> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://nolongerset.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# Throwback Thursday: October 22, 2026
- URL: https://nolongerset.com/throwback-thursday-2026-10-22/
- Published: 2026-10-23T02:06:38.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-23T02:06:38.000Z
- Description: In today's edition of Throwback Thursday, we revisit my B-BEAR technique and other tips for making safer changes on live databases.
- Author: Mike Wolfe
- Tags: Throwback Thursday

*With over a million words scattered across more than 1,800 articles on this blog, you've probably missed a few things here.*

*That’s why each week in "Throwback Thursday," we’ll revisit some standout posts. Expect a blend of my personal favorites, insightful articles from other great minds, and a touch of coding humor to keep things light.*

---

## Highlights from NoLongerSet.com

[B-BEAR: Quick and Dirty SQL Server TestingBegin, Before, Execute, After, Rollback. This technique makes testing your SQL Server statements a snap.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/eb/d7/ebd732c1-5f03-4f07-b386-5d08557e15c9/content/images/icon/NLS_Icon_square-7a76d8d2-28e0-42ea-af92-1ee1c4dd1112.png)No Longer SetMike Wolfe![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/eb/d7/ebd732c1-5f03-4f07-b386-5d08557e15c9/content/images/thumbnail/B-BEAR-2a2e3d14-2a74-4665-93cc-a875f1e150b1.png)](https://nolongerset.com/quick-and-dirty-sql-server-testing/)

[Using PRINT to Improve Safety of Live SQL Server Updates\[Me\]: Let's DELETE 5 records. \[SSMS\]: (7,393,253 rows affected) \[Me\]: {Updates LinkedIn profile: "#OPENTOWORK"} Avoid nasty SQL surprises with this easy technique.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/eb/d7/ebd732c1-5f03-4f07-b386-5d08557e15c9/content/images/icon/NLS_Icon_square-0a747b39-96df-47e7-bd07-d6593af8a786.png)No Longer SetMike Wolfe![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/eb/d7/ebd732c1-5f03-4f07-b386-5d08557e15c9/content/images/thumbnail/image-1--d422ae48-62fb-48b7-8389-5322116cfdba.jpg)](https://nolongerset.com/sql-server-print-statement/)

[5 Tips for Making Changes on Live SQL Server DatabasesMaking database changes on production? These 5 tips will make one of the most dangerous programming activities a little bit safer.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/eb/d7/ebd732c1-5f03-4f07-b386-5d08557e15c9/content/images/icon/NLS_Icon_square-7216bd7b-621f-47d4-8d49-a9ba6125e80b.png)No Longer SetMike Wolfe![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/eb/d7/ebd732c1-5f03-4f07-b386-5d08557e15c9/content/images/thumbnail/Live-Database-Changes--1--e7e85dfa-315d-4c1f-978d-220d88fc934c.jpg)](https://nolongerset.com/live-database-changes/)

## Developer Humor

I may take my defensive programming approach a bit *too* far at times...

![Panel 1: Pat, holding a printout, asks Ace, who is seated at an Access form: 'Can you fix one phone number in the customer table?' Ace, grinning: 'Of course!' Panel 2, forty minutes later: Ace stands at a whiteboard listing BEGIN TRAN, BEFORE, EXECUTE, AFTER, ROLLBACK and explains: '...then we ROLLBACK, compare before and after, and only then run it for real.' Pat looks exhausted. Panel 3: Seth, the bearded veteran, holding a mug, says flatly: 'Done. I opened the table and typed it.' Ace, horrified, shouts: 'IN PROD?!'](https://storage.ghost.io/c/eb/d7/ebd732c1-5f03-4f07-b386-5d08557e15c9/content/images/2026/10/003-one-phone-number.png)

*Cover image generated by Ideogram*