SQL 2016 Won’t Sent Mail
One of the more challenging components to configure on SQL Server is SQL Mail. I don’t know how many times I have had to try it multiple times before...
2019-05-14
Database Administration
Automating Log File Expansion
Max Vernon shows how you can automatically expand log files to optimize VLF counts: SQL Server Database Log file expansion can be fairly tedious if you need to make...
2019-05-14
Spring Cleaning Your Tables – And Forgetting Your Indexes. A Story of Compression
Anyone who has been either a kid or a parent has probably heard this story before. The child is sent to clean their room, which to your eyes looks...
2019-05-11
Setup SQL Server Alert to get automatically notified of database blockings
Suppose you want to or need to know anytime your SQL Server is experiencing blocking where queries are being blocked and it may or may not escalate to a...
The...
2019-04-17
Database Offline – Redux
A database can be offline at the time that you take over responsibility of the database. You will be asked when it was taken offline. This script will help...
The...
2019-04-15
What the heck is downtime, anyway?
There’s a lot of discussion about preventing downtime. As a DBA and IT professional, it’s my sworn duty to prevent downtime. I usually describe my job as DBA something...
2019-04-15
How do I let someone execute a SQL Agent job they don’t own?
In my last post I discussed the fact that SQL Ids can, in fact, be useful on an instance that ... Continue reading
The post How do I let someone...
2019-04-15
SET IMPLICIT_TRANSACTIONS ON Is One Hell of a Bad Idea
By default, when you run a query in SQL Server, your delete/update/insert (DUI) is finished as soon as your query finishes. That’s because the default behavior of SQL Server is IMPLICIT_TRANSACTIONS OFF – meaning, SQL Server doesn’t hold your queries open waiting for a COMMIT or ROLLBACK.
2018-03-14
3,761 reads
Changing Data Types on Large Tables: The INT to BIGINT Conundrum
Changing a data type seems like a simple task unless the table is quite large and downtime must be kept to a minimum. Danny Kruge walks you through the process he created to change an INT to a BIGINT in a large table.
2018-03-13
10,620 reads
How to Suck at Database Administration
Tara Kizer outlines 15 telltale signs that you aren't a very good senior DBA.
2018-02-26
5,733 reads
Blogs
Claude AI Convinced Me Not to Build an iPad App
By Steve Jones
I coach volleyball and I do a lot of stat stuff on paper. I...
A New Word: Dolorblindness
By Steve Jones
dolorblindness – n. the frustration that you’ll never be able to understand another person’s...
Claude Code Helps Analyze Test Data Manager Log Files
By Steve Jones
I had a customer ask about analyzing their Test Data Manager (TDM) usage to...
Forums
Data Warehouse Toolkit meets Star Schema: The Complete Reference
Is there a good syllabus for reading these two together? (Yes, it's called the...
GPX distance and time analysis in SQL Server
Comments posted to this topic are about the item GPX distance and time analysis...
The DBA is Dead; Long Live the DBA
Comments posted to this topic are about the item The DBA is Dead; Long...
Question of the Day
Changing the AG Listener
In SQL Server 2025, if I want to remove an IP from a listener, what do I do?
See possible answers