An Introduction To Database Diagrams
Take a basic look at database diagrams, what they are, and how to create one.
2025-07-21
734 reads
Articles
Unlocking Interoperability: A Guide to Foreign Data Wrappers in PostgreSQL and Aurora PostgreSQL AWS RDS
Unlocking Interoperability: A Guide to Foreign Data Wrappers in PostgreSQL and Aurora PostgreSQL AWS RDS As a database professional, I often encounter scenarios where data is fragmented across various systems. In today's distributed IT landscape, it's not uncommon for critical business information to reside in different databases, perhaps an on-premise PostgreSQL instance for legacy applications, […]
2025-07-21
73 reads
2025-07-18
5,831 reads
When INCLUDE Columns Quietly Inflate Your Transaction Logs
In this article, I wanted to test a common assumption we DBAs make – that adding INCLUDE columns to indexes is harmless. I created a FULL recovery test database with a realistic wide Orders table containing extra large VARCHAR columns to simulate an ERP workload. I ran updates and measured transaction log backup sizes before and after adding INCLUDE columns to a nonclustered index. The results shocked me. The update without INCLUDE columns generated a 10 MB log backup, while the same update with INCLUDE columns produced over 170 MB – a 17x increase in log volume. I explain why this happens: INCLUDE columns are physically stored in index leaf rows, so updates affecting them write bigger log records. I also clarify that updating key columns generates even more log than INCLUDE updates because it involves row movement (delete + insert), but INCLUDE updates still cost more log than if those columns weren’t indexed at all. The takeaway is clear – INCLUDE columns are powerful, but they silently increase transaction log generation, impacting backup sizes, replication lag, and DR readiness. Always measure their real cost before deploying to production.
2025-07-18
676 reads
Getting In: Running External Code in a Locked-Down PaaS
In Part 1, I explored how to bend SQL Server Agent to our will and peek under the hood of Azure SQL Managed Instance (SQL MI), gaining full OS access to the container (all without relying on xp_cmdshell). But once I realized what kind of door I'd opened, curiosity pushed us further, tempting us to […]
2025-07-17 (first published: 2025-07-16)
438 reads
Dimensional Modeling Case Study, Part 4 – Dynamic Time Duration Dimension
In this next article, we look at creating balanced dimensions on demand.
2025-07-16
675 reads
Cassandra Springboot Integration With Redis
Article Overview In this article we will learn how to integrate a Spring boot application with Apache Cassandra database and Redis cache. This is an extension to one of our previous articles which demonstrates the steps to set up Apache Cassandra and how to integrate is with Springboot, link shared below. https://www.sqlservercentral.com/articles/cassandra-springboot-integration In this tutorial […]
2025-07-14 (first published: 2024-07-18)
60 reads
SQL Server 2022 Clusterless Distributed Availability Group
This article shows the final step of an availability group creation, specifically for a distributed clusterless one.
2025-07-14
4,122 reads
Revolutionizing Efficiency: The Power of Custom Automation Software Development
With the ever-increasing pace of the digital era, companies are continuously looking for opportunities to enhance efficiency, cut costs, and optimize operations. The most viable way to accomplish these is through Custom Automation Software Development.
2025-07-11
454 reads
SQL Server and AI: Integrating Machine Learning Services
Get a quick glimpse of using AI in SQL Server by implementing a machine learning system.
2025-07-11
2,208 reads
Blogs
Getting SQL Server 2025 RTM Running in Containers on macOS
SQL Server 2025 RTM is here, and if you’re running Docker on macOS, you...
The PASS Data Community Summit 2025 Recap
By Steve Jones
It’s Monday. I’ve been home since Fri night, but with a busy weekend, I’m...
Microsoft Post-Quantum Crypto APIs Are Now Generally Available
By Brian Kelley
I mentioned this in my talk on Quantum Computing at the PASS Data Community...
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The Ending Substring
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Configuring the On-Premises Data Gateway: The Fabric Modern Data Platform
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Question of the Day
The Ending Substring
In Azure SQL Database and SQL Server 2025, if I run this, what is returned?
SELECT '[' + SUBSTRING('Steve Jones', 7) + ']' See possible answers