Department of Redundancy Department
Ever wonder all the reasons that we use databases instead of file systems? While we don’t think of it too much anymore, the first reason that databases came into existence was to remove redundancies.
Stairway to Advanced T-SQL Level 4: Record Level Processing Using Transact-SQL Cursors
Using a CURSOR is not normally the best way to process through a set of records. Yet when a seasoned programmer moves to writing TSQL for the first time they frequently look for ways to process a sets of records one row at a time. They do this because they are not used to thinking about processing records as a set. In order to process through a TSQL record set a row at a time you can use a cursor. A cursor is a record set that is defined with the DECLARE CURSOR statement. Cursors can be defined as either read-only or updatable. In this article I will introduce you to using cursors to do record level processing one row at a time.
The Code Freeze
Today Steve discusses code freezes, those times when you don't allow changes to be made by developers.
SQL Server Plan Cache Bloat Performance Impacts
Learn about the SQL Server plan cache and how SQL Server caches query plans, and the potential of plan cache bloat which could impact performance.
Joining Queries in Azure Data Factory on Cosmos DB Sources
This article shows how you can use two Cosmos DB dataets in Azure Data Factory and join them on a common column.
Option Recompile is a Magic Turbo Button That Actually Works.
Guy Glantser is an Israeli SQL Server guru with a ton of great presentations on YouTube. I’ve had the privilege of hanging out with him in person a bunch of times over the year, and I’ll always get excited to do it again. He’s not just smart, but he’s friendly and funny as hell.
To Each Their Own
I recently came back from a trip to Las Vegas. I was privileged to be able to take part in the very first Fabric Community Conference. It was a great event, well attended. BUT... It was in Las Vegas. I am not a fan. First of all, Vegas is just far too noisy for me. […]
SQL Server Patching Using PowerShell DSC
In this article, learn how to use the PowerShell DSC to patch your SQL Server instances.
When is it time for a new job?
Steve asks the question today about when you might think about changing employers. He has some advice for you, whether you're happy or in need of a new position.
Blogs
A New Word: Dolorblindness
By Steve Jones
dolorblindness – n. the frustration that you’ll never be able to understand another person’s...
Claude Code Helps Analyze Test Data Manager Log Files
By Steve Jones
I had a customer ask about analyzing their Test Data Manager (TDM) usage to...
PowerPoint to HTML with Claude AI
By Steve Jones
I had an idea for an animated view of a sales tool, and started...
Forums
Optimism Without Illusion or Why AI Needs Blunt Technologists
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Optimism Without Illusion or Why...
SSIS with VS2022 64/32 issue with Excel files
Hi all, I'm trying to do classic scenario for loading multiple Excel files into...
Case part is sloooooow
Hi So the case statement is slowing this down - but for the life...
Question of the Day
The String Distance I
In SQL Server 2025, what is returned by this code:
SELECT EDIT_DISTANCE('tim', 'tom')
Assume preview features are enabled. See possible answers