DevOps and “Shift Left” for Databases
The easiest way of explaining how a DevOps approach to database deployment can dramatically speed up the process is to use the term ‘shift-left’. By performing, or at least...
One way to get an index seek for a leading %wildcard
In an effort to make leading wildcard searches sargable, Aaron Bertrand plays around with a trigram-type implementation in SQL Server.
Human and Machine Learning
Machine learning and AI are becoming more and more prevalent, which Steve Jones thinks is good.
Performance Dashboard Error: Could not find stored procedure
In this article, you will learn how to troubleshoot error when you try to launch the main Dashboard Report.
The Secure Medical Data Challenge
This week Steve looks at the challenges of security for medical data.
Encrypting SQL Server: Using an Encryption Hierarchy to Protect Column Data
SQL Server Encryption is an essential part of what is required for protecting data. Column-level encryption can be a very effective way of doing this. In the first in a series of articles on the theme of SQL Server Encryption, Robert Sheldon once more makes it all seem easy.
The Last Week for SQL Bits 2017 Discounts
This is the last week for a discounted registration to SQL Bits 2017. The price goes up after Mar 4, so register today.
Enumerate Windows Group Members
Here a quick script showing how to get all the Active Directory users in a AD group.
Blogs
Advice I Like: Knots
By Steve Jones
Learn how to tie a bowline knot. Practice in the dark. With one hand....
Shifting Mindsets: Why FinOps is Essential for Cloud Efficiency
By HeyMo0sh
As a DevOps practitioner, I’ve always focused on performance, scalability, and automation. But as...
March 2026 SQL Server Security Updates
By Brian Kelley
On Patch Tuesday, in addition to OS and Office security patches, Microsoft also released...
Forums
Multiple Deployment Processes
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How to Use sqlpackage to Detect Schema Drift Between Azure SQL Databases
Comments posted to this topic are about the item How to Use sqlpackage to...
Upgrading Admin Queries
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Upgrading Admin Queries
Question of the Day
Upgrading Admin Queries
I have a query from a former DBA that we run on SQL Server 2025 to check on database metadata. This query references sys.sysaltfiles. I want to refactor this code to be more modern. Which DMV should I reference instead?
See possible answers