Measuring the Right Things
In this weeks Simple Talk editorial Kathi Kellenberger discusses how to measure the performance of a development team and why you should always make sure you are measuring the right thing, not just the easy thing.
The Sequel to SQL
Phil Factor tacks a few new buzzwords onto his CV and looks forward to joining the new wave of "digital innovators".
The 2019 Home Lab
Steve wants to know what's in your current home lab. Leave a note and help others learn to set one up.
Track Sensitive Data with SQL Server Extended Properties
A major priority in our industry today is protecting and tracking sensitive data. See how you can utilize SQL Server Extended Properties to do just that.
Find out exactly what SQL Monitor can save you
Redgate’s SQL Monitor was named the most popular third-party monitoring tool in this year's State of SQL Server Monitoring Report. Find out exactly what SQL Monitor can save you and your company with the ROI calculator.
Power BI Bubble Map, Shape Map and Filled Map Examples
In this tip we look various map visualizations like Bubble, Shape and Filled Map visualizations you can use with Power BI.
Some T-SQL INSERTs DO Follow the Fill Factor! (SQL Oolie)
With origins from the world of “Submarine ‘Dolphin’ Qualification” questions, an “Oolie” is a difficult question to answer, or the knowledge or fact needed to answer such a question, that may or may not pertain to one's duties but tests one's knowledge of a system or process to the limit. Introduction Contrary to what many […]
Timing is Everything
A phishing attack is directed at engineers, but it could easily be pointed at IT pros.
PolyBase in SQL Server 2019 – The End of ETL?
PolyBase has been around since 2016, but Microsoft is enhancing it in 2019 with the ability to connect to more data sources. You can now use PolyBase to connect to other SQL Server instances, and it’s easy to set up with a wizard. In this article Benjamin Weissman explains what’s new in PolyBase and walks you through setting it up and connecting to an external table.
Problems Caused by Use of the SQL_VARIANT Datatype
Phil Factor illustrates the 'quirks' of the SQL_VARIANT datatype and why it's best to investigate when SQL Prompt alerts you to its use. It is only safe to store data as a SQL_VARIANT, if you explicitly convert it to its true type before you use it.
Blogs
A New Word: the Kinder Surprise
By Steve Jones
the kinder surprise – . the point in your early adolescence when you realize...
VPN + SQL Server Connections: Why Long-Working Setups Suddenly Fail with Msg 10054 and “Connection Broken”
By Tim Radney
Over the past few weeks, I’ve been contacted by multiple customers experiencing the same...
Future IT Roles – Agentic Architect and AI Boom!!
By Vinay Thakur
These days everything is changing to AI World, IT roles are getting changed and...
Forums
There's Too Much to Learn
Comments posted to this topic are about the item There's Too Much to Learn
How to Calculate Distance Between Coordinates in SQL Server
Comments posted to this topic are about the item How to Calculate Distance Between...
SSoL Support on the OS
Comments posted to this topic are about the item SSoL Support on the OS
Question of the Day
SSoL Support on the OS
On which Linux versions is SQL Server 2025 on Linux supported?
See possible answers