SELECT *
SELECT * feels convenient, but in SQL Server it bloats I/O, burns network bandwidth, blocks covering-index usage, and makes code brittle when schemas change. Specify only the columns you...
2025-10-02
43 reads
SQL Server is Slow, part 3 of 4
In parts 1 and 2 of this series, we’ve gathered info and done the triage just like anyone in almost any industry does At this point you’ve: Defined what...
2025-10-27 (first published: 2025-10-01)
1,742 reads
AI Model Size, Parameters and Download
At SQL Saturday Boston 2025, I gave a presentation on local LLMs and there was a great question that I wasn’t sure about. Someone asked about the download size...
2025-10-01
46 reads
SplashFlag - Building an IoT Swimming Notification Device from Scratch
After setting up dozens of Internet of Things (IoT) smart home devices, I started to wonder: how hard could it be to build one from scratch?
I needed a project...
2025-10-01
18 reads
Expanding Your DBA Horizons: Installing PostgreSQL in a Home Lab
Are you diversifying your DBA skillset? My recent job search made one thing clear: the database landscape is broader than just SQL Server and Oracle. More and more companies...
2025-09-30
140 reads
Back in the EU
I flew to Amsterdam last night and hopefully by the time this publishes I’ll be at my hotel, catching up on messages and prepping for another Simple Talk Podcast...
2025-09-29
17 reads
The Feedback Multiplier: How Leaders Can Turn Input into Innovation
In every organization there is a hidden currency more valuable than capital, more enduring than strategy, and more transformative than technology. That currency is feedback. Leaders who learn to...
2025-10-22 (first published: 2025-09-29)
158 reads
Setting up SQL Server S3 Object Storage Integration using MinIO with Docker Compose (Updated for SQL Server 2025)
Update for SQL Server 2025:
This post and the GitHub repo have been updated for SQL Server 2025 RC1 and Ubuntu 24.04.
New in SQL Server 2025: You no longer need...
2025-10-27 (first published: 2025-09-29)
398 reads
SQL Saturday Boston Slides and Code
Thanks to everyone who attended my sessions today at SQL Saturday Boston 2025. I’ve got resources listed below Slides Here are the slides from my two sessions Running a...
2025-09-27
30 reads
Scaling SQL Server 2025 Vector Search with Load-Balanced Ollama Embeddings
SQL Server 2025 introduces native support for vector data types and external AI models. This opens up new scenarios for semantic search and AI-driven experiences directly in the database....
2025-10-20 (first published: 2025-09-27)
1,461 reads
Blogs
Introducing azsql-migration-test: Test and Validate Azure SQL Database Migrations
Introducing azsql-migration-test, a small open-source CLI that validates your Azure SQL Database migrations against...
Rambling about Data on Wheels – origins, branding, expansion
By DataOnWheels
I have been asked many times about how the name “Data on Wheels” came...
Think Twice Before Enabling Fabric’s Inbound Network Protection
Fabric inbound network protection involves two tenant-level controls: Private Link and Block Public Internet...
Forums
AI Observability Challenges in FinOps as a DBA
Comments posted to this topic are about the item AI Observability Challenges in FinOps...
Migration Challenge: Excessive FULLSCAN Statistics Update Duration Blocking SQL
Hello everyone , I am planning to migrate a database from SQL Server 2014...
SQL Agent Job Automated Change Capture Process
Comments posted to this topic are about the item SQL Agent Job Automated Change...
Question of the Day
Finding a Database Master Key
Where do I check for the existence of a Database Master Key (DMK) in SQL Server 2025?
See possible answers