2020-02-22
93 reads
editorial
Towards an efficient interface between application and database
As JSON documents becomes increasingly widely used, as the interface between application and database, Phil Factor reckons it's about time JSON Schema was built-in to SQL Server, alongside XML Schema.
2020-01-25
281 reads
On Looking and Acting the Part
Phil Factor's offers tips for longevity in the world of IT consultancy: listen well, humiliate no-one and convince others that it was their expertise that solved the problem.
2020-01-18
290 reads
The harsh reality of charitable IT work
At work in IT, we can wander around looking important with no apparent useful skills whatsoever. When working outside the bubble of the industry, things are different.
2019-12-14
252 reads
Human frailty and the custodianship of data
Until you open the box your data is, like Schrödinger's cat, both safe and breached.
2019-11-16
138 reads
Protecting Data from the Inside
Phil Factor on the difficult task of guarding against the theft of data from within an organization.
2019-10-19
192 reads
Soft Skills: Controlling your career
Technical skills come and go while soft skills will serve you throughout your life. They will have the greatest influence over your career, job and role. For some people soft skills come naturally. As an Aspergers person (Aspie) I have to practice my soft skills at every opportunity. Pure techies need not lose hope. Soft […]
2021-04-23 (first published: 2019-09-19)
6,540 reads
The Sequel to SQL
Phil Factor tacks a few new buzzwords onto his CV and looks forward to joining the new wave of "digital innovators".
2019-08-10
681 reads
Over-thinking Database Build Scripts
With SQL Server we tend to build databases, when necessary, from one or more build scripts. If making changes to existing versions of the database, we then script the required changes. Usually, a synchronization tool will create a script that can be tweaked to work; although occasionally it will require something more complicated, as when […]
2019-06-29
323 reads
Databases made for Ops, not 'Oops!'
Just as you write a unit test before writing the code, so you must devise the means to monitor a database, to ensure its smooth operation, before creating the database.
2019-06-01
187 reads
Blogs
Unlock the Power of Your Data: From Basic to Advanced Data Analysis
Data isn't just about numbers and spreadsheets. It holds stories, patterns, and the answers...
Attacking the Weakest Link
By Brian Kelley
When I look at a system and think about its security model, the first...
Webinar – Microsoft Fabric for Dummies
On Wednesday May 15th 2024 I will give a free webinar on MSSQLTips.com about...
Forums
The "ORDER BY" clause behavior
Comments posted to this topic are about the item The "ORDER BY" clause behavior
Are IT Certifications Still Relevant?
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Are IT Certifications Still Relevant?
SQL-CTE reqursive query
I have table TicketNumbers i TicketNumber UID 2 10 09901a22c7c3acc6786847c775f1d113 6 5 00dad28bef21f916240d6e8c1c1bd67d 12 ...
Question of the Day
The "ORDER BY" clause behavior
Let’s consider the following script that can be executed without any error on both SQL Sever and PostgreSQL. We define the table t1 in which we insert three records:
create table t1 (id int primary key, city varchar(50)); insert into t1 values (1, 'Rome'), (2, 'New York'), (3, NULL);If we execute the following query, how will the records be sorted in both environments?
select city from t1 order by city;See possible answers