Books

SQL Server Advanced Troubleshooting and Performance Tuning: Best Practices and Techniques

This practical book provides a comprehensive overview of troubleshooting and performance tuning best practices for Microsoft SQL Server. Database engineers, including database developers and administrators, will learn how to identify performance issues, troubleshoot the system in a holistic fashion, and properly prioritize tuning efforts to attain the best system performance possible.

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2026-02-02 (first published: )

2,807 reads

Introduction to PostgreSQL for the data professional

Introduction to PostgreSQL for the data professional

Adoption and use of PostgreSQL is growing all the time. From mom-and-pop shops to large enterprises, more data is being managed by PostgreSQL. In turn, this means that more data professionals need to learn PostgreSQL even when they have experience with other databases. While the documentation around PostgreSQL is detailed and technically rich, finding a simple, clear path to learning what it is, what it does, and how to use it can be challenging. This book seeks to help with that challenge.

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2026-01-30 (first published: )

5,067 reads

The Phoenix Project

The Phoenix Project: A Graphic Novel about IT, DevOps, and Helping Your Business Win

Adapted from the acclaimed bestselling book, The Phoenix Project Graphic Novel Volume 1 introduces readers to a stalwart cast of characters as they are challenged by the four types of work that impact complex workflows.

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2026-01-26 (first published: )

2,938 reads

Definitive Guide to DAX cover

The Definitive Guide to DAX: Business Intelligence for Microsoft Power BI, SQL Server Analysis Services, and Excel

Now expanded and updated with modern best practices, this is the most complete guide to Microsoft’s DAX language for business intelligence, data modeling, and analytics. Expert Microsoft BI consultants Marco Russo and Alberto Ferrari help you master everything from table functions through advanced code and model optimization.

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2026-01-23 (first published: )

3,350 reads

SQL Server 2022 Query Performance Tuning

Troubleshoot slow-performing queries and make them run faster. Database administrators and SQL developers are constantly under pressure to provide more speed. This new edition has been redesigned and rewritten from scratch based on the last 15 years of learning, knowledge, and experience accumulated by the author. The book Includes expanded information on using extended events, automatic execution plan correction, and other advanced features now available in SQL Server.

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2026-01-19 (first published: )

1,918 reads

Architecting Power BI Solutions in Microsoft Fabric

Business Intelligence (BI) tools like Power BI are used by a wide range of professionals, creating diverse and complex scenarios, and finding the right solution can be daunting, especially when multiple approaches exist for a single use case. The author distills his 17 years of experience on various data platform technologies in this book to walk you through various Power BI usage scenarios.

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2026-01-16 (first published: )

4,386 reads

Murach's SQL Server 2022 for developers

Murach's SQL Server 2022 for Developers is a comprehensive guide to database design and management. This computer book teaches essential SQL statements through clear examples and practical exercises. The book's unique paired-pages format makes learning database software concepts easier, while providing in-depth coverage of database management fundamentals. Ideal for both beginners and seasoned developers seeking to enhance their data management skills.

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2026-01-05 (first published: )

1,328 reads

Blogs

Don’t Miss Out – SQL Server Query Tuning Fundamentals Starts Next Monday!

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Next Monday, February 9, 2026, my one-day live online training SQL Server Query Tuning...

Monday Monitor Tips: SQL Auditing Preview

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One of the features we advocates have been advocating for is a better way...

SQL Server 2025 CU1 Fixes the Docker Desktop AVX Issue on macOS

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Microsoft fixed the AVX instruction issue in SQL Server 2025 CU1. The container now...

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25 Years of SQL Server Central

By Steve Jones - SSC Editor

Comments posted to this topic are about the item 25 Years of SQL Server...

The Decoded Value

By Steve Jones - SSC Editor

Comments posted to this topic are about the item The Decoded Value

Deploying SQL Server Developer Edition in Kubernetes: A Cost-Effective Alternative to RDS

By Sujai Krishna

Comments posted to this topic are about the item Deploying SQL Server Developer Edition...

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Question of the Day

The Decoded Value

In SQL Server 2025, what is returned from this code:

DECLARE @message VARCHAR(50) = 'Hello SQL Server 2025!';
DECLARE @encoded VARCHAR(MAX);

SET @encoded = BASE64_ENCODE(CAST(@message AS VARBINARY(1000)));
SELECT BASE64_DECODE(@encoded) 

See possible answers