Restore a Backup of a TDE Database to Another Server: Level 2 of the Stairway to TDE
In the second level of the stairway to TDE, we examine how you can restore your databases on another instance after moving the encryption certificate.
Transparent Data Encryption Using Certificates and EKM - Level 1 of the Stairway to TDE
The first level of the Stairway to TDE will explain how the feature works and how to set this up on one of your instances and databases.
Where to Test Your Code
When and where should you test code? Steve has a few thoughts when we consider the database as a crucial part of our software.
Two Tweaks for Faster Backups with Ola Hallengren’s Scripts
Ola Hallengren’s free maintenance solution is widely used as a replacement for SQL Server maintenance plans. It’s a more powerful, flexible tool for backups, corruption checking, and index & statistics updates. If you’re using it for backups, there are two quick, easy changes that can dramatically reduce your nightly job runtimes.
How to Rename a Column in SQL Server
Learn how to effectively rename columns in SQL Server using our comprehensive guide. Explore the use of sp_rename, limitations, and best practices
What Do You Want to Learn?
There's a survey available to give your input for what topics you'd like to learn about at the next SQL Saturday.
Effective Strategies for Storing and Parsing XML in SQL Server
XML is a common storage format for data, metadata, parameters, or other semi-structured data. Because of this, it often finds its way into SQL Server databases and needs to be managed alongside other data types.
Cloud Transformation
There are lots of companies moving databases to the cloud. Steve has a few thoughts on how to evaluate this for your company.
How I Used PostgreSQL RLS To Avoid Code Changes During a Migration
This article discusses how one person implemented Row Level Security in PostgreSQL to help with a data migration from a single tenant to a multi-tenant database structure.
Query Exercise: Beat ChatGPT at Finding Good Question Times
What are the best days of the week and times of the day to post a question at StackOverflow.com?
Blogs
The Book of Redgate: Spread across the world
By Steve Jones
This was Redgate in 2010, spread across the globe. First the EU/US Here’s Asia...
Merry Christmas
By John
Today is Christmas and while I do not expect anybody to actual be reading...
Self-Hosting a Photo Server the Whole Family Can Use
By Bert Wagner
Until recently, my family's 90,000+ photos have been hidden away in the depths of...
Forums
UNISTR Escape
Comments posted to this topic are about the item UNISTR Escape
Celebrating Tomorrow
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Celebrating Tomorrow
SQL Art: I Made a Christmas Card In SSMS
Comments posted to this topic are about the item SQL Art: I Made a...
Question of the Day
UNISTR Escape
In SQL Server 2025, I run this command:
SELECT UNISTR('*3041*308A*304C\3068 and good night', '*') as "A Classic";
What is returned? (assume the database has an appropriate collation)
A: 
B: 
C: 
See possible answers