How many of you have ever run a database query with the wrong parameters and produced a report that you sent to fulfill a request? How quickly did you send another note to ask the report be discarded as a new one was coming? Probably a few of you. I know I have been in that situation during my career. If not a bad query, perhaps some of you incorrectly gathered data from other sources or made the mistake of killing the wrong session or updating the wrong data. Database errors occur, and often we have to decide how to pick of the pieces from a mistake.   Recently there was a fairly high profile database query error with Southwest Airlines. Apparently a mass email went out to let customers know they had been awarded the valuable "Companion Pass" from the company. Many customers with a heavy travel schedule aim for this to allow a companion to travel for free with them. After receiving the email, many contacted the company as they didn't expect the award. As someone that travels a lot, I know most of us do know exactly when we achieve some status and when we're short of the level. Read the rest of The Database Giveth and Taketh Away