The Decline of SQL Server
The popularity of SQL Server seems to be high, but there might be reasons to be concerned.
Using the WMI Event Watcher Task in SSIS to Process Data Files
With the WMI Event Watcher Task in SSIS we can import files as soon as they arrive.
You Can Still Vote for PASS
If you couldn't vote last week or didn't get a ballot, you still can. Please go to www.sqlpass.org and learn more.
Ninja Immutable Databases
'Immutable' databases operate under the principle that data or objects should not be modified after they are created. Once again they hold the promise of providing strong consistency combined with horizontal read scalability, and built-in caching. Are Immutable databases a new idea? Are they different in any way from the mainstream RDBMSs?
Data Compression and Snapshot Isolation
Data Compression and Snapshot Isolation don't play well together, you may not see a performance benefit
The Final Service Packs
Microsoft has released a final service pack for SQL Server 2008 R2, which many of you might want to install.
Protect Confidential SQL Server Data Q and A
Following on from a webcast, Tim Smith answers some questions on SQL Server security like: Is It Better To Mask At the Application Level Or The SQL Server Database Level? Are there any options to find SSNs in SQL Server besides RegEx? And, why would anyone store sensitive data un-encrypted in SQL Server?
Life Logging
This editorial was orignally published on Dec 8, 2009. It is being re-run as Steve is on vacation. Would you like the idea of capturing everything you do? Audio, video, text, code, a log of your life. A new book from Microsoft Research talks about this and Steve Jones things it could be an interesting capability for your career.
Filling In Missing Values Using the T-SQL Window Frame
Since SQL Server delivered the entire range of window functions, there has been far less justification for using the non-standard ex-Sybase 'Quirky Update' tricks to perform the many permutations of running totals in SQL Server. One of these related problems is the 'Data Smear'. Do window functions make this easier, and what is performance like? Dwain Camps investigates.
Challenge Yourself
How do you grow your career? Steve Jones has a few ideas on what you can do to both improve your skills and build your brand.
Blogs
VPN + SQL Server Connections: Why Long-Working Setups Suddenly Fail with Msg 10054 and “Connection Broken”
By Tim Radney
Over the past few weeks, I’ve been contacted by multiple customers experiencing the same...
Future IT Roles – Agentic Architect and AI Boom!!
By Vinay Thakur
These days everything is changing to AI World, IT roles are getting changed and...
Free Webinar about Columnstore Indexes
I’m doing a small series on indexing basics for SQL Server, and on May...
Forums
There's Too Much to Learn
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How to Calculate Distance Between Coordinates in SQL Server
Comments posted to this topic are about the item How to Calculate Distance Between...
SSoL Support on the OS
Comments posted to this topic are about the item SSoL Support on the OS
Question of the Day
SSoL Support on the OS
On which Linux versions is SQL Server 2025 on Linux supported?
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