Reclaiming Space After Column Data Type Change
A brief overview of how to reclaim storage space after altering the data type of a column.
Steps to change the server name for a SQL Server machine
In this tip Jugal Shah looks at the steps within SQL Server you need to follow if you change the physical server name for a standalone SQL Server.
Backup Strategy in Azure SQL?
Everybody says that the backup process in Azure SQL is very easy. Is that true? In this new article, we will show how to do it.
Making Complex Table Changes
The complexity of tables makes modifying them over time a challenge, especially as data sizes grow.
Security Shaming
This week Steve Jones looks at a new idea, rating the security of products publicly to try and shame vendors into more secure coding.
Failover
Too many failovers can cause problems, as can those that happen to often. Steve Jones says you need to consider whether you always need to failover in a sitaution.
SELECT INTO vs INSERT INTO on Columnstore
This article compares SELECT INTO and INSERT INTO under different scenarios, and the best approach preferred.
Database Lifecycle Management: Deployment and Release
So often, the unexpected delays in delivering database code are more likely to happen after the developers initiate the release process. The necessary checks and tests can turn up surprises: The handover process can expose deficiencies. With good teamwork, planning and forethought, though, the process can be made almost painless.
Proper Storage and Handling of Personal Names
As database developers, we may need to rethink the way we store and handle personal names
Blogs
Setting Up a Mac for Data Engineering and AI Work
If you work with data pipelines, SQL, notebooks, or machine learning models, a Mac...
Want to look at cloud reporting but not sure what the costs will be?
By ChrisJenkins
Have you been thinking about migrating your reporting to Microsoft Fabric or Snowflake but...
The Joyful Craftsmen and the Revolt BI join forces
The Joyful Craftsmen has become the new owner of Revolt BI. The merger creates...
Forums
SQL Art, Part 4: Happy 4th of July — A British DBA's Guide to Celebrating a War We Don't Talk About
Comments posted to this topic are about the item SQL Art, Part 4: Happy...
Is it worth hiring experts for BI implementation?
When your team is spending more time gathering data manually or generating reports in...
SQL Server Enum Implementation: A Single-Row View Strategy for Avoiding Magic Values
Comments posted to this topic are about the item SQL Server Enum Implementation: A...
Question of the Day
BIT_COUNT I
In SQL Server 2025, I have a table (dbo.UserPermission) that contains this data:
UserID UserPermissions 15 23 37What is returned when I run this code:
select bit_count(UserPermissions) as PermissionCount from dbo.UserPermission where UserID = 3;See possible answers