The Challenge of AI
Steve sees a lot of challenges ahead for AI, especially in the area of labor and employment.
15 Practical Tips for Securing SQL Server
Securing SQL Server isn’t complicated, but it does require consistent attention to the areas where real risks arise, such as privileges, configuration, encryption, patching, and monitoring. This article outlines 15 practical, high-impact steps you can take to harden your SQL Server environment.
Growing Artificial Intelligence
This week Steve Jones discusses artificial intelligence and one of the building blocks that will be needed: data.
Think LSNs Are Unique? Think Again - Preventing Data Loss in CDC ETL
When using only an LSN to track which changes you have processed, you can lose data. This article shows how to avoid this problem.
Query Exercise Answer: Generating Big TempDB Spills
In last week’s Query Exercise, I challenged you to play some code golf to generate big spills with tiny T-SQL.
The AI Bubble and the Weak Foundation Beam
The problem that I continue to struggle with the AI Bubble is not innovation, but who has leverage. The AI industry has quietly constructed a capital stack with too many mutual dependencies and too few independent cash flows. When AI profitability hiccups, the financial impact does not land in one place. It cascades across the entire championship and everyone loses and not all players are equally positioned to survive it. This is the AI Bubble in a foundational nutshell.
Refactoring SQL Code
Refactoring code is a common task in many software development teams. Steve asks if this is something common for database developers as well.
Working with JSON/JSONB Data in PostgreSQL using Python
This article discusses how to work with JSON data in PostgreSQL using Python.
How to Monitor and Optimize Batched Deletion Processes in SQL Server
Batched deletions are a common strategy in SQL Server to manage large datasets without overloading the system, but poorly tuned deletes can cause blocking, long-running transactions, and heavy log usage. Learn how to monitor and optimize these processes for smooth, efficient database performance.
Investing for AI
Steve looks to the future of Microsoft and AI after listening to a podcast with Satya Nadella
Blogs
I recommend Smart Brevity (book) for communications
By Brian Kelley
Following the advice in Smart Brevity improves communication.
SQL Server 2025 Developer Edition – One size fits all
By John
Microsoft has released SQL Server 2025, bringing big improvements to its main database engine....
Monday Monitor Tips: Learning While Using the Tool
By Steve Jones
A customer was asking about what certain items in Redgate Monitor mean. They have...
Forums
Switch partition: NULL boundary id
I have table: t1 in schema1 with 19 billion records. I have another table...
Minimally Viable Security
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Minimally Viable Security
Encoding NULL
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Encoding NULL
Question of the Day
Encoding NULL
What is returned from this code in SQL Server 2025?
SELECT BASE64_ENCODE(NULL)See possible answers