Pay It Forward
Steve Jones looks at the dilemma of training developers and having them leave, or maybe, just having them stay untrained.
Using Comments to Quickly Test CTEs
A quick tip for using a combination of block and line comments to test CTEs
Acceptance Testing with FitNesse: Database Fixtures, Project Overview
There aren't many frameworks for writing acceptance tests for databases, including SQL Server. FitNesse is an obvious choice since it is designed with a Wiki-style interface that, once it is configured and set up correctly, makes it very easy for a non-specialist to set up individual tests.
ETL Performance Auditing - Part 2: Auditing Data Staging Phase
Easy way to setup a comprehensive ETL Performance auditing Solution no matter how complicated your ETL setup.
Backup and Restore Strategies in SQL Server – Part 2
In this article of the series Arshad Ali discusses different types of restore processes and backup and restore scenarios.
Is Database Mirroring Causing The Transaction Log To Fill Up
In this article, I describe some steps a DBA can take to check for mirroring on SQL Server, give a status of the mirroring state and some options for resolving any problems with the transaction log that might be caused by Database Mirroring.
Free SQL in the City Seminar Washington DC – Dec 5, 2014
SQL Server MVP Grant Fritchey and Steve Jones will present the Stairway to Continuous Delivery in Washington DC again this December. Learn how to build an efficient development and deployment process for your organization. Register for this free event.
Stop Relying on Cloud File Stores as a Backup Strategy
There is a growing assumption that Cloud file-storage services represent an ideal way of backing up files. It seems a compelling idea because it is so easy and seems secure. The truth is, as always, more complicated. There is more to any backup strategy than just cloud storage.
Blogs
Learn about Modern Microsoft Apps in San Diego
By Steve Jones
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 ReviewMyDB
Fabric has CI/CD built in, but if you've tried to use it for database...
A New Word: Attriage
By Steve Jones
attriage – n. the state of having lost all control over how you feel...
Forums
SSRS Reminded Me of the Time Microsoft Retired TMG
Comments posted to this topic are about the item SSRS Reminded Me of the...
Getting results from a Procedure to join to a query
I have a need to execute a stored procedure and return the results to...
Upgrade 2016 Standard to 2022 Express
Title pretty much says it all - can this be done? I've tried several...
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 NULLWhat is returned when I run this code:
select bit_count(UserPermissions) as PermissionCount from dbo.UserPermission where UserID = 4;See possible answers