Hidden Formatting Troubles with STR() (SQL Spackle)
Fill in another bit of your T-SQL knowledge about STR(). It right justifies, rounds, and controls the output width of columns. Sounds perfect but here's why you might not want to use it.
Parameter Sniffing in SQL Server 2019: Adaptive Memory Grants
This week, Brent is demoing SQL Server 2019 features that he's really excited about, and they all center around a theme we all know and love: parameter sniffing.
Reporting on the Status of Clones During Database Development
Phil Factor uses SQL Clone, PowerShell and Visio to build a live 'clone network' diagram showing when there was last activity on each clone, and the number of object changes made to each one, alongside useful metadata such as the clone and image sizes, who created them and when.
The Database Giveth and Taketh Away
A database error at Southwest Airlines confused some customers and was embarrassing. Steve worries that we might want to be more careful in the future about making database mistakes.
Using Backup Encryption with an External Certificate
Learn how to load an external certificate into SQL Server to encrypt your backups.
Reporting Services Basics: Overview and Installation
SQL Server Reporting Services has changed quite a bit since it was introduced in 2004. Despite new analytic services like Power BI, SSRS is still a popular tool for paginated reports. In this article, Kathi Kellenberger explains the architecture of SSRS and walks you through installing an SSRS development environment on your workstation or laptop.
SQL in the City Summits – UK, US & Down Under
Redgate are inviting senior data professionals to attend one of the upcoming SQL in the City Summit events taking place in April, May and June. If you’re interested in learning how your business can benefit from implementing Compliant Database DevOps this event is for you. Find out who’s presenting and register for a Summit near you today. Register now
Tracking the number of active sessions on a database using SQL Monitor
Phil Factor creates a simple custom metric to track the number of sessions that have recently done a read or write on a database. Having established a baseline for the metric, you'll be able to spot, and investigate the cause of, any wild deviations from normal behavior.
Can Azure Stack Reduce Software Development Costs?
Azure Stack provides a hybrid cloud infrastructure platform. Steve wonders if this really helps reduce software development costs.
Blogs
A New Word: los vidados
By Steve Jones
los vidados – n. the half-remembered acquaintances you knew years ago, who you might...
In-Person CISA Training – April 13-16, 2026
By Brian Kelley
I will be leading an in-person Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) exam prep class...
EightKB 2026
EightKB is back again for 2026! The biggest online SQL Server internals conference is...
Forums
Vectors in SQL Server 2025
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Odd Sequences
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Odd Sequences
Everything is the right question away
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Everything is the right question...
Question of the Day
Odd Sequences
What values are returned from this code?
CREATE SEQUENCE NumericSequence
AS NUMERIC(5,1)
START WITH 1.0
INCREMENT BY 0.1;
GO
SELECT NEXT VALUE FOR NumericSequence
GO
SELECT NEXT VALUE FOR NumericSequence
GO See possible answers