SQL Server function to convert integer date to datetime format
In this tip we look at code you can use to convert an integer date into a datetime format. This is an issue you will face when working the history data for SQL Server Agent Jobs.
Unit Testing, Databases, and You
As database changes are added to the DevOps pipeline, unit testing of those changes becomes crucial. In this article, Adam Hafner describes unit testing and how it applies to databases.
The Worst Comments
Comments in code can be tricky, but certainly some are better than others. What are your bad examples?
Monitor SQL Server Integration Services Packages Stuck in Running Status
In this tip we look at a script to find SSIS packages that are stuck executing and how to end the package execution.
SQL Server Triggers Pros and Cons
In this tip we look at some of the advantages and disadvantages of using triggers in SQL Server.
A Plunge Into TOP
Introduction TOP is one of the many syntactical operators available in T-SQL and at a first view, it could seem very simple and not particularly interesting. According to the official documentation, it “limits the rows returned in a query result set to a specified number of rows or percentage of rows”. The following is the […]
Monitoring After Deployment
This Friday's poll looks at the time after deployment. Can you tell if things were successful? Do you have a formal way to determine if the changes are causing issues?
How to Eliminate Gaps in Identity Values in SQL Server by Disabling the Identity Cache
Learn how to remove gaps in Identity values in SQL Server caused by Identity Cache.
SQL Clone for Unit Testing Databases
Phil Factor demonstrates how to use SQL Clone to create 'disposable' SQL Server databases, for development and testing work. You can spin up a clone, use it to unit test your code, messing up the clone in the process, then reset the clone in seconds, ready for the next test.
SQL Server Common Table Expression vs Temp Table
In this tip we look at how to use Common Table Expressions CTE in SQL Server including the syntax, use cases, using more than 1 CTE at the same time and recursive CTEs with a parameter.
Blogs
Getting Started with the MSSQL AI Agent in VS Code
By Steve Jones
Recently I was working in VS Code and I saw a walkthrough for the...
Summer Speaking Summary 2025
By alevyinroc
In the blink of an eye, summer has passed. I don’t know about you,...
From Chaos to Clarity: How Microsoft Purview Streamlines Data Governance
By Chris Yates
In today’s digital landscape, data is both a strategic asset and a potential liability....
Forums
Azure elastic query credential question
I am trying to check out elastic query between two test instances we have...
Change Tracking Data Retention Options
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Change Tracking Data Retention Options
Requiring Technical Debt Payments
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Requiring Technical Debt Payments
Question of the Day
Change Tracking Data Retention Options
If I am running this code:
ALTER DATABASE AdventureWorks2017 SET CHANGE_TRACKING = ON (CHANGE_RETENTION=4 xxx);What are the possible choices for xxx? See possible answers