Converting Rows to Columns (PIVOT) and Columns to Rows (UNPIVOT) in SQL Server
Learn how to convert row values into column values (PIVOT) and column values into row values (UNPIVOT) in SQL Server.
How do you use change scripts for your database deployments?
Redgate is researching how people deploy their database changes. This is a very quick survey, and there's an opportunity to sign up for a research call in exchange for a $50 Amazon voucher.
Cellular Automation – SQL Server CPU, IO and Hekaton Stress Testing
This article shows how you can use SQL Server spatial methods, mathematical rules and oscillating patterns to benchmark CPU, IO and Hekaton performance.
Five Minute Refactoring
The debate over how to change code or solve a problem can create arguments that last for years. Steve Jones notes the idea of limiting debates to five minutes is interesting.
The Challenges of Space
CSS Engineers at Microsoft are reporting more space issues with database systems. Steve Jones has a few comments.
Powershell day-to-day Admin tasks: WMI, CIM and PSWA
WMI (Windows Management Instrumentation) is the basic way of querying and changing basic information about any windows server, including SQL Server or Exchange Server. It provides a logical structure and representation of systems and services that are hosted on the server and is essential for anyone who is keen to automate routine monitoring and administration work via PowerShell, especially where many servers are involved in the task.
Stored Procedures and SQL Injection
Why do stored procedures help with security? In this piece, MVP Brian Kelley explains why SQL Injection and information gathering are hampered with stored procedures.
Managing Test Data as a Database CI Component - Part 2
Tim Hidalgo goes through some practical demos to show you how you can automatically keep your testing environments up to date, and ship more robust databases.
Add Styles to Your Reporting Services Reports
Reporting Services provides a robust reporting platform that rivals many other products. New author Adam Aspin stars a series on how you can dress up your reports and maintain good development practices.
Blogs
Advice I Like: Pyramid Schemes
By Steve Jones
If someone is trying to convince you it’s not a pyramid scheme, it’s a...
Using Prompt AI for a Travel Data Analysis
By Steve Jones
I was looking back at my year and decided to see if SQL Prompt...
FinOps for Kubernetes: Leveraging OpenCost, KubeGreen, and Kubecost for Cost Efficiency
In the era of cloud-native applications, Kubernetes has become the default standard platform for...
Forums
Database file shrink issue.
Hi experts, I have a 3+ TB database on a 2019 sql server which...
The North Star for the Year
Comments posted to this topic are about the item The North Star for the...
Multiple Escape Characters
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Multiple Escape Characters
Question of the Day
Multiple Escape Characters
In SQL Server 2025, I run this code (in a database with the appropriate collation):
SELECT UNISTR('%*3041%*308A%*304C%*3068 and good night', '%*') AS 'A Classic';
What is returned? See possible answers