on May 1st for an insightful webinar cohosted with analyst firm, Bloor Research, featuring independent Senior Analyst Daniel Howard and Redgate's Steve Jones. Discover the biggest test data challenges, the latest approaches like AI synthetic data generation, and how effective test data management can benefit your entire organization. Don't miss out on this opportunity to gain valuable insights and solutions.
2025-04-30 (first published: 2025-04-07)
Blogs
T-SQL Tuesday #196 – Two risky career decisions I made
By DataOnWheels
The T-SQL Tuesday topic this month comes James Serra. What career risks have you...
T-SQL Tuesday #192: What career risks have you taken?
This T-SQL Tuesday is hosted by the one and only James Serra – literally...
T-SQL Tuesday #196: Taking Risks
By Steve Jones
This month we have a new host, James Serra. I’ve been trying to find...
Forums
OPENQUERY Flexibility
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Question of the Day
OPENQUERY Flexibility
Which of these are valid OPENQUERY() uses?
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