Backing Up Azure Key Vault EKM Key: Stairway to TDE Level 6
In this level we learn how to ensure our keys are backed up to the Azure Key Vault for safekeeping.
Every Database Has Problems
The magic way to get better performance from your system is to write better code from the start.
Find SQL Server Agent Jobs that Start Other Jobs
A SQL Server Agent job can start other jobs. Writing jobs this way makes it easy to compartmentalize jobs: start a “child” job only when the “parent” reaches a certain step. Finding these steps can be challenging. There is no field or property in sysjobs or its associated tables to help find child jobs.
The New OS Wars
A few countries are looking to reduce their reliance on US technology. While they might leave Windows, Steve thinks they will continue to run SQL Server.
What Power BI DirectQuery does to your SQL Server (and how to fix it)
Power BI DirectQuery can quietly overwhelm your SQL Server. Unlike Import mode, DirectQuery sends live T-SQL for every visual interaction, multiplying queries and placing heavy analytical load on the database. This article explains how to identify the worst offending DirectQuery queries, why the generated SQL is often inefficient, and what you can do from the database side, including indexing, Query Store, and reporting views, to improve performance. It also outlines practical changes on the Power BI side and when DirectQuery is simply the wrong architectural choice.
How to minimize downtime in a cloud migration
Pat Wright details how to plan cloud migration with minimal downtime. Learn key cutover strategies, testing methods, and critical questions to avoid data loss and system failure.
How User-Defined Types work in PostgreSQL: a complete guide
I’m sure I’m not alone when I say, sometimes I get sidetracked. In this particular instance, I hadn’t intended to start learning about User-Defined Types (UDT) in PostgreSQL – I just wanted to test a behavior that involved creating a UDT. But, once I started reading, I was hooked. I mean, four distinct UDTs with different behaviors? That’s pretty cool. Let’s get into it.
Blogs
How to Connect to SQL Server When Nothing Else Works – DAC
By gbargsley
It's 2 AM. Your phone is going off. Users can't connect to the application,...
Get a Range of Sequence Values: #SQLNewBlogger
By Steve Jones
I discovered a procedure recently that I wasn’t aware of: sp_sequence_get_range. This post looks...
The Agent Era: When “How do I…?” Replaces “Where do I click?”
By Arun Sirpal
After a year away getting to grips with AI and its application across the...
Forums
setting an ssis param dynamicaly when the sql agent job runs
hi i was hoping for a more elegant way of setting a pkg level...
Query compile/runtime issue
I have a plan which in sys.query_store_plan shows: Last_compile_start_time of 2026-04-23 00:13:00.7670000 +00:00 Last_execution_time...
Hiring: Financial SQL Systems Administrator
Fisher Phillips is looking for a Financial Systems Administrator to help support and improve our financial...
Question of the Day
Creating a JSON Document II
I want to create a JSON document that contains data from this table:
TeamID TeamNameCity YearEstablished 1 Cowboys Dallas 1960 2 Eagles Philadelphia 1933 3 Packers Green Bay 1919 4 Chiefs Kansas City 1960If I run this code, what document(s) is/are returned?
SELECT json_objectagg( n.city : n.TeamName) FROM dbo.NFLTeams n;See possible answers
