Non-Standard Delimiters for Columns and Rows Using SQL Server Bulk Insert
In this tip, Tim Smith looks at how to use bulk insert to load data into SQL Server when the column and row terminators are not what you typically see.
The DBA's Essential Index Monitoring and Maintenance Tasks
Indexes can be the most critical part of any database. they can drastically improve performance or they can ruin it. Wise management is the key to success.
Introduction to the Biml Language
Biml or Business Intelligence Markup Language is an open-source XML dialect to generate Integration Services (SSIS) packages. Take a look at this Biml tutorial to learn how you can use Biml to generate SSIS packages.
TDE with Automatic Database Seeding
Transparent Data Encryption on an Availability Group and Automatic Database Seeding
Azure Cosmos DB Partitioning
One of the most important design decisions that must be made when planning deployment of Azure Cosmos DB involves logical partitioning of data that will populate target collections, graphs, or tables. Selecting the optimal partitioning model has both performance and pricing implications. In this article, we will explore the rationale behind these implications and review the partitioning options.
Stairway to U-SQL Level 19: Azure Data Lake Metadata with PowerShell
Need to inspect your Data Lake objects and files? Want to automate the process? Find out how with PowerShell.
Questions About Data Breaches that You Were Too Shy to Ask
News reports about data breaches are common occurrences. Even the companies that exist to keep our data safe are not immune. William Brewer answers the question about data breaches that you may be too shy to ask.
Predictions for the Future
Steve Jones looks forward with a few predictions for how the world might change for SQL Server professionals.
Blogs
Catching Up On SQLOrlando
By Andy Warren
Somehow two years have elapsed since my last update; hopefully it won’t be that...
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...
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