Security and compliance
Ensure data security and compliance with data masking, monitoring, and change traceability
SQL Prompt (44)
SQL Code Analysis (44)
All databases
All levels
Finding Correlated Rows Using EXISTS or COUNT
EXISTS rather than COUNT when checking for the existence of any correlating rows that match your criteria? Does the former really offer "superior performance and readability". Louis Davidson investigates. Read moreNeglecting to Use, or Misusing, the RETURN Keyword (BP016)
Problems with adding NOT NULL columns or making nullable columns NOT NULL (EI028)
Why you Should Avoid Using the @@IDENTITY Function
Problems Caused by Use of the SQL_VARIANT Datatype
The '= NULL' Mistake and other SQL NULL Heresies
What's new in SQL Prompt 9.5: SSMS 18 and VS 2019 support, improved suggestions and more
Insert Statement Without Column List (BP004)
INSERT code that omits a column list, usually in mysterious ways and often without generating errors. Phil Factor demonstrates the problem, and advocates a 'defense-in-depth' approach to writing SQL, in order to avoid it. Read moreUsing a Variable-length Datatype Without Explicit Length: The Whys and Wherefores (BP007/8)
(MAX) specification, which is a mistake too. Phil Factor explains the dangers and then offers a workaround for the problem, when… Read more