Make It Routine
One of the goals of software is to use the power of the computer to handle repeatable tasks. Steve notes that this can be hard at first, but the goal is that subsequent efforts become routine.
5 T-SQL features that should already exist (2026 SQL Server wish list)
2026 T-SQL wish list covering native Parquet imports, arrays, OVERLAPS, simpler licensing, and cloud storage
AI Observability Challenges in FinOps as a DBA
I was performing research for requested AI work and noticed that I was viewing the risks from a database perspective. As the saying goes in the tech industry, “Once a DBA always a DBA…” As foreign as some of the views were, much of it feels familiar and I simply begin to look at it […]
Another Model, More Data Loss
More issues with the newest GPT-5.6 model, including data loss incidents.
SQL Agent Job Automated Change Capture Process
Build a process that captures your SQL Agent job history and changes across time.
SQL Server Data Warehouse Concepts, Schema Design, and Implementation
A Data Warehouse acts as a centralized repository, is subject oriented, time variant and non-volatile repository. This article covers some concepts that will help you better design these structures.
Can You Really Downgrade from Enterprise to Standard and Save Thousands? Here's What Happened
A real world story of how someone moved from Enterprise Edition to Standard for not only the SQL Server database engine, but also with SSRS, SSIS, and SSAS.
What is CPU Usage?
Tracking metrics and reporting on them to others can help ensure everyone is aware of how your database servers are functioning. However, Steve notes that we have to agree on what we are measuring.
Exposing a SQL injection vulnerability you’ve never heard of
This article documents a SQL injection vulnerability I discovered in sys.sp_dbmmonitorupdate, a Microsoft-signed system stored procedure. For other SQL Server security vulnerabilities I’ve discovered, see the full series here.
Connect an Azure Function to Azure SQL database Using a Managed Identity
In this article, you’ll learn step-by-step setup, Python code implementation, troubleshooting, and best practices to ensure your solution is secure and scalable.
Blogs
A New Word: Gnossienne
By Steve Jones
gnossienne– n. the awareness that someone you’ve known for years still has a private...
Exploring DiskANN: Part I: Understanding the Algorithm before the disk
How I used AI for this postChatGPT to generate images based on info specifically...
Learning Tool – Deepstash
By Brian Kelley
A few months ago I started using Deepstash. Deepstash breaks books into the key...
Forums
When the Token Meter is Zero
Comments posted to this topic are about the item When the Token Meter is...
Understanding Temp Tables and Table Variables in SQL Server
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Understanding Temp Tables and Table...
The Data API Builder MCP Server Tools
Comments posted to this topic are about the item The Data API Builder MCP...
Question of the Day
The Data API Builder MCP Server Tools
The Data API Builder MCP Server, v2.x, includes a number of tools. What actions can these tools perform in your database?
See possible answers