SQLServerCentral.com Users Survey 2013

We want to make sure we're covering the things that are relevant to you, so we're asking for some feedback on what you use on SSC, where we need to improve, and what you'd like to see.

It should only take a few minutes, and three randomly-selected people will win a $100 Amazon gift card for their efforts.

Concatenation of Different SQL Server Data Types

TSQL provides 2 ways to concatenate data, the + sign and the new CONCAT() function. This tip will cover the differences in the two, so you can achieve the expected behavior in your code.

An Introduction to Windows Azure BLOB Storage

Azure BLOB storage is persistent Cloud data storage that serves a variety of purposes. Mike Wood shows the basics of how to use it, from start through to snapshots and metadata; both from .NET, and by using the free tool, Cerebrata Azure Explorer.

Using Microsoft Excel to Retrieve SSAS Tabular Data

Although it is well-known how to create a tabular database in PowerPivot, it is less obvious that there are several useful options for retrieving SSAS tabular data into Excel. This provides an easy way of manipulating, visualizing and analyzing the data without needing to know the details of SSAS and the tabular model.

The Big Data DBA

Many IT enterprises are starting pilot projects to implement big data solutions. This article highlights what you need to know to check if you're ready to support these efforts, and integrate them into your current architecture, processes, and standards.

Intervals and Counts - Part 1

When using SQL Server, you frequently need to work with data that represents intervals of time. For example, consider intervals representing sessions, contracts, projects, and so on. Tasks related to interval manipulation are typically quite intriguing, especially because coming up with efficient solutions isn't easy. Itzik Ben-Gan explains

Baselining with SQL Server Dynamic Management Views

When you're monitoring SQL Server, it's better to capture a baseline for those aspects that you're checking, such as workload, Physical I/O or performance. Once you know what is normal, then performance tuning and resource provisioning can be done in a timely manner before any problems becomes apparent. We can prevent problems by being able to predict them. Louis shows how to get started.

VMware High Availability in SQL Server

With the massive number of servers running SQL Server within virtual machines (VMs), it's critically important for DBAs to understand the high availability options available when SQL Server is running within a VM.

PowerShell the SQL Server Way

Although Windows PowerShell has been available to IT professionals going on seven years, there are still many IT pros who are just now deciding to see what the fuss is all about. Depending on your job, you might find PowerShell an invaluable tool. Microsoft's plan is that PowerShell will be the management tool for all of its servers and platforms. For most IT pros, it's not a matter of if you'll be using PowerShell, only a matter of when.

AlwaysOn in SQL Server 2014 CTP1

AlwaysOn encompasses the SQL Server solutions for mission-critical high availability and disaster recovery. Two solutions were included under the AlwaysOn umbrella in SQL Server 2012: Availability Groups and Failover Cluster Instances. Each solution has different characteristics, making them appropriate for different scenarios, and both can be combined in the same deployment.