SQL Server

Stairway icons Database Deployments

Stairway to Reliable Database Deployments Level 2 - Defining the Deployment Contract

  • Stairway Step

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.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

You rated this post out of 5. Change rating

2026-05-06

567 reads

SQLServerCentral Article

T-SQL Trigonometric Functions in SQL Server

  • Article

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 […]

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

(2)

You rated this post out of 5. Change rating

2026-04-29

2,067 reads

Stairway icons Database Deployments

Designing Database Changes Before Deployment: Level 1 of the Stairway to Reliable Database Deployments

  • Stairway Step

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.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

(1)

You rated this post out of 5. Change rating

2026-04-15

1,384 reads

SQLServerCentral Article

Creating a Simple and Flexible Random Password Generator in SQL Server

  • Article

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 […]

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

(2)

You rated this post out of 5. Change rating

2026-04-10

1,746 reads

SQLServerCentral Article

SQL Automate - A DBA's Time-Saving Toolkit

  • Article

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.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

(5)

You rated this post out of 5. Change rating

2025-06-06

10,371 reads

SQLServerCentral Article

How to Safely Remove a SQL Server Data File Without Downtime

  • Article

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.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

(3)

You rated this post out of 5. Change rating

2025-05-16

2,942 reads

Blogs

Agentic Architect – Future IT Roles (comparison)

By

These days everything is changing to AI World, IT roles are getting changed and...

PlanTrace: Stop Reading Redshift EXPLAIN Plans. Start Seeing Them

By

PlanTrace: Stop Reading Redshift EXPLAIN Plans. Start Seeing Them Introducing PlanTrace — a free, browser-based...

A Cloud Dependency Failure from Amazon

By

I went to sleep while reading a Kindle book on my phone. I know...

Read the latest Blogs

Forums

SPAM Issues May 2026

By Steve Jones - SSC Editor

We suffered a SPAM attack from May 1-6, which unfortunately corresponded with time off...

SQL Password enforcing

By Andre 425568

Hi to all We have situation at a client where someone is illegally changing...

SQL Password enforcing

By Andre 425568

Hi to all We have situation at a client where someone is illegally changing...

Visit the forum

Question of the Day

Creating a JSON Document III

I have this data in a table called dbo.NFLTeams 

TeamID  TeamName       City             YearEstablished
------  --------       ----             ---------------
1       Cowboys        Dallas           1960
2       Eagles         Philadelphia     1933
3       Packers        Green Bay        1919
4       Chiefs         Kansas City      1960
5       49ers          San Francisco    1946
6       Broncos        Denver           1960
7       Seahawks       Seattle          1976
8       Patriots       New England      1960
If I run this code, how many rows are returned? 
SELECT TOP 2 
  json_objectagg('Team' : TeamName)
FROM dbo.NFLTeams;

See possible answers