Random Number Generator in SQL using Marsaglia Polar
How can we build a random number generator using Marsaglia Polar method in SQL Server without the use of external tools?
FinOps - the new name for performance tuning
This year I have been speaking with an increasing number of people about FinOps and what it means. Fundamentally, it is all about getting a handle on the cost for our technology spend. When we step back and look at the bigger picture it also has ramifications on corporate Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) programs […]
T-SQL in SQL Server 2025: The PRODUCT Function
Earlier this year at SQL Saturday Austin 2025, Conor Cunningham gave a keynote that discussed the engineering efforts in the Austin office around SQL Server. One of the things he mentioned was PRODUCT(), which was written there and added to SQL Server 2025 to help with the GDP calculation for the US government. Yep, that's […]
How to Query JSON Data Quickly in SQL Server, Part 1: Pre-2025
Before SQL Server 2025, if you want to store JSON data in Microsoft SQL Server or Azure SQL DB, and you want fast queries, the easiest way is to:
Done is Better than Good
Getting something done is important, but so is the quality level. Steve has a few thoughts today.
Identify Unused Tables in SQL Server and Azure SQL
This article presents a way to discover those tables that are unused over a period of time, along with suggestions on how to get rid of these tables.
SQL Declare Variable Code Examples
This tutorial will discuss using variables with SQL DECLARE along with various examples.
Filtered Indexes: The Developer’s Secret Weapon in SQL Server
Learn about filtered indexes in SQL Server, how they work, and how they can help improve performance.
Is Data Modeling Common?
Today Steve tasks data modeling and wonders how many people still build and maintain models.
Blogs
Database AI Agents: The Read-Only Rule
By Arun Sirpal
Fourth in a series on Ai and databases. What Read-Only Advisory Actually Means A...
Creating a SQL Stored Procedure to Load a SCD2
By DataOnWheels
This is a blog that I am writing for future me and hopefully it’ll...
Funny Money: #SQLNewBlogger
By Steve Jones
While wandering around the documentation looking for some Question of the Day topics, I...
Forums
Backup Availability Group
Please I am hoping for some feedback Specifications: Windows Server 2022 SQL Server 2022...
How Do the Experts Become Experts?
Comments posted to this topic are about the item How Do the Experts Become...
Stairway to Reliable Database Deployments Level 4 – Preparing for Production Deployment
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Stairway to Reliable Database Deployments...
Question of the Day
Secure Communications
As of June 2026, what is the best version of TLS to use with SQL Server?
See possible answers