New release: Data Masker 6.3 for SQL Server
The newest version of Data Masker for SQL Server includes a new rules window with in-product guidance for choosing the right rule, and a new menu bar for fast access to the items you need.
SQL Server 2019 CTP 3.2 Available
Microsoft announced CTP 3.2 for SQL Server 2019 just a few days ago, but many people working with SQL Server don’t care about this. I run into people at user group meetings and SQL Saturdays who are stuck supporting versions as old as SQL Server 2000, and SQL Server 2008 R2 is still prevalent. I’m […]
SQL-On-Hadoop: Hive - Part II
Running Interactive and Batch SQL Queries on Hadoop and other distributed clusters using SQL.
Azure Data Factory Stored Procedure Activity Transformation Activities
In this post we will discuss Azure Data Factory transformation related pipeline activities using Stored Procedure activity.
Dealing with Server Objects, Settings and Features when Provisioning Databases
If we want the behavior and performance of our test databases to mimic that observed in production, then we must consider not only the database but also the server. Grant Frtichey reviews the server-level objects, settings and features that we may need to consider, and then shows how to 'synchronize' the linked servers, user logins and SQL Agent jobs, as part of an automated provisioning process, using SQL Provision.
A Clock With Benefits
Explaining how computers work can be hard for technical people, but it's important for us to help our clients, customers, and managers appreciate why building new software is hard.
Cross Database Queries in Azure SQL Database
Cross database queries in Azure SQL Database aren't as straightforward as you might think, but they aren't hard to implement. Follow along to learn how to implement them.
Modeling Time
There are those who argue that time doesn’t really exist; it’s just an illusion. That debate won’t keep you from storing and manipulating dates and time in SQL Server. In this article, Joe Celko discusses some of the many ways that SQL Server treats temporal data types.
Static Data and Database Builds
Whichever way you wish to ensure that a database, when built, has all the data that will enable it to function properly, there are reasonably simple ways of doing it. Phil Factor explains the alternatives.
Blogs
Advice I Like: Pyramid Schemes
By Steve Jones
If someone is trying to convince you it’s not a pyramid scheme, it’s a...
Using Prompt AI for a Travel Data Analysis
By Steve Jones
I was looking back at my year and decided to see if SQL Prompt...
FinOps for Kubernetes: Leveraging OpenCost, KubeGreen, and Kubecost for Cost Efficiency
In the era of cloud-native applications, Kubernetes has become the default standard platform for...
Forums
Database file shrink issue.
Hi experts, I have a 3+ TB database on a 2019 sql server which...
The North Star for the Year
Comments posted to this topic are about the item The North Star for the...
Multiple Escape Characters
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Multiple Escape Characters
Question of the Day
Multiple Escape Characters
In SQL Server 2025, I run this code (in a database with the appropriate collation):
SELECT UNISTR('%*3041%*308A%*304C%*3068 and good night', '%*') AS 'A Classic';
What is returned? See possible answers