How LAG compares to other techniques
LAG pulls a column from another row without a self-join. In this article, Kathi Kellenberger shows how LAG compares to other techniques
2021-09-24
databases
SQL Server identity column
The SQL Server identity column is used to populate a column with incrementing numbers on insert. In this article, Greg Larsen explains how it works.
2021-09-13
Oracle sequences – 12c features including “identity”
Oracle added several enhancements to the sequence object in version 12c, including an “identity” column feature. Jonathan Lewis explains how to work with these new features.
2021-09-10
Testing SQL Server Databases Using SQL Test
During database development, as well as writing SQL, you must also write the tests that prove your SQL code meets all the requirements. The article will help you get started with database testing for your SQL Server databases, by creating and running unit tests against them, as well as static code analysis tests.
2021-08-20
SQL Compilations/sec is not what you think it is
SQL Server perfmon counters provide a wealth of information about performance. In this article, Fabiano Amorim shows how current wisdom about one counter, SQL Compilations/sec, can sometimes be misleading.
2021-08-20
Collecting SQL Server performance monitor data
SQL Server provides information for troubleshooting performance. Ed Pollack demonstrates collecting SQL Server performance monitor data.
2021-08-11
How to enable SQL Server trace flags
DBAs can control many aspects of SQL Server’s behavior with trace flags. In this article, Robert Sheldon explains how to enable SQL Server trace flags.
2021-07-30
Managing SQL Server transaction log size
The SQL Server transaction log must be managed to keep a database running and performing well. In this article, Greg Larsen explains how to manage the transaction log size.
2021-07-23
A Quick Diff Checker for SQL Server Databases
Compare the schemas of two SQL Server databases using SQL Compare command line then quickly produce a diff report showing you immediately which tables, views and functions have changed.
2021-07-02
SQL Server performance tuning: Nine best practices
SQL Server performance tuning can seem overwhelming when you don’t know where to start. In this article Robert Sheldon explains 9 best practices for performance tuning.
2021-06-16
Blogs
A New Word: on tenderhooks
By Steve Jones
on tenderhooks – adj. feeling the primal satisfaction of being needed by someone, which...
Ramblings about data communities and your contributions, no excuses
By DataOnWheels
I have been active in the data community throughout my career. I have met...
SQL Server Journey till 2025 (brief)
By Vinay Thakur
Quick Summary for Microsoft SQL Server till 2025, I am fortunate to be part...
Forums
how do i map the "current" object entry in for each to one variable
hi, in an ssis for each loop over an object variable called MyListVariable, i...
Simulating Mercury’s Orbital Motion Using Pure T-SQL (NASA 2025 Dataset)
SQL Server is typically viewed as a transactional or analytical database engine. However, it...
Azure SQL Database | CREATE EVENT SESSION [Blocking_Capture] ON DATABASE
Hello, Is there a way in Azure SQL Database to change the 'Blocking Process...
Question of the Day
String Similarity I
On SQL Server 2025, when I run this, what is returned?
SELECT EDIT_DISTANCE_SIMILARITY('SQL Server', 'MySQL') See possible answers