Stairway to SQL PowerShell Level 6: PowerShell Modules
In this level, we will walk through creating and using modules for PowerShell. Modules are simply a collection of functions that are most likely related to each other and packaged in a way that allow you to import them as a group.
Options to Move a Big SQL Server Database to a New Drive with Minimal Downtime
This article outlines the pros and cons associated with the different methods for moving SQL Server databases to new storage within a 15 minute timeframe.
Duplicate Detection and Management
Inevitably, every DBA is eventually asked to delete, merge, or otherwise report on duplicate data. There are many tools at our disposal to make this task both simple and efficient to complete. Read on for simple steps and examples to effectively deal with duplicate data.
The Subtle Push to the Cloud
There's a push to the cloud from Microsoft, and Steve Jones has a few thoughts. Have you warmed up to the cloud at all?
Moving from Practice to Production with Test-Driven Development
Test-driven development is often taught using simple examples, such as calculating the scores for a game of ten-pin bowling. Using the same practice effectively on a real code base isn’t as easy. This article covers some of the questions that arise when dealing with larger code bases and changing requirements.
Percentile calculations in DAX
It is not always easy to do what Excel does with PERCENTILE.INC. Learn what formulas to use in this article.
Running With The Red Queen
Trying to take the time to fix sub-par processes has some surprising parallels in nature.
The Danger of Algorithms
What problems occur because of the algorithm chosen to generate data? A new report says that social security numbers in the US can be predicted. Steve Jones has a few warnings about what algoriothms you choose.
Big Data Quality Metrics
This article outlines how to measure resource usage, and use these measurements to develop quality metrics for Big Data applications.
Blogs
Learning from Mistakes: T-SQL Tuesday #194
By Steve Jones
We’re a week late, once again my fault. I was still coming out of...
Stupid Things I Did With AI: ASCII Art
By Steve Jones
I ran across this article recently (https://www.gatesnotes.com/meet-bill/source-code/reader/microsoft-original-source-code) and it has a great opening piece...
Simple Talks Podcasting in 2026
By Steve Jones
I’m in the UK today, having arrived this morning in London. Hopefully, by this...
Forums
Learning From Breakage
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Python in Action to Auto-Generate an Optimized PostgreSQL Index Strategy
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Python in Action to Auto-Generate...
Adding and Dropping Columns I
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Adding and Dropping Columns I
Question of the Day
Adding and Dropping Columns I
I have this table in my SQL Server 2022 database:
CREATE TABLE [dbo].[CityList] ( [CityNameID] [int] NOT NULL IDENTITY(1, 1), [CityName] [varchar] (30) COLLATE SQL_Latin1_General_CP1_CI_AS NULL ) ON [PRIMARY] GOI decide to add two new columns for the StateProvince and Country. What code should I use? See possible answers