What does a modern DBA actually do? 6 key points from a senior DBA

We sat down with Lee Brownhill, a senior DBA and Redgate Ambassador with 20 years of experience, to get his honest take on where the role is heading – and what database professionals are actually focused on right now.

Miscellaneous Thoughts About Building Stuff with AI in July 2026

Over the past couple of years, I've been using the bejeezus out of AI. I don't really feel like an expert by any means - it's so hard to keep up with the advancements - but I've been enjoying reading Grant Fritchey's series on building stuff with AI, and I thought you might enjoy some of my lessons learned as well.

SQL Server index tuning: common mistakes and how to fix them

This guide walks through the most common SQL Server index tuning mistakes seen in production environments, such as over-indexing, oversized INCLUDE lists, unnecessary fill factor settings, misuse of SORT_IN_TEMPDB, over-aggressive index maintenance – and the myth that heaps are a shortcut to speed. Features real examples.

Learn From History

I've just spent a week in the UK visiting the Redgate HQ with my fellow advocates. I'm really blessed to get to work with such a great bunch of people. A couple of the conversations we had stuck with me and I'd like to share them here. Sitting in the midst of Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, UK, […]

The Hidden Danger of Wildcard Operators In Join Operations

This article looks at one of the killers of performance at scale, SELECT *.

Stairway to Reliable Database Deployments Level 6 – Managing Changesets Over Time

As database changesets accumulate over time, they gradually become more than deployment artifacts. This level explores how a well-organized changeset library evolves into a replayable representation of the database’s structural history, supporting not only reliable deployments but also reconstruction, auditing, and long-term maintainability. Through practical examples and a real-world case study, it shows why maintaining coherent Create and Rollback scripts continues to provide value long after a successful production deployment.

The Service Name

VACATION!

Yeah, I've got the Go-Go's running in my head because I'm going on vacation tomorrow (holiday for you UK types). I've been slogging through a really dense book, War in Human Civilization. Total recommendation. Get it. Read it. However, I'm right near the end and there's been a lot of discussion about the impact of […]

Why SQL Server Database Attach fails and how to repair it

This article covers a few common errors when attaching database files to an instance, with some information on how to resolve the issues.

Big data: what it is, why projects fail, and how to get value from it

Although ‘Big Data’ (and more specifically, the analysis of it) offers several benefits, organizations often fail to derive the correct insights – the data that could help them make better business decisions. So, in this article, I’ll reveal exactly how organizations can take full advantage of these large datasets to make those better business decisions and improve operational effectiveness.