Better Ways to Build a Database
The purpose of a database build is simple: prove that what you have in version control can successfully create a working database, and yet many teams struggle with unreliable and untested database build processes that slow down deployments and prevent the delivery of new functionality. Grant Fritchey explains how to achieve an automated and reliable database build that is only as complex as the database system it needs to create.
Do I Want to Design My Own Transaction Log?
The processing of the Transaction Log seems simple to reproduce, but be sure you consider all the possibilities.
On-Time, or Not
Today we have a guest editorial from Andy Warren that looks at the respect, understanding and compromise we might make with each other.
The New Men of IT
According to the New Men of IT, the industry changes so frequently that experience and qualifications quickly become obsolete and irrelevant. The argument won't wash with Phil Factor.
SQL Server Integration Services SSIS Package Configuration
As you develop, test and deploy SSIS packages, you need to specify different parameter values for things like database connection strings, file and folder paths, etc. without having to edit the individual SSIS packages to make these changes. Ray Barley looks at how you can accomplish this goal by taking advantage of the configuration capabilities that SSIS provides, in particular the SQL Server package configuration.
BYOD
In the future we may be required to bring our own devices to work. Does that make sense? Would you want to get an allowance and purchase your own laptop?
Stairway to T-SQL: Beyond The Basics Level 5: Storing Data in Temporary Tables
There are times when retrieving data for complex business requirement requires you to temporarily store one or more results sets for a short period of time. Typically these temporary tables are stored in the scope of the current connection, but they may also need to be available across multiple connections.
Queries to Monitor SQL Server Replication Backlog
When replicating data to other servers it is always a concern that the subscribers may be far behind. In this article, Tim Smith shares some queries to help monitor SQL Server replication row counts.
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Forums
Backing Up a DMK
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The Quiet Part
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BIT_COUNT in SQL Server
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Question of the Day
Backing Up a DMK
In SQL Server 2025, I have a database with a Database Masker Key (DMK). I want to back up this key and keep a copy offline. When do I have to open this key before running the backup?
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