Everything we've written about SQL Server: connections, SQL patterns, imports, clients, and comparisons.
Clustered vs nonclustered indexes, included columns, key lookups, filtered indexes, and columnstore, with execution plan checks to verify indexes are used.
A practical guide to T-SQL JSON functions: JSON_VALUE, JSON_QUERY, OPENJSON, FOR JSON, JSON_MODIFY, plus the native json type and JSON indexes in SQL Server 2025.
Connect to Microsoft SQL Server from Ruby with tiny_tds and FreeTDS, plus Sequel and ActiveRecord. Working code for connections, parameterized queries, the OUTPUT clause for generated keys, TLS/encryption on FreeTDS, named instances, and the errors you actually hit.
Connect to Microsoft SQL Server from PHP with the official sqlsrv and pdo_sqlsrv drivers: ODBC Driver 18, the Encrypt-defaults-on TLS trap, prepared statements, transactions, the OUTPUT clause for generated keys, and the errors you actually hit.
Connect to Microsoft SQL Server from C# with Microsoft.Data.SqlClient: ADO.NET basics, async queries, parameters, the Encrypt-by-default TLS change that breaks local connections, pooling, Dapper and EF Core, and the errors you actually hit.
Connect to Microsoft SQL Server from Java with the official mssql-jdbc driver: JDBC URL, the encrypt-by-default TLS change that breaks local connections, HikariCP pooling, named instances, integrated auth, and the errors you actually hit.
Connect to Microsoft SQL Server from Go with the official microsoft/go-mssqldb driver. Working code for the URL DSN, @p1 named parameters, the LastInsertId trap, the encrypt default, named instances, Azure AD auth, and connection pooling.
Connect to Microsoft SQL Server from Node.js using the mssql package over the Tedious driver. Working code for connection pools, the encrypt/trustServerCertificate trap, Azure AD auth, and parameterized queries.
Connect to Microsoft SQL Server from Python with pyodbc, the new official mssql-python driver, or pymssql. Working code, the ODBC Driver 18 encryption trap, Linux setup, and which driver to pick in 2026.
How to use common table expressions in SQL Server. Covers WITH syntax, chaining CTEs, recursive CTEs for hierarchies, the MAXRECURSION 100 default, the semicolon quirk, and CTE vs temp table.
How to use window functions in SQL Server with OVER, PARTITION BY, and frame clauses. Covers ROW_NUMBER, RANK, LAG/LEAD, the RANGE default gotcha, and the 2022 WINDOW clause and IGNORE NULLS.
Four methods to import CSV files into Microsoft SQL Server: BULK INSERT, bcp utility, SSMS Import Wizard, and Mako. Includes format files, permissions, and error handling.
Four ways to import Excel data into SQL Server: the SSMS Import Wizard, OPENROWSET with the ACE provider, Python with pyodbc, and Mako. Covers the ACE driver, linked servers, and common permission issues.
Four ways to import JSON data into Microsoft SQL Server: OPENROWSET with OPENJSON, a Python script with pyodbc, SSIS, and Mako. Covers NVARCHAR(MAX) storage, indexing, and large file handling.