SQL Server Enum Implementation: A Single-Row View Strategy for Avoiding Magic Values
Learn about an alternative strategy for avoiding hardcoded literal values in SQL Server queries by using single-row views designed to mimic enum behavior.
Add Nodes to SQL Server 2022 and Windows Server 2022 Failover Cluster
I used the guide in a previous tip on Install SQL Server 2008 on a Windows Server 2008 Cluster Part 1 to install a SQL Server 2008 on a Windows Server 2008 failover cluster (WSFC). Now, I would like to upgrade and migrate my SQL Server 2008 failover clusters to SQL Server 2022 running on Windows Server 2022. What is the process for installation and configuration?
Concurrency and Baseline Control: Level 5 of the Stairway to Reliable Database Deployments
As database development scales across multiple contributors, concurrency becomes an inherent aspect of the process. Changes that are individually correct may still conflict when developed against a shifting baseline. This level introduces a disciplined approach to managing parallel changesets by controlling their scope, identifying overlap, and resolving conflicts through realignment. By ensuring that only one changeset retains its original baseline while others are adapted accordingly, deployments remain predictable and consistent. Once released, changesets are treated as immutable, and further evolution proceeds through new, forward-only changes.
Spending Time in the Office
Many of us work remotely, lots of of hybrid, but some are in the office every day. Steve has a few thoughts on these models.
How to host an AI text embeddings model for SQL Server using Ollama
When we want to use AI-based comparisons of text, via vector search in SQL Server, we need to first generate embeddings for the text. An embedding is a numeric representation of meaning, usually represented by vectors. In this article, I’ll show you how to use Ollama to host a server locally that can be used to generate embeddings.
Index Fragmentation Explained: Page Splits, Logical Reads, and What to Do
Index fragmentation can silently degrade your query performance over time. Learn what happens at the page level, how to measure it, and how to fix it.
What is the Cloud?
Today Steve has a few thoughts on what the cloud is in 2026. See if you like his analogy.
How to Deploy SQL Server on Kubernetes running on Windows
Learn how to deploy SQL Server on Kubernetes using Docker Desktop on Windows. Unlock powerful capabilities for your database.
Why even the best teams struggle with cloud migrations
Grant Fritchey explains the concept of ‘unknown unknowns’, points out what to watch out for in a cloud migration, and offers proven strategies to help your migration go as smooth as possible.
Midjourney, Healthcare?
Certain announcements in AI tell you more about where an industry is heading than any earnings call or research paper ever could, and Midjourney just made one. The company that spent the last few years as the most recognizable name in image generation, the one whose pictures flooded everyone's feeds and defined what people saw […]
Blogs
Power BI Performance in 2026: A Practical Guide to Faster Semantic Models and Reports
By James Serra
Originally published April 2022; substantially updated July 2026. This post is a complete replacement...
Getting Started with Azure SQL Developer on Macbook
The idea behind Azure SQL Developer is for anyone to build, iterate, and test...
AI Experiments: Claude Solved a DAB Issue
By Steve Jones
I’m sure many of you are using AI regularly, perhaps chatting, perhaps using some...
Forums
Another Model, More Data Loss
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Can You Really Downgrade from Enterprise to Standard and Save Thousands? Here's What Happened
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What is CPU Usage?
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Question of the Day
Finding a Database Master Key
Where do I check for the existence of a Database Master Key (DMK) in SQL Server 2025?
See possible answers