DDL Auditing using the Default trace
This article explains how default trace can be used for auditing purposes when combined with PowerShell scripts
Time Slots - An Essential Extension to Calendar Tables
After answering many forum entries from developers asking for help with dealing with SQL that involved time intervals and ranges, Dwain dreamed of a generalized tool that sets up time slots of various sorts without the need to experiment; that could do the heavy lifting, so that developers could do aggregations and reports based on time intervals without the hard graft. Here is Dwain's dream made reality.
Complete Definitions
When we write scripts, we often assume many settings will be at some default value. When we generate scripts, that's not the case. Perhaps we should be sure that we always include the settings we expect.
How to FTP a Dynamically Named Flat File
Learn how you can dynamically name a file in SSIS and then send it using the FTP task.
MongoDB vs. Azure DocumentDB
There’s a new kid on the block in the NoSQL world – Azure DocumentDB. Released in preview back in August 2014 and going Generally Available this month, Azure DocumentDB is Microsoft’s initial foray into the increasingly competitive space of non-relational database management systems. Of course there is no better competitor in this space to measure up against than MongoDB. How close does DocumentDB stack up to MongoDB? Are they even close?
Finding Problem Code
This week Steve Jones has a poll on performance tuning code. Since many people aren't experts, the answers this week might help them learn where to focus their efforts.
The new Analytic functions in SQL Server 2012
SQL Server expert Wayne Sheffield looks into the new T-SQL analytic functions coming in SQL Server 2012.
Automated database deployment workshops
Redgate is offering a 1-day public workshop for anyone who’s interested in automated deployments for SQL Server databases. In the hands-on exercises, you’ll learn how to deploy with PowerShell and Octopus Deploy, work with NuGet packages, handle unexpected changes in your production database (database drift), test your changes with dry run releases, add review and rollback steps, check your deployments have worked, and how to fix things if your deployment fails. Find a workshop near you.
CONCAT and STUFF Functions in SQL Server 2012
The difference between the CONCAT function and the STUFF function lies in the fact that CONCAT allows you to append a string value at the end of another string value whereas STUFF allows you insert or replace a string value into or in between another string value. Read on to learn more about these functions and their real life usage.
Blogs
A New Word: Dolorblindness
By Steve Jones
dolorblindness – n. the frustration that you’ll never be able to understand another person’s...
Claude Code Helps Analyze Test Data Manager Log Files
By Steve Jones
I had a customer ask about analyzing their Test Data Manager (TDM) usage to...
PowerPoint to HTML with Claude AI
By Steve Jones
I had an idea for an animated view of a sales tool, and started...
Forums
GPX distance and time analysis in SQL Server
Comments posted to this topic are about the item GPX distance and time analysis...
The DBA is Dead; Long Live the DBA
Comments posted to this topic are about the item The DBA is Dead; Long...
Changing the AG Listener
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Changing the AG Listener
Question of the Day
Changing the AG Listener
In SQL Server 2025, if I want to remove an IP from a listener, what do I do?
See possible answers