How to recognize the early stages of burnout, and my treatment plan
I recently realized that I’m in the early stages of burnout. This isn’t an unfamiliar place for me, but it is new for me to recognize the early signs...
2019-05-14
11 reads
Paying down technical debt
One of the cool things that I do as an Evangelist at Redgate is to periodically visit company headquarters in Cambridge. The other Evangelists and I get to meet...
2019-05-07
10 reads
What is Automation?
Today I got a bit closer to a meaningful definition of automation, as it applies to the software development process. I’ve been turning this concept over in my head...
2019-04-29
18 reads
Should release cadence be slowed if you don’t have database load testing?
I got a question recently about a panel discussion on Database Development Disasters at SQL in the City Streamed. I had framed a question as, “how fast should development...
2019-04-23
14 reads
Upcoming full day training: “How to Architect Successful Database Changes”
I’m excited to be teaching a full day session with Steve Jones at the SQL PASS Summit on Tuesday, November 5, in Seattle. Steve and I will be discussing...
2019-04-19
7 reads
Take the 2019 State of SQL Server Monitoring Survey: Here’s What’s in It For You
Calling all Database Administrators, Developers, Analysts, Consultants, and Managers: Redgate has a survey open asking how you monitor your SQL Servers. Take the survey before April 5, 2019. Your...
2019-03-19
22 reads
The SQL Server Data Row Size Question: Why is It Bigger?
This morning, I received the following question from a user: Hello Madam, Could you please clarify SQLServer “Data Row” size: If I run the script below on SQL Server...
2019-03-19
22 reads
Why to Avoid Using the Current Database Name in Object Definitions in SQL Server
I’ve recently published an article, “Why You Shouldn’t Hardcode the Current Database Name in Your Views, Functions, and Stored Procedures,” over on Simple Talk. In the article, I discuss:...
2019-03-18
13 reads
PASS Summit 2019 Call for Speakers is Open – How I Sketch Out My Submission Ideas
Are you interested in speaking at the Professional Association for SQL Server’s annual Summit conference? The call for speakers is now open, and you may submit up to three...
2019-03-13
10 reads
Contest: Tell Your Database Development Disaster Story (5 winners get $150 USD or more each)
Redgate is building a library of real-world stories about database development disasters. Your mission: Tell us a true story in 500 words or less about a time when you...
2019-03-12
15 reads
Blogs
Microsoft Fabric OneLake Shortcuts: When to Use Them and When Not To
By James Serra
An architecture scenario Imagine separate Sales, Finance, Shared Data, and Executive Analytics workspaces. Sales...
SQL Server Security Hardening Guide Using the DoD STIG Checklist
Security on your SQL Server is important. That doesn’t need any explaining. But where...
EightKB 2026: Registration is Open!
It’s that time of year again! EightKB is back on August 20th at 13:00...
Forums
Backing Up a DMK
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The Quiet Part
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BIT_COUNT in SQL Server
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Question of the Day
Backing Up a DMK
In SQL Server 2025, I have a database with a Database Masker Key (DMK). I want to back up this key and keep a copy offline. When do I have to open this key before running the backup?
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