How to Calculate Distance Between Coordinates in SQL Server
Learn a quick way to calculate distances without resorting to spatial calculations.
2026-05-08
1,983 reads
SQL Server
Stairway to Reliable Database Deployments Level 2 - Defining the Deployment Contract
Level 2 formalizes the behavioral guarantees that a changeset must provide in order to be safely deployed and rolled back. It introduces the deployment contract, checkpoint semantics, and the structural scope of Create and Rollback scripts. Data changes are addressed through a dedicated Update mechanism, with clear boundaries and limitations. By the end of this level, a changeset becomes a predictable and well-defined unit that can be reasoned about independently of execution context.
2026-05-06
663 reads
Understanding Deadlock Victim Selection in SQL Server
A short introduction to how deadlocks work and how you can affect their behavior inside your system.
2026-05-01
2,496 reads
T-SQL Trigonometric Functions in SQL Server
Introduction SQL Server includes several built-in mathematical functions that allow developers to perform complex calculations directly within queries. Among these are trigonometric functions such as SIN(), COS(), and TAN(), which are useful in scenarios involving engineering calculations, geographic data processing, simulations, and analytics. Although these functions are straightforward to use, developers occasionally encounter unexpected results […]
2026-04-29
2,184 reads
Designing Database Changes Before Deployment: Level 1 of the Stairway to Reliable Database Deployments
Stairway to Reliable Database Deployments introduces a progressive approach to managing database changes with clear intent, predictable rollback, and explicit behavioral guarantees. Starting from change design and moving toward execution and coordination in complex environments, the Stairway provides a conceptual framework for deploying database changes safely and consistently, independent of specific tools or automation platforms.
2026-04-15
1,417 reads
Creating a Simple and Flexible Random Password Generator in SQL Server
Generating temporary passwords is a common requirement in many applications. Users may need to reset a forgotten password, new accounts may require an initial password, or developers may generate test credentials. While password generation is often implemented in application code, doing it directly in SQL Server provides clear advantages. It centralizes the logic, ensures consistency […]
2026-04-10
1,823 reads
2025-11-21
152 reads
SQL Automate - A DBA's Time-Saving Toolkit
SQLAutomate is a lightweight PowerShell tool that simplifies SQL Server deployment by automating both installation and post-installation configuration. Whether you're setting up one instance or dozens, this guide shows how to use SQLAutomate to save time and reduce manual work.
2025-06-06
10,393 reads
Analyzing Tempdb Spills and Usage Across Recursive Queries
This article examines how tempdb is affected by recursive queries, using a few different methods.
2025-05-23
2,181 reads
How to Safely Remove a SQL Server Data File Without Downtime
Learn how to safely remove a SQL Server .ndf data file without any downtime using DBCC SHRINKFILE (EMPTYFILE). This hands-on tutorial walks through real-world Azure-based setup, data redistribution, and storage cleanup — ideal for DBAs managing enterprise SQL Server environments.
2025-05-16
2,976 reads
Blogs
T-SQL Tuesday #198 Roundup: How Do You Detect Data Changes?
Thank you to everyone who participated in T-SQL Tuesday #198! When I wrote the...
Optimizing Redshift Performance by Configuring WLM Queues
Efficient query performance in Amazon Redshift often comes down to how well you manage...
PowerShell Strikes Back: Return of the Loop
By gbargsley
Welcome back to PowerShell Strikes Back. We’re three weeks in, and the training is...
Forums
Stairway to Reliable Database Deployment Level 3 – Rehearsing Changesets Across Environments
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Stairway to Reliable Database Deployment...
QUOTENAME Quote Parameters
Comments posted to this topic are about the item QUOTENAME Quote Parameters
Limit the Blast Radius
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Limit the Blast Radius
Question of the Day
QUOTENAME Quote Parameters
When I use QUOTENAME(), I can optionally provide the character used to surround the string in the result. Can I use any character?
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