SQL

The OPEN MASTER KEY statement in SQL Server is a critical command used to access encrypted data within a database. In SQL Server, the Database Master Key (DMK) is a symmetric key used to secure various database-level encryption keys, such as certificates and asymmetric keys.  Without properly managing the master key, accessing encrypted data or…

SQL Server Express is a free, lightweight edition of Microsoft’s SQL Server, ideal for developing and deploying small-scale applications. It offers a robust relational database management system (RDBMS) with features such as stored procedures, triggers, and views. This article will guide you through the process of installing SQL Server Express on your local machine, providing…

In SQL, the MINUS operator is used to subtract the result set of one query from another, but not all SQL dialects support it directly. Alternatives include the EXCEPT operator, which works similarly in databases like PostgreSQL and SQL Server.  You can also use a LEFT JOIN with a WHERE clause to filter out matching…

You cannot just pass zero to logarithm, it doesn’t mean anything! So, in the view of SQL, when calculating the logarithm of a value, it’s essential to ensure that the value is greater than zero, as attempting to calculate the logarithm of zero or a negative number will result in an error.  To handle this,…

To enhance the presentation of numerical data in SQL, especially when dealing with single-digit numbers, adding a leading zero can significantly improve readability and formatting.  Depending on the database system you are using, there are various functions available to achieve this. For instance, in MySQL and PostgreSQL, you can utilize LPAD(your_column, 2, ‘0’), while SQL…

The CASE statement is a powerful tool in SQL for creating conditional logic within your queries. It is similar to if-else statements in programming languages, allowing you to return different values based on specific conditions.  However, there are scenarios where you might want to explore alternatives to CASE statements for simplicity, performance, or readability. In…

In SQL, the DISTINCT keyword is commonly used to remove duplicate records from query results. It ensures that only unique values are returned from a column or a combination of columns.  However, there are situations where DISTINCT may not be the most efficient or appropriate option, especially in complex queries or performance-critical applications. This article…

Trailing zeros are zeros added after the decimal point in a number to reach a specified level of precision. Adding trailing zeros in SQL can be a useful technique when you need to ensure data consistency, especially in financial or standardized data where fixed-length numbers are essential.  Trailing zeros can help maintain the precision of…

Preserving leading zeros in SQL data types can be essential for various applications, such as managing codes, identifiers, or numbers with specific formats.  In this article, we will explore why preserving leading zeros is important, the common SQL data types used to store these values, and the methods to ensure they are maintained when stored…

RSA_PKCS1_PADDING has been a widely used padding scheme in cryptographic operations, particularly for RSA encryption and decryption. However, recent advancements and security considerations have led to its deprecation for private key decryption in many cryptographic libraries.  This article goes into the reasons behind this change, provides alternative methods for secure encryption and decryption, and offers…