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
Demo for Parameter Sniffing and Memory Grant Feedback
Disclaimer: The following is built with Claude Code. Just need to justify my $100/mo...
My Social Media Rules
By Brian Kelley
I developed these rules a while back, before COVID. I had a period of...
Why Use TRY_PARSE(): #SQLNewBlogger
By Steve Jones
Someone asked why I would use TRY_PARSE after I posted a question at SQL...
Forums
The SQL Server MCP Server
Comments posted to this topic are about the item The SQL Server MCP Server
The Hidden Danger of Wildcard Operators In Join Operations
Comments posted to this topic are about the item The Hidden Danger of Wildcard...
A Worse Computer; A Better Car
Comments posted to this topic are about the item A Worse Computer; A Better...
Question of the Day
The SQL Server MCP Server
How do I get an MCP server for my SQL Server 2025 database from Microsoft?
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