Cumulative updates are not to be feared; the cautionary text accompanying them will soon be a thing of the past.

I highlight a handful of Connect items aimed at improving SQL Server showplan diagnostics and query tuning in general.

I walk through a solution that allows you to achieve some of the benefits of partitioning, without the Enterprise Edition price tag.

I share a few of the queries I use to quickly hone in on changes that have been implemented between SQL Server CTPs.

Tip : Phase out CONTEXT_INFO() in SQL Server 2016 with SESSION_CONTEXT()

I highlight three Connect items that will address some pretty important shortcomings in SQL Server statistics.

Tip : Advanced JSON Techniques in SQL Server 2016 – Part 2

Tip : SQL Server 2016 Advanced JSON Techniques – Part 1

I talk about new arguments to SERVERPROPERTY() that make @@VERSION even more obsolete (and changes that make @@VERSION problematic).

Tip : Build a cheat sheet for SQL Server date and time formats

I show the most efficient way to return a running MAX or MIN aggregate in a grouped SQL Server query.

Tip : Cleanly Uninstalling Stubborn SQL Server Components

Tip : Search all string columns in all SQL Server databases

I add a few tidbits to follow up on a popular post on default cursor options in SQL Server.

I share my slide deck and sample code from a recent 24HOP presentation, and address audience questions from the session.

Tip : SQL Server 2016 Always Encrypted

Tip : SQL Server 2016 Row Level Security Limitations, Performance and Troubleshooting

How I worked around a recent problem with Windows 10 and its not-so-administrator administrator account.

Tip : SQL Server 2016 Row Level Security Introduction

Tip : Understand the Limitations of SQL Server Dynamic Data Masking

I follow up on Always Encrypted posts from T-SQL Tuesday with improved code and more information on performance and space usage.

Tip : Identify Candidate Tables for SQL Server 2016 Stretch Databases

These two things stop me in my tracks whenever I try to install SQL Server on a new VM.

Tip : Prepare for an Upgrade with the SQL Server 2016 Upgrade Advisor

I suggest a different approach to providing more data about service packs and cumulative updates than messing with @@VERSION.

Tip : Use Dynamic Data Masking in SQL Server 2016 CTP 2.1

I share the settings file for the dark theme I use for presentations in SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS).

I compare multiple date formatting techniques, demonstrating again that FORMAT() is not worth the convenience.

Tip : Protecting Yourself from SQL Injection in SQL Server – Part 2