Getting Started with Hashing in SQL Server
Encryption brings data into a state which cannot be interpreted by anyone who does not have access to the decryption key, password, or certificates. Hashing brings a string of characters of arbitrary size into a usually shorter fixed-length value or key. Here's how to get started using it.
Getting It Right First Time. Almost?
Mistakes happen but how can we minimize them and deal with them whey they do happen?
Linked Server Tribulations In SQL Server
In this article, Thomas chronicles the difficulties of troubleshooting a linked server set up, with helpful tips and an exposé of a Linked Server UI flaw.
Call for Speakers - SQL Saturday Pittsburgh
SQL Saturday #315 in Pittsburgh (Oct 4th) is looking for speakers - if you've got a SQL topic you want to talk about, submit it and you may get to share with your peers.
How to test what a SQL Server application would do in the past or in the future with date and time differences
For date and time based testing, I use what I like to call "mock-time". The mock-time starts at what ever I set it to, but then advances along with the regular system clock. Andy Novick shows how that would work.
SQL Monitor Custom Metric: Schema Modified
This metric creates an alert that will be raised when something is added to the schema, or the existing schema is modified.
A DBA at the Opera
In opera, tragedy or absurdity happens because the characters are incapable of standing back, and making a difficult decision. Instead, at every stage, they just drift towards their fate by taking the easy option. Don't let the same fate befall you, as a DBA.
Technology Wave
The quickness at which technology has and is changing our lives and shaping our culture.
Call for Speakers in Sunny San Diego
If you're in Southern California, you should come to SQL Saturday #340 and speak at their event. If you want a late summer vacation, submit and come enjoy the event.
Blogs
Advice I Like: Respect
By Steve Jones
“Don’t aim to have others like you; aim to have them respect you.” –...
Blue Sky Programming – The Optimism Trap
Many years ago, before I joined Oracle, I was working on a major modernisation...
Setting Up a Mac for Data Engineering and AI Work
If you work with data pipelines, SQL, notebooks, or machine learning models, a Mac...
Forums
SQL Art, Part 4: Happy 4th of July — A British DBA's Guide to Celebrating a War We Don't Talk About
Comments posted to this topic are about the item SQL Art, Part 4: Happy...
Is Fabric a Reliable Service or a Ripped Resource?
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Is Fabric a Reliable Service...
locking down agent for new user on our dev machine
hi , a new user wants to be able to add sql agent jobs...
Question of the Day
BIT_COUNT I
In SQL Server 2025, I have a table (dbo.UserPermission) that contains this data:
UserID UserPermissions 15 23 37What is returned when I run this code:
select bit_count(UserPermissions) as PermissionCount from dbo.UserPermission where UserID = 3;See possible answers