9 Things to Do When You Inherit a Database
Some tips on what to do when you inherit a database that you've never worked on before
2012-06-26 (first published: 2009-06-22)
55,487 reads
Articles
Documenting the Undocumented
Not everything in SQL Server is documented and Steve Jones doesn't think that everything should be. However some features are used often and should have additional documentation.
2012-06-26
338 reads
T-SQL Integer Data-Type Conversions
This article will show some common integer data-type conversions using T-SQL.
2012-06-26
7,413 reads
The Perils of Running Database Repair
In a perfect world everyone has the right backups to be able to recover within the downtime and data-loss service level agreements when accidental data loss or corruption occurs. Unfortunately we don’t live in a perfect world and so many people find that they don’t have the backups they need to recover when faced with corruption.
2012-06-25
4,923 reads
The Road to Professional Database Development: Database Normalization
Not only is the process of normalization valuable for increasing data quality and simplifying the process of modifying data, but it actually makes the database perform much faster. To prove the point, Peter Larsson takes a large unnormalised database and subjects it to successive stages of normalisation.
2012-06-25
4,835 reads
Get Performance Tips Directly From SQL Server
This article describes a utility that allows you to inspect cached plans and extract information that can be useful in improving the performance of your SQL.
2012-06-22 (first published: 2009-06-11)
47,542 reads
Steps to Apply a Service Pack or Patch to Mirrored SQL Server Databases
Planning on patching my SQL Servers to the latest service pack, but not sure how to complete this for a environment that is using database mirroring? In this tip, will outline the environment and then walk through the process of patching mirrored servers.
2012-06-22
3,569 reads
Adding Map Callout Boxes in Reporting Services
A callout text box outside the map area would help to enhance the visual effect of presenting data in reporting services.
2012-06-21
6,565 reads
SQL View: Beyond the Basics
Joe Celko delves into the main uses of views, explains how the WITH CHECK OPTION works, and demonstrates how the INSTEAD OF trigger can be used in those cases where views cannot be updatable.
2012-06-21
4,945 reads
Simple Steps to Prepare Mirror Database for Mirroring in SQL Server
To prepare a database for mirroring, you need to perform the following steps: Script the restore of the latest full database backup, script the restore of every transaction log backup that has been made after that full database backup, copy the full database backup and transaction log backups to the mirror server, and run the restore scripts on the mirror server.
In this tip I will walk through these steps and provide sample scripts to prepare a database for mirroring.
2012-06-20
3,662 reads
Blogs
Claude AI Convinced Me Not to Build an iPad App
By Steve Jones
I coach volleyball and I do a lot of stat stuff on paper. I...
A New Word: Dolorblindness
By Steve Jones
dolorblindness – n. the frustration that you’ll never be able to understand another person’s...
Claude Code Helps Analyze Test Data Manager Log Files
By Steve Jones
I had a customer ask about analyzing their Test Data Manager (TDM) usage to...
Forums
Data Warehouse Toolkit meets Star Schema: The Complete Reference
Is there a good syllabus for reading these two together? (Yes, it's called the...
GPX distance and time analysis in SQL Server
Comments posted to this topic are about the item GPX distance and time analysis...
The DBA is Dead; Long Live the DBA
Comments posted to this topic are about the item The DBA is Dead; Long...
Question of the Day
Changing the AG Listener
In SQL Server 2025, if I want to remove an IP from a listener, what do I do?
See possible answers