Put your Database under Source Control
This article will walk you through a demostration on linking your DB to SubVersion with RedGate SQL Source Control.
SQL Server v.Next : STRING_AGG() performance
Aaron Bertrand takes an initial look at the performance of a new function, STRING_AGG, in SQL Server v.Next CTP 1.1.
Delaying Patches is Problematic
Many of our security issues come down to not patching software when there are updates available.
SQL Server in Azure Virtual Machines - Performance Optimizations
When deploying SQL Server in an Azure virtual machine, you can take advantage of several Azure Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) features that enhance performance of the SQL Server database engine. This article explores a couple of these enhancements, with a particular focus on increased I/O throughput facilitated by the Solid State Drive (SSD) storage available on most Azure virtual machines (VMs).
A Possible Alternative to SQL UNPIVOT
Understand how to use the SQL UNPIVOT statement and then an equivalent using XML and XPath Querying in SQL Server.
The Development Lab
This week Steve Jones looks at hardware and the ways in which you might assemble a set of computers for building software.
Writing the Correct Query is Important
Making simple mistakes in queries can have far reaching consequences.
Free Webinar – Database DevOps Demo
Learn how to extend DevOps practices to SQL Server databases in our free demo webinar on January 17th. Microsoft Data Platform MVP, Steve Jones will demonstrate how Redgate’s database automation tools plug into Git, Jenkins & Octopus Deploy. Learn how to branch and merge with SQL Source Control then automate the build and deployment of changes with DLM Automation. Register now.
Using Power BI Desktop to Visualize SQL Server Metadata
You can easily use PowerBI Desktop to show graphically how your database is growing, which tables are taking the most space, how various parts of SQL Server is consuming memory, its use of indexes and so on. Sure, you can create graphs in SSMS, but with PowerBI, you can create reports that you can then publish to others, and which allow drill-down. It is a great way to get familiar with PowerBI Desktop as well. Rob Sheldon shows how simple it is to do.
Scrubbing Personally Identifiable Information
Managing personally identifiable information when moving databases to unsecure environment can be challenging. With this flexible and extendable solution for scrubbing it, you can save yourself some time and effort.
Blogs
Database AI Agents: The Read-Only Rule
By Arun Sirpal
Fourth in a series on Ai and databases. What Read-Only Advisory Actually Means A...
Creating a SQL Stored Procedure to Load a SCD2
By DataOnWheels
This is a blog that I am writing for future me and hopefully it’ll...
Funny Money: #SQLNewBlogger
By Steve Jones
While wandering around the documentation looking for some Question of the Day topics, I...
Forums
Backup Availability Group
Please I am hoping for some feedback Specifications: Windows Server 2022 SQL Server 2022...
How Do the Experts Become Experts?
Comments posted to this topic are about the item How Do the Experts Become...
Stairway to Reliable Database Deployments Level 4 – Preparing for Production Deployment
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Stairway to Reliable Database Deployments...
Question of the Day
Secure Communications
As of June 2026, what is the best version of TLS to use with SQL Server?
See possible answers