2020-02-22
105 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
307 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.
2024-12-27 (first published: 2020-01-18)
434 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
267 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
146 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
206 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)
6,616 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
696 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
341 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
218 reads
Blogs
Claude Code Helps Analyze Test Data Manager Log Files
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I had a customer ask about analyzing their Test Data Manager (TDM) usage to...
PowerPoint to HTML with Claude AI
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I had an idea for an animated view of a sales tool, and started...
Don’t Miss Out – SQL Server Query Tuning Fundamentals Starts Next Monday!
Next Monday, February 9, 2026, my one-day live online training SQL Server Query Tuning...
Forums
SQL Server 2025 Query Performance Tuning: Troubleshoot and Optimize Query Performance
Comments posted to this topic are about the item SQL Server 2025 Query Performance...
Is it uncommon for Dev's to have a data model of the source data
This is a generic question. To the moderators, I wasn't sure where to place...
ROLLUP to calculate Month total for all Categories
Good Afternoon, I have built a table with four columns: Period(Month), Category, Numerator, Denominator....
Question of the Day
Creating JSON I
On SQL Server 2025, what happens when I run this code:
SELECT JSON_OBJECTAGG( 'City':'Denver') GOSee possible answers