Stairway to SQL PowerShell Level 7: SQL Server PowerShell and the Basics of SMO
In this level we begin our journey into the SQL Server SMO space. SMO stands for Shared Management Objects and is a library written in .NET for use with SQL Server. The SMO library is available when you install SQL Server Management Tools or you install it separately.
The Performance of Traversing a SQL Hierarchy
Dwain Camps shows that, depending on the size and characteristics of some hierarchical data, six different methods of traversal can each be the fastest at some point. He illustrates the danger in generalizing from just one set of test data, and that it's foolish to assume that just because SQL code looks neat, it will perform well.
Better Training
What are better ways to train people to work in the technology field? Steve Jones has a few ideas.
Encrypt a file from SSIS using the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES)
This article demonstrates how to create a CLR assembly that can encrypt or decrypt a file with AES-256 cryptography, how to reference the CLR assembly from an SSIS script task, and how to generate an MD5 checksum file so that its recipient can confirm the integrity of the encrypted file.
SQL Injection: How it Works and How to Thwart it
This is an extract from the book Tribal SQL. In this article, Kevin Feasel explains SQL injection attacks, how to defend against them, and how to keep your Chief Information Security Officer from appearing on the nightly news.
Administering Database Master Keys in SQL Server
A short piece that gives you the basics of how to administer the database master keys that form the basis for encryption inside of your databases.
Calling Local Speakers
Steve Jones asks for more of the local people to help teach, train, and grow the community.
Cerebrata helps developers master Microsoft Azure with launch of new Just Azure resource
Just Azure, a new site from Cerebrata (part of Red Gate), provides essential technical resources and educational articles to support the Microsoft community in navigating and understanding the rapidly evolving Azure platform.
Just Enough know-how
As a professional, our knowledge of a given task should extend, at a minimum, one level deeper than is strictly necessary to perform the task. Anything deeper can be left to the ridiculously smart, or obsessive, or both
Blogs
Upgrading SQL Server Containers on the Laptop
By Steve Jones
I don’t have SQL Server installed on my laptop. In an effort to keep...
How to Find Expensive Queries in Amazon Redshift
Slow-running queries can degrade your Redshift cluster’s performance and lead to increased costs. Identifying...
The Notification Trap: How Input Fatigue Is Killing Deep Work in Tech
By gbargsley
If you've been here before, you know this blog is usually about SQL Server,...
Forums
SQL 2019 instance with AG, across 2 Windows 2016 OS servers - OSin-place upgrade
Hi all Can I get some perspective from the community please on performing in-place...
How Long is a Long I/O?
Comments posted to this topic are about the item How Long is a Long...
T-SQL Trigonometric Functions in SQL Server
Comments posted to this topic are about the item T-SQL Trigonometric Functions in SQL...
Question of the Day
How Long is a Long I/O?
In SQL Server 2025, a long I/O is recorded in the error log with message 833. How long much an I/O request be outstanding before this message is written to the log?
See possible answers