SQL, MDX, DAX – the languages of data
Ramblings of a retired data architect Let me start by saying that I have been working with data for over thirty years. I think that just means I am...
2026-01-23 (first published: 2026-01-12)
366 reads
Blog Posts
Using Prompt AI to Help Setup Data Analysis
I used Claude to build an application that loaded data for me. However, there were a few others things I needed done to help me get the data ready...
2026-01-23 (first published: 2026-01-07)
228 reads
Using SQL Compare with Redgate Data Modeler
Redgate recently released SQL Compare v16, which included a new feature to work with Redgate Data Modeler. I decided to give it a try in this post. I’ll take...
2026-01-23 (first published: 2026-01-22)
23 reads
An LLM Saved My ATtiny85 From Certain Death
I almost ordered parts for a circuit that would have destroyed itself the instant I powered it on.
Instead, an LLM caught the critical flaw in my design, saving me...
2026-01-21 (first published: 2026-01-07)
242 reads
Learning from Mistakes: T-SQL Tuesday #194
We’re a week late, once again my fault. I was still coming out of the holidays and forgot to check on my host. Luckily, Louis Davidson (who did have...
2026-01-21 (first published: 2026-01-20)
37 reads
NVMe vs PVSCSI: Real-World Performance Testing for SQL Server Workloads on VMware
End-to-end NVMe vs PVSCSI testing over NVMe/TCP to a Pure Storage FlashArray: TPC-C and DiskSpd results and analysis.
2026-01-21 (first published: 2026-01-07)
241 reads
Stupid Things I Did With AI: ASCII Art
I ran across this article recently (https://www.gatesnotes.com/meet-bill/source-code/reader/microsoft-original-source-code) and it has a great opening piece of ASCII Art. I have a screenshot here: For some reason, I thought, “I should...
2026-01-20 (first published: 2026-01-19)
15 reads
Monday Monitor Tips: Learning While Using the Tool
A customer was asking about what certain items in Redgate Monitor mean. They have a variety of skills on their staff, and they have developers accessing Redgate Monitor. This...
2026-01-19 (first published: 2026-01-05)
202 reads
2026-01-19 (first published: 2026-01-08)
207 reads
Simple Talks Podcasting in 2026
I’m in the UK today, having arrived this morning in London. Hopefully, by this time ,I’m in Cambridge and at the Redgate office. Maybe sitting in the foyer alcove,...
2026-01-19
9 reads
Blogs
Reality (And Limits) of Instant File Initialization for Transaction Logs in SQL Server 2022
By SQLPals
Reality (And Limits) of Instant File Initialization for Transaction Logs in SQL Server 2022 ...
Looking Back at the Redgate 2026 Company Kickoff
By Steve Jones
Last week I spent a few days in Cambridge, UK for the Redgate Company...
PASS Data Community Summit 2025 Recap
By alevyinroc
This is long overdue but life and distractions happened. It’s been a little over...
Forums
Microsoft no longer being supported?
The word is finally out that Microsoft is no longer supporting SSRS. I just...
SQL Agent job running gMSA cannot backup to NAS target
I'm running a group MSA for the database engine and SQL Agent in a...
sys.query_store_query question
All, My query is as follows: SET DATEFORMAT dmy SELECT p.query_id, DATEADD(MICROSECOND,-rs.max_duration,rs.first_execution_time) AS starttime,...
Question of the Day
Encoding Strings
I have this code in SQL Server 2025. What is the result?
DECLARE @message VARCHAR(50) = 'Hello SQL Server 2025!'; DECLARE @encoded VARCHAR(MAX); SET @encoded = BASE64_ENCODE(@message); SELECT @encoded AS EncodedResult;See possible answers
