Patching Problems
Problems with SQL Server after applying the Windows 8.1 update have Steve Jones concerned about software updates.
Introduction to the SQL Server Analysis Services Neural Network Data Mining Algorithm
In data mining and machine learning circles, the neural network is one of the most difficult algorithms to explain. Fortunately, SQL Server Analysis Services allows for a simple implementation of the algorithm for data analytics. Dallas Snider explains
Failure
This week Steve Jones has a poll to make you think based on Tim O'Reilly's look back at how he succeeded and failed with his company.
RAID and Its Impact on your SQL Performance
This article attempts to explain RAID's impact on SQL performance.
Microsoft Azure Diagnostics Part 1: Introduction
Having a well thought-out plan for diagnostic data is important for on-premises applications, but it is arguably more important for distributed, highly scalable cloud applications. Michael Collier has provided a clear introduction to Microsoft Azure Diagnostics, including the Diagnostics Agent and how to extract the data.
SQL Scripts in SSMS
A new plug in for Management Studio from Red Gate is free. It will give you access to all the scripts at SQLServerCentral, including your own briefcase.
Using Encrypted Backups in SQL Server 2014
This article details encrypted backups and how they are implemented in SQL Server 2014.
Why Don't We Have Better Practices?
It seems as though the quality of much software isn't very good. What is that? Couldn't we do better? Certainly some people write much better code. Why can't the rest of us imitate them?
Validate File Properties with PowerShell Prior to Import into SQL Server
We recently faced an issue where an internal data provider began providing an incomplete or inaccurate files because it lacked the proper length (or didn't exceed a certain size). In our case, we implemented a check on the file before importing using PowerShell, here's what we did.
Blogs
Monday Monitor Tips: Intelligent Alert Thresholds
By Steve Jones
At the recent Redgate Summit in Chicago, I demo’d (lightly) the ML based Alert...
A New Word: los vidados
By Steve Jones
los vidados – n. the half-remembered acquaintances you knew years ago, who you might...
In-Person CISA Training – April 13-16, 2026
By Brian Kelley
I will be leading an in-person Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) exam prep class...
Forums
String_agg not working as needed
I'm trying to get this string_agg to put all the 'comments' into one result...
Vectors in SQL Server 2025
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Vectors in SQL Server 2025
Odd Sequences
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Odd Sequences
Question of the Day
Odd Sequences
What values are returned from this code?
CREATE SEQUENCE NumericSequence
AS NUMERIC(5,1)
START WITH 1.0
INCREMENT BY 0.1;
GO
SELECT NEXT VALUE FOR NumericSequence
GO
SELECT NEXT VALUE FOR NumericSequence
GO See possible answers