People Make Odd Choices

One of my favorite things about going to in-person events is just the time when we're sitting around chatting, out in the hallway, over at the vendor booths, maybe in the speaker room. Any of them. Inevitably, you start to get what I would call "sea stories" (Navy & Coasties, "war stories" for the pickles, […]

SQL Server Columnstore Index Fragmentation

The Long Weekend

In the US, this is the Independence Day weekend. I had a few spare vacation days, so I tacked one on, making this a four day weekend. My plans are simple. Prep for my family coming over on the 5th for a celebration of the 4th (Ha!). Work on my query tuning book (gotta make […]

Own Your Mistakes

Hello, Grant again as Steve is on sabbatical. My evenings and weekends are currently being used to update my SQL Server query performance book for 2025. I really enjoy it because writing the book forces me to structure my learning on SQL Server 2025, not just hit it in some slipshod manner. Plus, I've got […]

Filling Big Shoes

Hey all! It's me, Grant. For those who don't me, Grant Fritchey. I work with Steve Jones, the person normally talking to you here. Yes, Redgate actually employs me, and continues to. I don't know why either. Anyway, Steve is off for a few weeks on his sabbatical. More power to him and I hope […]

T-SQL Tuesday #187: It’s Extended Events. It’s Always Extended Events

Joe Fleming wants to know how I solve weird problems. I’m not sure I’m actually qualified to answer this question since I, myself, am a weird problem, but I’ll...

SSMS 21 Fixes Irritating Problem

I have a proper blog post coming out tomorrow for T-SQL Tuesday, but today, celebrate with me that SSMS 21 finally, at long last, fixes the irritating fact that...

Greener Grass

Before I start the whining (whinging if you prefer), let me just say I have the greatest job in the world. I'm exceedingly lucky to have it. I'm grateful as can be. And someone else (looking at you Tim) can get it when they pry it from my dead cold fingers. With that out of […]

Query Hints and Estimated Plans

I’m working on an update to my Query Performance Tuning book for SQL Server 2025 and I found myself wondering, will a query hint be immediately apparent in an...

Stack Overflow & AI

I won’t try to pretend otherwise, I’ve had some mixed feelings about Stack Overflow for a long time. I think the concept of the place, ask a question, get...