It is easy to get database monitoring wrong. There are several common-sense rules that can make all the difference between a monitoring system that works for you and helps to avoid database problems, and one that just creates a distraction. Adam Machanic spells out the rules, based on his considerable experience with database monitoring.  Read more...

Part 4 of the top 5 hard earned lessons of a DBA.  Read more...

This article will show you the importance of Indexed Views and how they can help performance.  Read more...

I have heard about parameterization for SQL Server queries, but what is Forced and Simple Parameterization and which one should I use for my SQL Server database?  Read more...

A picture can express a thousand words. That's a phrase that many of us understand well, and one we embrace when we try to present large amounts of data in reports and dashboards. This week Steve Jones asks you what visualizations you use.  Read more...

This SQL Monitor custom metric tells you if a specific SQL Server Agent job that runs at the same time every day has overrun. The metric is useful when a job can have negative effects on other processes if it overruns.  Read more...

Business Intelligence architect, Analysis Services Maestro, and author Bill Pearson exposes the DAX ISBLANK() function, and then provides some hands-on exposure to its use, particularly in combination with other DAX functions, in managing empty values underlying our PowerPivot model designs.  Read more...

We’re putting together a free eBook of 50 tips for Azure Storage, if you’ve got tips that you’d like to share we’d love to hear from you.  Read more...

After a recent trip, Steve Jones noted a problem somewhere with the way airlines are handling passenger data.  Read more...

If you are using replication in SQL Server, you can monitor it in SSMS, but it makes sense to monitor distribution jobs automatically, especially if you can set up alerts or even set up first-line remedial action when a problem is detected. Francis shows how to do it in T-SQL as an agent job.  Read more...

A future world where the machines rule, as shown in films like Terminator and the Matrix, isn't what most people want. However the fears of machines taking over much of our world are very real. Steve Jones thinks it's not as bad as you might believe.  Read more...

How to render PDF documents using SQL CLR. Also a good introduction on creating SQL CLR functions.  Read more...

To meet our database configuration standards we want to make sure that we have only one database transaction log file and more than one data file. In this tip we look at how this can be done using a policy.  Read more...

Join us for a free day of SQL Server training and networking in Atlanta on May 18th.  Read more...

With all the talk about Big Data recently, Steve Jones looks at some of the issues with Big Data and how small data might be more important to you.  Read more...

Learn how to simplify deployment and maintenance of SQL CLR assemblies by using T-SQL instead of Visual Studio.  Read more...

The easiest ways to maintain and manage slowly changing dimensions is using Slowly Changing Dimension Transformation in the data flow task of SSIS packages.  Read more...

Using SQLCMD Mode in SSMS is easy. This short piece will show you how to get started.  Read more...

Research in industry can help a company leap ahead of it's peers. Steve Jones thinks this is a good idea for many companies to engage in and highlights some of the great work being done at Microsoft Research.  Read more...

SQL Server filtered indexes can save space and improve performance if they are used properly. Under what circumstances can they be used? When are they most effective, and what sort of performance gain or space-saving is likely? How does a filtered index affect the choice of execution plan? Seth Delconte explores these questions with practical experiments.  Read more...