How to Load a Date Dimension in Microsoft Fabric using Macros in dbt?
With the popular data transformation tool dbt (data build tool), we have a bunch of interesting features at our disposal to write SQL more efficiently. One of those features is macros, which we’ll introduce in this article (don’t worry; they’re not rel …
Introduction to SQL Commands, Part 3: Retrieving and Sorting Data
In the final part of this series, learn how to use SQL Server’s SELECT command to retrieve, filter, and sort data efficiently from a database table.
Using the CASE expression instead of dynamic SQL in SQL Server
The post Using the CASE expression instead of dynamic SQL in SQL Server appeared first on SQLServerCentral.
Building AI Calls into the First Responder Kit
No, that isn’t an April 1st joke, heh. I know a lot of vendors are shoving AI down your throat, but I can think of a few ways I actually want to get quick, easy advice from large language models (LLM) when I’m calling the sp_Blitz scripts: sp_BlitzCach …
Sponsoring PGDay Chicago this week
On Friday, April 25, Simple Talk is excited to be a sponsor of PGDay Chicago 2025. This will be the second year in a row that we sponsor this event, but the first time one of the Simple Talk staff will be in attendance as the Simple Talk editor will be …
Exploring the SQL Server CHOOSE Function
I preface a lot of what I write with whether or not it is for a “practical” use. One of the Simple Talk authors used this function in a forthcoming article. and I realized I hadn’t heard of it before (or I forgot about it… which …
It’s Time for Fundamentals Week! Register for Tomorrow’s Classes.
This is it! You’ve been watching my free live Spring Training classes over the last several weeks, and they’ve whetted your appetite for serious SQL Server learning. You enjoy my laid-back, humorous approach to sharing what I’ve learn …
Introduction to SQL Commands, Part 2: Adding, Updating Data
This installment of our three-part series on SQL commands explores essential SQL commands for inserting, modifying, and deleting data within a SQL Server table.
Understanding CROSS APPLY and OUTER APPLY in SQL Server
Introduction When working with table-valued functions (TVFs) or subqueries, the CROSS APPLY and OUTER APPLY operators provide flexible ways to enhance SQL queries. While these operators might seem complex at first, understanding how they function can s …
SQL Saturday Richmond Roundup
On the weekend of April 5, 2025, I attended (and Redgate sponsored) SQL Saturday Richmond. Having lived for 5 years in the Virginia Beach (and worked for a company there for 20 more), Richmond events have long been a staple of my SQL Server community i …
Using the Default Trace in SQL Server
The post Using the Default Trace in SQL Server appeared first on SQLServerCentral.
The Subtle Differences Between COALESCE and ISNULL
If you’ve written SQL for a while, you’ve likely bumped into COALESCE and ISNULL. Both are handy for dealing with NULL values in your tables, swapping them out for something useful. They might seem interchangeable at first, but they’ve got some sneaky …
[Video] Office Hours in the Home Bar
On a sunny Saturday afternoon, I made myself a highball and went through your top-voted questions from https://pollgab.com/room/brento. Here’s what we covered: 00:00 Start 00:57 jrl: Do you have any advice about communicating effectively in a ful …
An Introduction to SQL Commands, Part 1
This first installment of a three-part series introduces essential SQL commands for creating, modifying, and deleting tables within SQL Server Management Studio.
A Method for Managing Hierarchies in PostgreSQL
The Postgres database management system was originally designed as object-relational. We remind why PostgreSQL is an object-relational rather than just relational database management system, and briefly discuss what kind of object-oriented features it …