Indexes can be the most critical part of any database. they can drastically improve performance or they can ruin it. Wise management is the key to success.
2018-03-09 (first published: 2016-02-15)
8,169 reads
It's 15 years after the beginning of the century. Time to eliminate the security exposure of SQL logins, and implement integrated security. Active Directory Groups make this easy for the DBA.
2018-02-02 (first published: 2015-12-21)
9,760 reads
As security threats proliferate, the need for encryption will continue to rise. We who are the Guardians of the Data must be ready to make SQL Server respond and to manage the performance issues that are inherent in every data encryption solution.
2018-01-16
4,493 reads
Most IT departments are moving toward ITIL-aligned practices. Gain a general understanding of the ITIL framework and how Database Administrators can take advantage of it.
2017-10-24 (first published: 2015-10-26)
10,837 reads
Almost all SQL Server databases grow in size over time. Capacity planning is an important activity for the DBA. You need to know how long before you run out of space long before you actually do. Here are some helpful tips and tricks.
2017-05-12 (first published: 2016-06-09)
7,773 reads
Many reports you will generate in SSRS will need to report within date ranges, and most of those will need a date range parameter. Here's an way to make an easy-to-use date range parameter.
2017-03-31 (first published: 2015-11-18)
14,729 reads
With AD Authentication via groups, SQL Server is vulnerable to orphaned Windows users' logins being added to SQL Server at a later date. This article gives an improved user audit script that detects orphaned DB Users and also a delete script.
2016-07-18
2,997 reads
Risk-averse managers are reticent to upgrade to the latest and greatest. Why is this the case and how can the savvy DBA make the case for and get ready for a newer version of SQL Server?
2016-06-28
2,888 reads
Next Monday, February 9, 2026, my one-day live online training SQL Server Query Tuning...
By Steve Jones
One of the features we advocates have been advocating for is a better way...
Microsoft fixed the AVX instruction issue in SQL Server 2025 CU1. The container now...
Comments posted to this topic are about the item 25 Years of SQL Server...
Comments posted to this topic are about the item The Decoded Value
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Deploying SQL Server Developer Edition...
In SQL Server 2025, what is returned from this code:
DECLARE @message VARCHAR(50) = 'Hello SQL Server 2025!'; DECLARE @encoded VARCHAR(MAX); SET @encoded = BASE64_ENCODE(CAST(@message AS VARBINARY(1000))); SELECT BASE64_DECODE(@encoded)See possible answers