2020-02-22
97 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
300 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)
411 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
259 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
141 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
200 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)
6,603 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
687 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
334 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
201 reads
Blogs
Why Microsoft Fabric Signals the Next Wave of Data Strategy
By Chris Yates
In today’s data-driven economy, organizations are no longer asking if they should invest in...
PostgreSQL Timeline: History and Evolution
By Rohit Garg
PostgreSQL, often referred to as Postgres, is a powerful, open-source object-relational database system that...
Understanding Zonal Redundancy in Azure SQL MI
By Arun Sirpal
Do you know what happens when you enable zonal redundancy for your SQL managed...
Forums
How a Legacy Logic Choked SQL Server in a 30-Year-Old Factory
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Databases and Disasters
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Automating SQL Server Access Review
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Question of the Day
The Updated Columns List
I have this table in SQL Server 2022:
CREATE TABLE CustomerLarge (CustomerID INT NOT NULL IDENTITY(1, 1) CONSTRAINT CustomerLargePK PRIMARY KEY CLUSTERED , CustomerName VARCHAR(20) , CustomerContactFirstName VARCHAR(40) , CustomerContactLastName VARCHAR(40) , Address VARCHAR(20) , Address2 VARCHAR(20) , City VARCHAR(20) , CountryCode CHAR(3) , Postal VARCHAR(20) ) GOIf I check the columns_updated() function return in a trigger, what is the data returned? See possible answers