Resolving could not open a connection to SQL Server errors
Have you ever gotten connectivity errors from SQL Server? Jugal Shah explains the common causes for these errors, and advises on the steps you can take to resolve them.
Database Development Made Easy?
Today Steve Jones has a few thoughts on the complexity and cumbersome nature of database development.
Automating the Synchronization of RDS SQL Server Agent Jobs in a Multi-AZ Environment
Although Azure is the obvious Cloud service to host SQL Server, Amazon Relational Database Service (RDS) for SQL Server is a good choice when your organisation uses AWS. RDS deals with maintenance and monitoring, and supports the use of PowerShell to automate routine tasks. What if a script needs to be triggered by an unscheduled event? Even in this case, RDS can be configured to run scripts to react when something like a failover happens. Laerte Junior shows how easy it is to set up Lambda functions and some PowerShell scripts to automatically synchronise agent jobs after a failover.
Fighting Evil in Your Code: Comments on Comments
One of the most glib generalisations you can make about development work is to say that code should be liberally commented, or conversely that it should never be commented. As always, the truth is more complicated. There are many different types of comment and some types are best treated firmly with the delete key, where others are to be cherished and maintained assiduously. Even though it is hard to find two developers who agree on the topic of commenting, Michael Sorens warily sketches out the issues and the battleground.
Graphing Performance
Are graph databases worth using? Steve Jones looks at a report that questions their value at this time.
TDS Remoting: A Better Way to Create Linked Servers for ODBC Sources
TDS remoting services provide a native SQL experience with local and remote ODBC data sources (contrast with limitations of using OLE DB).
Implementing Azure SQL Data Sync in the Azure Portal
Azure SQL Data Sync, which has been lingering in the Preview mode since its introduction seven years ago, no longer requires the use of the Azure classic portal; you can finally access it by using the current Azure portal. Marcin Policht steps you through the process of implementing Azure SQL Data Sync using this interface.
SQLCMD Mode; Run all SQL files in a directory
SQLCMD Mode gives you the ability to access command line executables via SSMS. Using creative approach, you can automate the execution of all files within a specified directory.
The Career Bucket List
Steve Jones asks you to look forward in your career, perhaps setting goals that move you forward.
Blogs
Houston AI-Lytics 2026–Powerpoint Slides
By Steve Jones
Thanks to everyone for attending my session on running a Local LLM. If you...
The Book of Redgate: Do the Right Things
By Steve Jones
I do believe that Redgate has been very customer focused since it’s inception. I’ve...
GenAI vs Dashboards: Not the Same (And Never Will Be)
By James Serra
There’s a question I’ve been hearing more and more lately, especially as Copilot, Fabric,...
Forums
T-SQL in SQL Server 2025: JSON_ARRAYAGG
Comments posted to this topic are about the item T-SQL in SQL Server 2025:...
Spring Connections and Learning at PASS On Tour
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Spring Connections and Learning at...
Multiple Sequence Values
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Multiple Sequence Values
Question of the Day
Multiple Sequence Values
How do I easily get the next 12 sequence values from a sequence object?
See possible answers