Parameterized Queries
A Greg Larsen classic - he discusses how the SQL Server optimizer tries to parameterize a query if it can, as well as how you can build your own parameterized query.
2013-12-25
6,728 reads
Additional Articles
Reporting Services Performance and Optimization
This technical note provides guidance for Reporting Services. The focus of this technical note is to optimize your Reporting Services architecture for better performance and higher report execution throughput and user loads.
2013-12-24
4,854 reads
Next-Level Parallel Plan Forcing: An Alternative to 8649
The trace flag 8649 is incredibly useful. Alas, the flag is undocumented, unknown, and its full impact difficult to understand. Adam Machanic presents an alternative which you might find useful.
2013-12-23
2,190 reads
Creating a Table Warehouse to Retain Historical Data for a SQL Server Table
Brady Upton explains how to create a quick data warehouse to store all the data in a separate table so that it doesn’t get groomed.
2013-12-20
9,732 reads
Primary Key Primer for SQL Server
Every database developer uses keys, but without always understanding all the ramifications. They come with few hard and fast rules, but if you get them right from the start with a database design, the whole process of database development is simpler, and the result is likely to perform better. We asked Phil for advice, little knowing that the explanation might take a while.
2013-12-19
5,005 reads
How to Use Microsoft's AMR Tool
In order to help DBAs determine which tables and stored procedures might be good to take advantage of using the new In-Memory OLTP tables in SQL Server 2014, Microsoft introduced the AMR Utility. Greg Larsen explores how to use this tool.
2013-12-18
3,168 reads
SQL Server tablediff utility
Rob Sheldon continues on his quest to explain all those command-line tools such as SQLCMD, Logparser, SQLIO and tablediff that are part of SQL Server. TableDiff can be used for comparing tables, as when you run automated tests that check a result against a table of expected values. The best way to learn TableDiff is to see it in action and Rob talks you through several examples.
2013-12-17
3,609 reads
Import UTF-8 Unicode Special Characters with SQL Server Integration Services
If you work with large scale SSIS ETL processes and sequences, you are bound to have to work with UTF-8 encoded text files. Without proper handling, UTF-8 / Unicode characters can cause havoc with your SSIS load tasks. Here are some ideas for handling the UTF-8 file formats with SSIS.
2013-12-16
2,655 reads
Model Based Testing at Red Gate
Phil Scrace, a test engineer at Red Gate, talks about adopting Model Based Testing (MBT), a technique that combines graph theory and code writing to help keep pace with frequently changing functionality.
2013-12-13
2,374 reads
How to find user who ran DROP or DELETE statements on your SQL Server Objects
Someone has dropped a table from your database and you want to track who did it. Or someone has deleted some data from a table, but no one will say who did. In this tip, we will look at how you can use the transaction log to track down some of this information.
2013-12-12
6,938 reads
Blogs
Fighting Procrastination?
By Brian Kelley
Here is another short video (~ 15 minutes). This is by the author of...
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I had a briefing for the 2026 PASS Data Community Summit, which is just...
How to Measure AI Value: A 6-Branch AI Maturity Model for Use Cases and Agents
Your AI is busy. But do you know what it's worth? Most companies can...
Forums
Azure SQL Hyperscale Unveiled
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What is the worst part about existing monitoring solutions?
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MiniMax m3 and SQL Server
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Question of the Day
SQL Server Vector Support I
What are vectors in SQL Server 2025, as related to the new AI features?
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