Badly Encrypted Databases
Database encryption is hard, and somewhat controversial. Steve thinks we ought to do a better job of it.
Using Client Tools - Level 4 of the Stairway to SQL Server on Linux
In the next level of the Stairway to SQL Server on Linux learn about the client tools available to connect to your instance.
SQL Server Referential Integrity Across Databases Using Triggers
In this tip we cover how you can implement SQL Server cross database referential integrity using triggers.
Dealing with Technical Debt
Technical debt can cripple software development, much like financial debt hurts individuals and organizations. Steve wants to know if you measure your debt today.
Isolation Levels in SQL Server
Details discussion on the different isolation levels available in SQL Server
A Re-Introduction to HIPAA and SOX
SQL Provision can help organizations ensure compliance with regulations such as HIPAA and SOX. But what exactly are these legislations asking of DBAs and how does this impact the work you do? Robert Sheldon provides an overview of the two US regulations in this four-part series.
Using Azure Resource Manager Templates To Provision Azure SQL Databases
Azure provides a number of different methods that can be used in order to implement and configure its resources. Each of the methods differs to some extent in regard to functionality and intended use cases.
Microservice Reality
Phil Factor argues that very few processes, even in well-established businesses, mimic the dreamy clarity and autonomy of a microservice.
SQL Server DevOps with Production Databases and Git
Learn how to start using DevOps techniques to upgrade your database containers with the latest version of your code from a git repository.
Who should have Sysadmin rights?
The point of this article is that only service accounts and/or specific network sql admin accounts should have sysadmin rights.
Blogs
Who Are You Doing It For?
By Brian Kelley
But as I've matured over the years, I came to realize that I needed...
Presenting Twice in May 2026
By alevyinroc
I will be presenting my latest session, Documenting Your Work for Worry-Free Vacations, in-person...
Finding the Next Sequence Value: #SQLNewBlogger
By Steve Jones
I saw a question asking about the next sequence value and decided to try...
Forums
DB Design Methods
I've read a few posts regarding what we use to design DB models and...
Auto Update Statistics not triggering on filtered indexes
I've got a table with 186,703,969 rows, about 300GB of data. There are several...
What is the difference between SQL Server and SQL Database?
I created a SQL Database in Azure Portal but I've just noticed it also...
Question of the Day
An Unusual Identity
What values are returned when I run this code?
CREATE TABLE dbo.IdentityTest2
(
id NUMERIC(10,0) IDENTITY(10,10) PRIMARY KEY,
somevalue VARCHAR(20)
)
GO
INSERT dbo.IdentityTest2
(
somevalue
)
VALUES
( 'Steve')
, ('Bill')
GO
SELECT top 10
id
FROM dbo.IdentityTest2 See possible answers