(Pinal Dave) With SQL Server 2016 CTP out, I know many have started to play around with it and exploring some of the new capabilities. One of the new capabilities that has caught my attention is the introduction of JSON support.

(Paul White) The fastest way to compute a median uses the SQL Server 2012 OFFSET extension to the ORDER BY clause. Running a close second, the next fastest solution uses a (possibly nested) dynamic cursor that works on all versions.

(Richard Carr) When working with large data sets it is common to retrieve a limited number of rows at a time and allow the user to page through the results. With SQL Server 2012, the paging can be controlled by the database engine, using new options of the ORDER BY clause.

(Pinal Dave) With SQL Server 2016 CTP out, I know many have started to play around with it and exploring some of the new capabilities. One of the new capabilities that has caught my attention is the introduction of JSON support.

(Kenneth Fisher) Blocking and deadlocking are not things you typically want to do deliberately. But sometimes you need to test error handling or prove a point and then you need to do the unusual.

(Rick Dobson) A business analyst recently asked me three questions. The questions are: How do I convert a mmddyyyy string to a SQL Server date? How do I handle rows with missing date strings? How do I compare a converted date string from one SELECT statement to another converted date string in anoth

(Edward Elliott) For an experienced database developer, the idea of doing non-breaking database deployments while the database is still online holds respect but only a little fear. If your test procedures are good, you attend to the detail, and the application interfaces are properly managed, it can

(Kenneth Fisher) Blocking and deadlocking are not things you typically want to do deliberately. But sometimes you need to test error handling or prove a point and then you need to do the unusual.

(Rick Dobson) A business analyst recently asked me three questions. The questions are: How do I convert a mmddyyyy string to a SQL Server date? How do I handle rows with missing date strings? How do I compare a converted date string from one SELECT statement to another converted date string in anoth

(Edward Elliott) For an experienced database developer, the idea of doing non-breaking database deployments while the database is still online holds respect but only a little fear. If your test procedures are good, you attend to the detail, and the application interfaces are properly managed, it can