Using Containers to Avoid Installing SQL Server
I got a new laptop recently and instead of installing SQL Server, I decided to try and use containers to see how well this works. This article looks at how I got this working relatively quickly. The short list of things I did is: Install Docker Desktop Create a location for data/logs/etc. Create a docker-compose […]
Fixing Impostor Syndrome
Lessons on impostor syndrome from a marketer apply to technologists as well.
Fuzzy String Matching in SQL Server 2025
Learn about the new fuzzy matching functions in SQL Server 2025.
Vibe coding and databases: the hidden risks of AI-generated database code
Explore how Andrej Karpathy’s “vibe coding” trend reached databases. Uncover risks, real incidents, and 5 critical failure patterns
Celebrating 30 years of PostgreSQL, A Thank you message
A Thank You message to the original founds of the PostgreSQL project and members of the community that have been working so hard for 30 years.
Bean Counting to Burnout
Do meetings and paperwork take a toll on administrators? Steve draws a comparison to some of the changes in the US healthcare system.
Five SQL Server 2022 T-SQL Functions You Should Be Using Right Now
SQL Server 2022 brought powerful new T-SQL functions that eliminate long-standing workarounds. This article walks through five of the most impactful additions — GENERATE_SERIES, GREATEST/LEAST, DATE_BUCKET, the WINDOW clause, and IS NOT DISTINCT FROM — with practical code examples you can use immediately.
Coping with a working life as an imposter
It is not existing knowledge but the skill of acquiring new knowledge rapidly that will help you overcome imposter syndrome.
Unraveling the Mysteries of the Ephemeral Model: The Fabric Modern Data Platform
Data build tool (dbt) is an open-source command line tool that helps analysts and engineers transform data within their warehouses. It already assumes that data is extracted and loaded into raw tables. The dbt core framework is written in Python with the translations defined as a combination of SQL scripts, Jinga Template Language, and YAML […]
Blogs
Power BI Performance in 2026: A Practical Guide to Faster Semantic Models and Reports
By James Serra
Originally published April 2022; substantially updated July 2026. This post is a complete replacement...
Getting Started with Azure SQL Developer on Macbook
The idea behind Azure SQL Developer is for anyone to build, iterate, and test...
AI Experiments: Claude Solved a DAB Issue
By Steve Jones
I’m sure many of you are using AI regularly, perhaps chatting, perhaps using some...
Forums
SQL Agent Job Automated Change Capture Process
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Another Model, More Data Loss
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Finding a Database Master Key
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Finding a Database Master Key
Question of the Day
Finding a Database Master Key
Where do I check for the existence of a Database Master Key (DMK) in SQL Server 2025?
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