When Does Index Size Change Index Choice?
Erik purposely fragments indexes trying to slow down queries.
2018-02-15
3,508 reads
Articles
Calculating DTU's for Azure SQL Database
This calculator will help you determine the number of DTUs for your existing SQL Server database(s) as well as a recommendation of the minimum performance level and service tier that you need before you migrate to Azure SQL Database.
2018-02-14
4,721 reads
SQL Server Machine Learning Services – Part 4: Finding Data Anomalies with Python
Python is widely used to analyze data. One such use is to find anomalies or outliers. In this article, Robert Sheldon demonstrates how to create a support vector machine (SVM) to score test data so that outliers can be viewed on a scatter plot.
2018-02-14
3,434 reads
Restore a Database with CDC Enabled
In this post, I’m going to talk about an issue that I found while restoring a backup of CDC enabled database to different SQL instance. You may receive below warning message that includes information about the cause of the warning, which can help you to resolve the issue.
2018-02-13
7,253 reads
Updating an expired SQL Server TDE certificate
Simon Liew explains how to generate a new TDE certificate to replace the previous, and also looks at the steps needed if the database is in an Availability Group.
2018-02-13
2,865 reads
A Simple Introduction to Dynamic SQL
Dynamic SQL is essentially normal SQL written in such a way that you end up with a “customised” SQL script at run-time.
2018-02-12
4,155 reads
How to Implement Dynamic Data Masking in Azure SQL Database and SQL Server
Anoop Kumar shows you the SQL Commands (T-SQL) to secure PII/PHI data using the SQL Server Dynamic Data Masking (DDM) feature and explores DDM's built in functions to mask all critical data elements. DDM restricts unauthorized users from accessing critical data with no changes in the application.
2018-02-12
2,929 reads
The COUNT Function in T-SQL
The COUNT function is among the most used functions in the T-SQL codes. Even though COUNT is easy to use, it should be used carefully because it could often not return the desired result. For the big tables, the counting of the rows could cause blocking as well as take some more time.
2018-02-09 (first published: 2016-07-12)
10,973 reads
Azure Cosmos DB Consistency Levels
The majority of traditional database management systems are responsible for making sure that any changes to their data are consistently reflected in the results of subsequent queries. Azure Cosmos DB extends the range of consistency options by providing support for bounded-staleness, session, and consistent prefix models.
2018-02-09
2,650 reads
Mobile Report Publisher – Dashboards Everywhere
The new feature, Mobile Reports, was added to SSRS in 2016. It provides the ability to create attractive and useful dashboards that can run on devices and most browsers. Robert Cain shows you how to get started building Mobile Reports with the Mobile Report Publisher.
2018-02-08
3,562 reads
Blogs
Ramblings about data communities and your contributions, no excuses
By DataOnWheels
I have been active in the data community throughout my career. I have met...
SQL Server Journey till 2025 (brief)
By Vinay Thakur
Quick Summary for Microsoft SQL Server till 2025, I am fortunate to be part...
Building Power BI Reports: Desktop vs Fabric
By James Serra
Why this comparison feels confusing If you’re a Power BI report author who’s just...
Forums
Simulating Mercury’s Orbital Motion Using Pure T-SQL (NASA 2025 Dataset)
SQL Server is typically viewed as a transactional or analytical database engine. However, it...
Azure SQL Database | CREATE EVENT SESSION [Blocking_Capture] ON DATABASE
Hello, Is there a way in Azure SQL Database to change the 'Blocking Process...
Having a Little Fun at SQL Server Central
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Having a Little Fun at...
Question of the Day
String Similarity I
On SQL Server 2025, when I run this, what is returned?
SELECT EDIT_DISTANCE_SIMILARITY('SQL Server', 'MySQL') See possible answers