Some time ago, Phil Factor wrote his booklet 'SQL Code Smells', collecting together a whole range of SQL Coding practices that could be considered to indicate the need for a review of the code. It was published as 119 code smells, even though there were 120 of them at the time. Phil Factor has continued to collect them and the current state of the art is reflected in this article. SQL Prompt is committed to cover as many as possible of them. Phil has also updated his book, which is free to download.

Packaged-Application Database Nightmares - A Horror Story

by John F. Tamburo

SQLServerCentral.com

packaged applications

The business decides on a packaged application and buys it. After installation, you look at the schema and realize that is is a nightmare. How do you manage this nightmare?

Would You Move to Linux for Price?

by Steve Jones

SQLServerCentral.com

Editorial

There's a sale on the price of SQL Server for Linux and Steve wonders if people will move.

Preventing Invalid Data Early In An ETL Flow

by Additional Articles

MSSQLTips.com

ETL (Extract Transform and Load)

In this post, Tim Smith will look at some of the considerations for both data rules and logic to prevent invalid data early in the ETRL process.

Auto-Deleting Data

by Steve Jones

SQLServerCentral.com

Editorial

Steve likes that idea of auto deleting data, especially with legislation increasing.

Random Word Generation for Data Scrubbing

by John F. Tamburo

SQLServerCentral.com

RAND()

With HIPAA and GDPR requiring your careful scrubbing of data for lower environments, random word generation promises to be a huge helper. Read here how to do it.

Introduction to Azure SQL Managed Instance

by Additional Articles

Database Journal

Azure SQL Managed Instance

Microsoft currently offers two built-in methods of running production SQL Server databases in Azure. The first relies on the ability of Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) Azure virtual machines to host a variety of on-premises workloads, including SQL Server instances. The second one leverages Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS)-based Azure SQL Database. With the introduction of the Azure SQL Managed Instance service, you have a third option, which combines the benefits of its two predecessors.