Custom Built Statistics
Dan Holmes shows how you can create statistics exactly the way you want within the bounds of the 200 steps available.
2015-12-09
2,745 reads
Additional Articles
De-normalize database schema using JSON
Jovan Popovic talks about transforming complex relational structures into simpler tables using JSON format.
2015-12-08
4,095 reads
The SQL of the Feast Days of Western Christendom
Phil Factor's newest SQL expression calculates when all the feasts and saints days are, giving you plenty of potential causes for celebration.
2015-12-07
2,675 reads
The SQL Server 2016 Query Store: Overview and Architecture
SQL Server's Query Store, introduced in SQL Server 2016, helps to troubleshoot query performance by capturing a range of information about query usage, CPU, memory consumption, I/O and execution time, and retaining every Execution Plan for analysis. Much of this information is available through queries. It looks set to be the most significant enhancement of SQL Server 2016 - Enrico van de Laar explores.
2015-12-04
4,278 reads
Converting and Formatting Numbers Using the M Language
Power BI designer is based upon the Power Query formula language informally known as "M". Unfortunately, the advanced editor inside the Power BI designer does not support syntax highlighting, meaning it can be easy to make mistakes. Matt Mason shows how you can extend the Notepad++ editor to support this feature.
2015-12-03
3,200 reads
MySQL Pattern Matching using Regular Expressions
In this follow-up to Beyond the LIKE Operator: Advanced Pattern Matching with MySQL, Rob Gravelle shows how to use the REGEXP operator to match alphanumeric characters, explores the role of meta-characters, and compares standard regular expression syntax to that of MySQL.
2015-12-02
3,785 reads
Doing a SQL Server Healthcheck via PowerShell
PowerShell is an ideal tool for doing health-checks of a collection of SQL Server instances, and there are several examples around, but few acknowledge the fact that individual DBAs have their own priorities for tests, and need something easily changed to suit circumstances. Omid Afzalalghom's Healthcheck allows tests to be SQL or PowerShell and requires only adding, altering or deleting files in directories.
2015-12-01
4,827 reads
Introduction to Storage Spaces Direct for SQL Server
Glenn Berry introduces the exciting new feature in Windows Server 2016 called Storage Spaces Direct (S2D), which enables organizations to use multiple, clustered commodity file server nodes to build highly available, scalable storage systems with local storage, using SATA, SAS, or PCIe NVMe devices.
2015-11-30
2,839 reads
Programmatically changing SQL Server linked tables in Microsoft Access
Tim Wise explains how Microsoft Access provides a quick and easy way to create a simple front end for a SQL Server database by pointing linked tables to the SQL Server.
2015-11-27
2,764 reads
Routine SQL DML Testing for the Unenthusiastic Tester
There are more exciting things in life than unit testing SQL Statements, checking the results, timings, and execution plans. Phil Factor demonstrates a PowerShell-based technique taking the tedium out of testing SQL DML.
2015-11-26
3,247 reads
Blogs
Webinar: Navigating the Database Landscape in 2026
By Steve Jones
For a number of years, we’ve produced the State of the Database Landscape report,...
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I coach volleyball and I do a lot of stat stuff on paper. I...
A New Word: Dolorblindness
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dolorblindness – n. the frustration that you’ll never be able to understand another person’s...
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Question of the Day
What's the Date?
In SQL Server 2025, there is a new function that returns the current date without the time. What is it?
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