External Article

Schema-Based Access Control for SQL Server Databases

Access-control within the database is important for the security of data, but it should be simple to implement. It is easy to become overwhelmed by the jargon of principals, securables, owners, schemas, roles, users and permissions, but beneath the apparent complexity, there is a schema-based system that, in combination with database roles and ownership-chaining, provides a relatively simple working solution.

External Article

Automating Image-Based Deployment of SQL Server on Azure IaaS VMs - Preparing OS Image

There are several different approaches to automating deployment of SQL Server Infrastructure-as-a-Service virtual machines in Microsoft Azure. Marcin Policht examines an approach that involves uploading or creating a custom operating system image which is well suited for scenarios where you want to deploy a custom-configured SQL Server instance to multiple virtual machines with minimal effort and maximum consistency.

External Article

How DBAs Can Adopt the Craftsman Mindset

The job of a DBA requires a fusion of skill and knowledge. To acquire this requires a craftsman mindset. Craftsmen find that the better they get at the work, the more enjoyable the work gets, and the more successful they become. Deliberate practice, Specialization and an appetite for overcoming difficulty are good habits to deliberately adopt to successfully grow those craftsmanlike skills to the point that you become “so good they can’t ignore you”.

SQLServerCentral Editorial

QA for Data

Often DBAs and developers might make quick data changes to correct user problems or application shortfalls. Steve Jones notes that we can make mistakes, and perhaps we should ensure we QA, or at least log, our changes.

Blogs

Learn about Modern Microsoft Apps in San Diego

By

I wrote about learning today for the editorial: I Can’t Make You Learn. I...

How To Deploy Fabric SQL and Azure SQL Databases with Azure DevOps

By

Fabric has CI/CD built in, but if you've tried to use it for database...

A New Word: Attriage

By

attriage – n. the state of having lost all control over how you feel...

Read the latest Blogs

Forums

SSRS Reminded Me of the Time Microsoft Retired TMG

By Marko Coha

Comments posted to this topic are about the item SSRS Reminded Me of the...

Getting results from a Procedure to join to a query

By bswhipp

I have a need to execute a stored procedure and return the results to...

Upgrade 2016 Standard to 2022 Express

By pdanes

Title pretty much says it all - can this be done? I've tried several...

Visit the forum

Question of the Day

BIT_COUNT II

In SQL Server 2025, I have a table (dbo.UserPermission) that contains this data:

UserID  UserPermissions
15
23
37
4       NULL
What is returned when I run this code:
select bit_count(UserPermissions) as PermissionCount
from dbo.UserPermission
where UserID = 4;

See possible answers