SQL Server MSDB Database Tutorial
In this tutorial we will cover common questions related to the SQL Server msdb database. This is one of the standard system databases that are part of every SQL Server installation. This tutorial will give you a better idea of what the msdb database.
Hacking the Admin
A Twitter hack brings into the question of who can make changes in production for Steve.
Stairway to Columnstore Indexes Level 13: Improvements in SQL Server 2016
This stairway series was started in 2015. As such, the focus was on SQL Server 2012 and SQL Server 2014 only. When SQL Server 2016 was released, with lots of improvements in the columnstore technology, I decided to finish the planned levels with the original focus on SQL Server 2012 and 2014, and add one extra level with a brief overview of the improvements available in SQL Server 2016.
Automate Database Restore for SQL Server
In this article we look at how to automate a SQL Server database restore using a PowerShell script.
TDE BYOK and Geo-Replication in Azure SQL DB
Recently a customer asked me for help with setting up a test of an Azure SQL Database in the single database tier with Geo-Replication to work with Transparent Data Encryption (TDE) with a customer-managed key, also known as Bring Your Own Key (BYOK). It is very simple to do it when you use service-managed keys, […]
Power BI Incremental Refresh for SQL Sources
In this article we look at the incremental refresh feature when working with Power BI data sources and how to implement for your reports.
A Dedicated Space
Today Steve looks at one possible future of offices, which might be something we own.
Loading data in Azure Synapse Analytics using Azure Data Factory
This article shows a basic Azure Data Factory pipeline to load data into Azure Synapse.
Blogs
Learn Better: Pause to Review More
By Brian Kelley
If you want to learn better, pause more in your learning to intentionally review.
Azure SQL Managed Instance Next-Gen: Bring on the IOPS
By John
If you’ve used Azure SQL Managed Instance General Purpose, you know the drill: to...
SQL, MDX, DAX – the languages of data
By DataOnWheels
Ramblings of a retired data architect Let me start by saying that I have...
Forums
Two foreign keys to the same table. Can't cascade deletes.
Not sure if this is really a relational theory question but it seems about...
Connecting Power BI to SSAS and effective user not working
Hi everyone, Below is a consolidated summary of what we validated Architecture & data...
High Availability setup - has anyone seen this method?
Hi all, I recently moved to a new employer who have their HA setup...
Question of the Day
Encoding URLs
I have this data in a SQL Server 2025 table:
CREATE TABLE Response ( ResponseID INT NOT NULL CONSTRAINT ResponsePK PRIMARY KEY , ResponseVal VARBINARY(5000) ) GOIf I want to get a value from this table that I can add to a URL in a browser, which of these code items produces a result I can use? See possible answers