More Evolution, More Complexity
As SQL Server advances and evolves, Steve Jones thinks it gets more complex, not necessarily easier to administer.
Universal Product Codes: a Database Primer
An introduction to Universal Product Codes with code to help you use them in your database.
SSIS Basics: Using the Conditional Split
The Conditional Split can route data rows to different outputs depending on whatever criteria of the data that you wish. It works rather like the SWITCH block in a procedural language. Annette shows how to add a conditional split to your data flow.
Shred XML column using SSIS
This article describes a way using SSIS to shred a XML column from a source table into its respective columns in the destination table.
The Microsoft Sideshow
Microsoft hasn't performed well on the stock market across the last decade, but the company has changed. There are cries that the business has been mismanaged and today Steve Jones has a few comments.
Standardize SQL Server Installations with Configuration Files
If you have a requirement to install multiple SQL Server instances with the same settings, you most likely want to do it without following the numerous manual installation steps. The below tip will guide you through how to install a SQL Server instance with less effort.
Look Beyond the First Result
As computer systems become more complex and dynamic, it's possible that the results we see might not be what we expect. Steve Jones talks about a situation with Orbitz.
SQL Saturday #192 - Tampa
Come and join SQL Saturday Tampa in their new venue (HCC) now that they've outgrown K-Force!
Full Text Searches on Documents in FileTables
SQL Server's FileTable technology is an intriguing way of accomodating file-based text data in a database, and allowing for complex searches. As with most technologies, the best way of learning them is to try it out and experiment. Feodor shows how to set it up, add some sample data and set up full-text search.
Data Profiling with T-SQL
Need to understand new data? This article explains why - and how you can profile it efficiently
Blogs
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...
SSMS 22 still inserting tabs instead of spaces
I’m not trying to start up a debate whether you should use tabs or...
Forums
Cumulative Update 23 - KB5074819 - Database Mail - No longer working.
Hi there, Has anyone else had any trouble with Database Mail in Cumulative Update...
Script Task execution error with HTTP request
I have a script task that tries to execute a HTTP request, which seems...
SQL Server 2025 Standard Developer Edition
Comments posted to this topic are about the item SQL Server 2025 Standard Developer...
Question of the Day
URL Safe or Not?
If I use BASE4_ENCODE() in SQL Server 2025, is the output URL Safe by default?
See possible answers