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SQL*Plus variables – Oracle Next ID Number without a Database Sequence

Traditionally the mechanism to retrieve near sequential numbers for the purposes of a database table PK is to use a database sequence. Occasionally ...Read more

LINQ: Expression or Query syntax? They’re equivalent aren’t they?

Vocal members of the development community regularly spout their opinions. What they say and proffer has to be taken as fact, doesn't it, ...Read more

Parallel.ForEach and a blocking/threading saga

I was recently doing a bit of weekend homework and encountered a piece of code that resembles the following (with all the grubby ...Read more

Oracle SQL – Querying columns containing CSV ID’s

Data modellers, developers, and purists all hate it when multiple ID values are stored in a single database column value. Data modellers hate ...Read more

Junk DNA – Junk Oracle, part 0000003 …. DROP TABLE IF EXISTS

Almost every week I write or enhance software components that are deployed into a PROD environment. Every week, the full-fat versions of the ...Read more

Oracle, the gift that keeps on giving

When using Oracle I sigh often (from the perspective of a database developer). Oracle have, by design, implemented instability into their execution plan costings. ...Read more

I am a fungible (don’t know the meaning?) resource

Human Resources - what a stupid name. It is almost patronising to think of someone as a resource, although admittedly it does feel ...Read more

I am not ‘On the spectrum’, I just expect consistency!

My first calculator was a Casio FX81. At the time for someone in their teens in the late 80's in NZ, it was the ...Read more

SQL Server Installation (end-to-end on new Ubuntu 18.04 Bionic Beaver Virtual Machine/Parallels on MacBook Pro)

Sometimes you get surprises while working in IT, you follow a simple set of instructions and things work for example. Rewording that sentence ...Read more

Is the default response to work out something we already understand, or Google it regardless?

I have many email accounts. Some with spam and virus filters, some without, some personal, some for business, some as redirects from a couple ...Read more