Interfaces
The interface is crucial for getting data in and out of a system. Steve Jones talks a little about past interfaces and possible future ones.
Different Ways to Restore a SQL Server Database
This article describes the SQL Server database restore principles for full backups, differential backups and transaction log backups and how to perform the restores to get to a particular point in time. This tip describes SQL Server database restore principles on a database that is using the FULL recovery model.
Database Restore Automation
Read about Paul Brewer's Framework (Version 2) for Database Restore Automation.
Encrypting SQL Code
This Friday's poll looks at the encryption options for your code in SQL Server. Steve Jones asks if there is a benefit for these routines.
Testing Matters
Testing matters for software and Steve Jones points out a current example of where cutting testing has caused lots of problems.
Fundamentals of Vendor Management
Creating and maintaining mutually beneficial relationships with external vendors is one of the pillars of good project management. Dwain Camps goes through what to expect and allow in your client-vendor relationship during the various stages of a given project to ensure its success and secure that all important win-win outcome.
Normalizing-Denormalized Tables
Explains how to normalize a table without breaking the application or doing any application code changes.
The T-SQL Paradigm
This Friday, Steve Jones looks for opinions on what you think of the T-SQL language. Is it well structured or does it really need help?
Calculating Values within a Rolling Window in Transact SQL
Before the SQL Window functions were implemented, it was tricky to calculate rolling totals or moving averages efficiently in SQL Server. There are now a number of techniques, but which has the best performance? Dwain Camps gets out the metaphorical stopwatch.
Becoming an MVP
Steve Jones has a few thoughts on the Microsoft MVP program and the desire of many people to become an MVP.
Blogs
“We love to debate minutiae”
By Brian Kelley
I am guilty as charged. The quote was in reference to how people argue...
Advice I Like: Knots
By Steve Jones
Learn how to tie a bowline knot. Practice in the dark. With one hand....
Shifting Mindsets: Why FinOps is Essential for Cloud Efficiency
By HeyMo0sh
As a DevOps practitioner, I’ve always focused on performance, scalability, and automation. But as...
Forums
Windows logins for users migrated from DomainA to DomainB
Hi, I have a SQL Server instance where users connect to via Windows Authentication,...
Multiple Deployment Processes
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Multiple Deployment Processes
How to Use sqlpackage to Detect Schema Drift Between Azure SQL Databases
Comments posted to this topic are about the item How to Use sqlpackage to...
Question of the Day
Upgrading Admin Queries
I have a query from a former DBA that we run on SQL Server 2025 to check on database metadata. This query references sys.sysaltfiles. I want to refactor this code to be more modern. Which DMV should I reference instead?
See possible answers