In this series of short articles, we lift the hood of the SQL Server Optimizer to examine a few of the many clever tricks used to optimize query performance. In Part I, we look at partial aggregate operators – an extremely clever way of downsizing certain large joins into much smaller (and faster) joins.
2014-01-01
3,857 reads
Big data is now a standard part of information technology architecture for most large organizations. As a database administrator, with the holiday season upon us, I have the following items and notions on my holiday wish list. Here's hoping that I am gifted one or more of these; each one gives me something that I want or need.
2013-12-31
4,492 reads
There are a few challenges associated with deployments of data services in Windows Azure, focusing in particular on SQL Database. In this article we turn our attention to an actual deployment and migration of locally stored data to SQL Database.
2013-12-30
3,822 reads
Every DBA needs to know about SQLPSX, the PowerShell module library that is built by DBAs for DBAs, and designed to provide intuitive functions around the SMO objects. Laerte Junior, who is one of the developers on the open-source project, describes how to use it.
2013-12-27
3,340 reads
Although BIML is very powerful, you wouldn’t use it to generate one package at a time. Using metadata, we can generate multiple packages on the fly. Koen Verbeeck illustrates how to convert the BIML script for generating the import package to a dynamic package generating machine.
2013-12-26
3,511 reads
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
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
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
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
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
By Steve Jones
This was Redgate in 2010, spread across the globe. First the EU/US Here’s Asia...
By John
Today is Christmas and while I do not expect anybody to actual be reading...
By Bert Wagner
Until recently, my family's 90,000+ photos have been hidden away in the depths of...
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Happy Holidays, Let's Do Nerdy...
Comments posted to this topic are about the item UNISTR Escape
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Celebrating Tomorrow
In SQL Server 2025, I run this command:
SELECT UNISTR('*3041*308A*304C\3068 and good night', '*') as "A Classic";
What is returned? (assume the database has an appropriate collation)
A: 
B: 
C: 
See possible answers