Testing PowerShell Modules with Pester
In the third article of this series on testing PowerShell code with Pester, Robert Cain demonstrates how to test the functions in a PowerShell module.
2018-11-12
2,113 reads
Articles
Unused Indexes - Are they really unused or have they just not been used YET?
Tara explains when index DMVs gets reset by telling a story from her dark past.
2018-11-09
3,197 reads
2018-11-08
1,868 reads
Azure EA Financial Reporting and Granular Access to Data Through the Enterprise
With the billing data from your Azure Enterprise Agreement collected into one database, it is still necessary to break down the costs and provide access to the correct departments and individuals. This is important for chargeback and further analysis. In this article, Feodor Georgiev demonstrates how to provide granular access to the billing data.
2018-11-08
2,241 reads
Simple way to Import XML Data into SQL Server with T-SQL
In this tip we look at a simple way to import a simple XML document into a SQL Server table.
2018-11-07
3,140 reads
Caution about Restoring via SSMS v17
A default value has changed in the SSMS v7 restore wizard, and the consequences can be severe.
2018-11-06
1,947 reads
How Big is Your Transaction Log?
If you are not managing the transaction log space used by a database, the transaction log might grow uncontrollably. With SQL Server 2017 there is a new dynamic management function (DMF) that exposes statistical information about a database transaction log. One of the things you can do with the information returned from this DMF is to determine how full a database transaction log file is.
2018-11-06
3,724 reads
Azure and Windows PowerShell: Using VM Extensions
In the third part of his series, Nicolas Prigent describes how to run post-deployment configuration and automation tasks on Azure Virtual Machines. Nicolas explains how to use Azure VM Extensions using the Azure PowerShell module to save time during the provisioning process.
2018-11-05
2,274 reads
5th annual “Seattle Freecon”
On Monday, November 5th, 2018, the 5th annual “Seattle Freecon” (a FreeCon in Seattle for those that might not be attending a pre-con before the PASS Summit) will be held. Put on by Jason Brimhall and Wayne Sheffield, there’s a set of 6 sessions you can attend for free that day. That’s right, absolutely FREE.
2018-11-02 (first published: 2018-10-29)
3,203 reads
Index Tuning Week: How Many Indexes Are Too Many?
When you're not sure, start by aiming for 5 or less indexes per table, with 5 or less fields each.
2018-11-02
4,276 reads
Blogs
How to Clear the SSMS Cache (SSMS 21 and Later)
By SQLPals
How to Clear the SSMS Cache (SSMS 21 and Later) Updated...
The flight recorder: Replaying what an AI agent did on my SQL Server
By Arun Sirpal
“What exactly did it do on my server?” is the first question a DBA...
Announcements from the Microsoft Fabric Community Conference — Barcelona 2026
By James Serra
Microsoft shared a broad set of Fabric, Power BI, and SQL updates at FabCon...
Forums
Let's Talk Certifications
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The Hidden Security Risks of Role Combination in SSAS Tabular
Comments posted to this topic are about the item The Hidden Security Risks of...
The Empty Aggregate
Comments posted to this topic are about the item The Empty Aggregate
Question of the Day
The Empty Aggregate
I have this table in a SQL Server 2025 database:
CREATE TABLE [dbo].[CustomerOrder] ( [OrderID] [int] NULL, [CustomerID] [int] NULL, [total] [money] NULL ) ON [PRIMARY] GOWhat is returned from this code? (answers are for the sum and then the count)
SELECT SUM(total) AS sum,
COUNT(total) AS count
FROM dbo.CustomerOrder;
See possible answers