Extract codes with REGEXP_SUBSTR in SQL Server 2025, locate matches, select occurrences and capture groups, and validate text boundaries.
Docker Volume for SQL Server: Keep Your Data Across Upgrades
A Docker volume keeps SQL Server data outside the container, so you can replace the container and keep every database. This post creates a named volume, copies a backup into it and upgrades by starting a newer image on the same volume. It also covers the cautions that protect your data.
MAXDOP Guidelines: Audit CPU and Memory Settings in SQL Server
MAXDOP guidelines start from the number of CPUs and NUMA nodes on the server. This post builds three read-only queries that show those facts, the current MAXDOP and cost threshold, and the memory settings. It also shows how to read the answer without changing anything.
Spotting Unusually Small Backups Against Each Database’s Average
Flag unusually small backups against database-specific history, use aggregate filtering, and investigate alerts without assuming data loss.
Splitting an Amount Across Rows Without Losing a Cent
Make splitting an amount preserve every cent by checking rounded shares, allocating weighted remainders, and documenting deterministic ties.
Plan Properties Window: Where the Useful Numbers Hide
The execution plan picture only shows the shape. The properties window shows what really happened, and I walk through it on a tiny example.
Masking Test Data With REGEXP_REPLACE in SQL Server 2025
Before a production copy reaches a developer, replace the real emails and phone numbers. Here is a small, checked way to do it with REGEXP_REPLACE.