Detecting SQL code smells using code analysis
Watch out, watch out, there's a NOLOCK hint about. And probably a few other SQL code smells.
2018-07-02
386 reads
Phil Factor
- Interests: Motorbikes, Beer, gardening, conservation, Local history.
One law for me, another for EU
Phil Factor notes that the EU's approach to the GDPR seems to be "do as I say, not as I do".
2018-06-04
62 reads
An Unlikely Taste for Documentation and Archiving
So, in general, what information (Scripts, configuration information, lists and documents) ought DBAs to retain about the databases and servers they are responsible for?
2018-05-31 (first published: 2014-11-10)
201 reads
The Technology Journey to Disaster
Phil Factor on a journey that started with a decision to introduce a new IT platform, and ended in a disaster that left TSB customers locked out of their accounts, experiencing problems such as zero balances, incorrect currencies, and massively inflated mortgage amounts.
2018-05-07
311 reads
Stumbling over Words
Phil Factor argues that the ability to write simply and expressively is a much under-valued skill in IT, and explains the main traps to avoid.
2018-04-09
109 reads
Troublesome Names
Building a name-and-address database sounds a disarmingly simple task, but if your name happens to be D'Arcy Join, then you probably know, from painful experience, that most programmers don't get it right.
2018-03-12
328 reads
Database Taming
Sometimes a database can seem to be as willful as a colt. Taming it requires an iron nerve, and unflinching eye contact. Occasionally though, you need to know when to jump the fence and regroup.
2018-02-12
75 reads
Data-driven Prototypes
Phil Factor on a tale of how dodgy mock data derailed an otherwise-convincing prototype.
2018-01-15
198 reads
The Appearance of the Flat File Wizard.
After many barren years, Phil Factor is pleased to see the first signs of Spring in SSMS.
2017-12-04
88 reads
A well-earned break from the database
Databases, like sheep, get get into some surprising scrapes. However, as long as you've planned for all the common mishaps, your conscience should be clear to take a well-earned holiday.
2017-11-27
68 reads
Blogs
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As a DevOps practitioner, I’ve always focused on performance, scalability, and automation. But as...
March 2026 SQL Server Security Updates
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When mirroring was first released for Azure SQL Database, it used Change Data Capture...
Forums
Multiple Deployment Processes
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How to Use sqlpackage to Detect Schema Drift Between Azure SQL Databases
Comments posted to this topic are about the item How to Use sqlpackage to...
Upgrading Admin Queries
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Upgrading Admin Queries
Question of the Day
Upgrading Admin Queries
I have a query from a former DBA that we run on SQL Server 2025 to check on database metadata. This query references sys.sysaltfiles. I want to refactor this code to be more modern. Which DMV should I reference instead?
See possible answers