Finding Bad Queries
Recognizing queries that might perform poorly is a skill that will help you, and your AI assistant, produce better code in production.
2026-08-03
26 reads
Editorials
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 […]
2026-08-01
42 reads
Fixing P1 Queries
Steve asks if we should focus on the slowest queries or tackle other issues in our systems. Or if we should even have to make these decisions.
2026-07-31
66 reads
2026-07-29
85 reads
Make It Routine
One of the goals of software is to use the power of the computer to handle repeatable tasks. Steve notes that this can be hard at first, but the goal is that subsequent efforts become routine.
2026-07-27
71 reads
AI Observability Challenges in FinOps as a DBA
I was performing research for requested AI work and noticed that I was viewing the risks from a database perspective. As the saying goes in the tech industry, “Once a DBA always a DBA…” As foreign as some of the views were, much of it feels familiar and I simply begin to look at it […]
2026-07-25
89 reads
Another Model, More Data Loss
More issues with the newest GPT-5.6 model, including data loss incidents.
2026-07-24
109 reads
What is CPU Usage?
Tracking metrics and reporting on them to others can help ensure everyone is aware of how your database servers are functioning. However, Steve notes that we have to agree on what we are measuring.
2026-07-22
142 reads
2026-07-20 (first published: 2019-08-20)
668 reads
The SQL Server 2016 Plan
Steve notes SQL Server 2016 went out of support this past week. What are you plans if you run this version?
2026-07-18
110 reads
Blogs
Programmatic Tool Calling with the Claude SDK
Programmatic Tool Calling with the Claude SDK Every morning somebody on the team runs the...
A New Word: Mauerbauertraurigkeit
By Steve Jones
mauerbauertraurigkeit – n. inexplicable urge to push people away, even close friends whose company...
Methodology for dealing with bad data in production
By Brian Kelley
Pinal Dave wrote up his methodology for what to do when you discover bad...
Forums
Advanced T-SQL: Replacing Slow Cursors with Window Functions
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Finding Bad Queries
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The Service Name
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