SQL Window Functions in SQL Server, Oracle and PostgreSQL
In this article we look at using Window Functions in SQL Server, Oracle and PostgreSQL to see the differences and similarities of the syntax.
Tell us about how you monitor your databases
The 2021 State of Database Monitoring survey is now open, and we want to know how you’re currently tackling your server, instance, and database monitoring. By taking part, you’ll contribute to the sole industry-wide report on database monitoring, and provide insights into how SQL Server professionals manage their estates and what challenges they face. Plus, you’ll receive an advanced copy of the report and entry to a prize draw to win a $500 Amazon voucher.
The Thriving Data Community
A while back I wrote an editorial about how I believed the data community would easily continue after the PASS organization was no more. I'm pleased as punch to be able to report that I was right. Not because I enjoy being right (I do, who doesn't), but because I care very much for the […]
Things We Are Missing
I read this great little blog post called "Trying to Notice What's Missing." It's not real long and it's worth your time. If you'd like a TLDR, the author points out how in-person meetings at conferences resulted in enhancements to open source software due to superior, in-person, communication. Strictly on a personal level, I miss […]
An Efficient Set-based Solution for Islands and Gaps
After reading a recent article on identifying islands and gaps in sequential numbers, one of our readers was inspired to develop a more efficient solution for fragmented data. New Author Goce Smilevski brings us his solution and supporting data to show how this can be done better.
Finding a Break
A year of remote work has made life hard, and harder to get a break from the same environment you are in most of the time.
Code Review & DevOps
A frequent question among those learning about DevOps is "How do we do code reviews in this automated process?". Grant Fritchey shares three options - and a word of caution - to ensure you can appropriately understand the changes happening in your system.
What to monitor for SQL Server security
Keeping databases secure is critical. In this article, Robert Sheldon explains what to monitor for SQL Server security.
Load Multiple Excel Files and Worksheets with SSIS
I was asked to load multiple Excel files, each with multiple Excel worksheets. I found a very easy way to complete this in SSIS using a Script Task. This article will explain how I did this. For this example, I have two Excel files, File1.xlsx and File2.xlsx, as shown here: Each Excel File has three […]
Blogs
A New Word: los vidados
By Steve Jones
los vidados – n. the half-remembered acquaintances you knew years ago, who you might...
In-Person CISA Training – April 13-16, 2026
By Brian Kelley
I will be leading an in-person Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) exam prep class...
EightKB 2026
EightKB is back again for 2026! The biggest online SQL Server internals conference is...
Forums
query to track time spent on individual tasks in SSIS
Hi everyone I am looking at building a query to determine how much time...
SQL Server Transactional Replication from Always On Availability Groups to Azure SQL Database
Comments posted to this topic are about the item SQL Server Transactional Replication from...
Hidden Heroes
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Hidden Heroes
Question of the Day
Identities and Sequences I
When thinking of the Identity property for auto incrementing columns and sequences for the same action, which are explicitly linked to increment a number in a table when a new row is added?
See possible answers