MySQL
Running MySQL in Docker With a Data Volume That Persists
Run MySQL 8.4 in Docker with a named volume, environment variables, a custom config, health checks, initialization scripts and safe upgrades.
6 min read
Topic
Administration
Backups you have actually restored, replicas that keep up, upgrades without drama, and a database that stays healthy.
MySQL
Installing MySQL 8.4 on macOS Linux and Windows Step by Step
Install MySQL 8.4 LTS on macOS, Ubuntu and Windows: package sources, first start, the root account, secure setup and checks that the server works.
6 min read
MySQLGuide
Getting a MySQL Server Running and Usable From Scratch
A beginner guide to getting a MySQL server running: choose a version, install, secure, connect, create users and fix the first errors.
16 min read
Excel
Using Parameters in a Database Query From Excel Safely
Drive a database query from cells in Excel with Power Query parameters, bind values instead of pasting text, and avoid SQL injection and stale dates.
7 min read
Excel
Connecting Excel to SQL Server With Power Query and ODBC
Connect Excel to SQL Server with the built in connector or ODBC: choose Windows or SQL authentication, encryption, a native query and read only access.
6 min read
Excel
Connecting Excel to MySQL With the Official Connector
Connect Excel to MySQL with Connector/NET or Connector/ODBC, create a read only user, run a query with Power Query and fix authentication and SSL errors.
6 min read
Excel
Connecting Excel to PostgreSQL With ODBC Step by Step
Install the psqlODBC driver, create a data source, connect Excel to PostgreSQL with a read only role, run a query and fix the usual bitness and SSL problems.
7 min read
ExcelGuide
A Practical Guide to Connecting Excel Directly to a Database
Connect Excel to PostgreSQL, MySQL and SQL Server with connectors and ODBC, using read only accounts, parameters, safe credentials, refresh and speed checks.
16 min read
YAML
Reading YAML Anchors in CI Files and Merge Key Gotchas
How to expand anchors and merge keys in CI files to see the effective job, and the yq 4.54.1 merge-key order bug that gave retries 2 where the spec says 5.
6 min read
YAML
Helm Values Files Without Copy Paste Using Layered Values
Layer Helm values so production overrides only what differs: maps merge, lists replace, --set wins. Rendered with helm template and checked with kubeconform.
7 min read
YAML
Reviewing YAML Config Changes in a Pull Request Safely
A two-line YAML diff can move a key to another level or turn a string into a float. Review the loaded data, not the text, with a short script and a linter.
7 min read
YAML
Naming Keys Consistently in YAML Config Files Everywhere
Pick one key style, enforce it with a JSON Schema pattern and fix old files with a yq command that renames every key. Real output for each step.
6 min read
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