Getting Started with SQL Data Masker: I Need to Mask some Columns

Grant Fritchey explains the core rules and features of Data Masker, and how you go about using them to mask columns, so that when the data is used outside the production system it could not identify an individual or reveal sensitive information.

Reduce CPU of Large Analytic Queries Without Changing Code

Microsoft introduced several features called Intelligent Query Processing for SQL Server in 2017 and 2019 that can improve performance without making changes to code. In this article, Greg Larsen demonstrates the feature Batch Mode on Rowstore.

Help us define the State of Database Monitoring in 2020

The State of SQL Server Monitoring was launched in 2018. This year we are interested in gathering insight across database platforms, not just SQL Server. Have your say and take the survey to be first to receive the report and enter your chance to win a $500 Amazon voucher.
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The First Time I Had to Restore a Database

Do you remember the very first time you had to do a database restore to fix something you messed up?

SQL Server Disaster Recovery Options

This presentation is to get you thinking about the disaster recovery options for SQL Server, things like backups, log shipping, Availability Groups, clustering and more while putting them in the context of the enterprise.

Working with SQL Cursors

In SQL cursors serve as a pointer that enables application programming language to deal with query results one row at a time. This article quickly explores the concept behind and show how to declare cursors, open, retrieve data from them, and then close them

Database DevOps is gaining popularity

Fourty-six percent of the State of Database DevOps survey respondents advised they are performing some form of deployment automation. This figure has risen year on year as the conversation of DevOps in Database development continues, and the benefits become more apparent. If you are interested in more insight, you can download a copy of the 2020 State of Database DevOps report here.

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The Staging Phase of Deployment

Despite some humorous examples of deployments gone wrong, failures are not funny. William Brewer explains why staging is so important and how it can help avoid the types of disasters he recalls in this article.

Database Reliability Engineer- The new DBA?

The role of the DBA is evolving! With automated builds, cloud and DevOps being the new A,B,C,Ds in the day to day management of databases, you need to up-skill and learn about Database Reliability Engineering. Join Microsoft MVP Hamish Watson to find out more.

DevOps is Essential for Analytics

Database DevOps means accurate and consistent data which is critical for analytics, artificial intelligence, and machine learning.