The Dark Side
Steve Jones talks a little about Oracle after speaking at an event devoted to that technology.
Backing Up SQL Server Databases Participating In Availability Groups
So I am using this new technology called Availability Groups that was introduced in SQL Server 2012. I have heard I can offload my backups to a secondary replica, but I am not sure how that works or how to configure those backups. Are there any limitations? Check out this tip to learn more.
Early Software
This week Steve Jones reminisces about the first software he used. He asks you what inspired you to start working with computers.
PowerShell Basics
Powershell. I have seen the word but what is it? This article gives you a basic introduction to what PowerShell is and how you might use it.
NoSQL for the MSSQL Soul
The buzz around NoSQL solutions has reached stratospheric heights. This buzz has led many Microsoft SQL Server development shops to start looking at how and where a NoSQL solution can fit into their business.
Filtered Indexes - Simple Partitioning without Enterprise Edition?
This article discusses using Filtered Indexes as a simple partitioning strategy in SQL Server Standard Edition
Fix the Little Things
There are any number of small, annoying or tedious things in SQL Server and Steve Jones makes a case for getting them fixed. Today's editorial was originally published on Nov 11, 2008. It is being re-run as Steve is out of town.
Resource Governor in SQL Server 2012
SQL Server 2012 delivers enhancements to the Resource Governor that reflect a growing need for centrally managed database services to provide multitenancy to customers who require isolated workloads. This document describes the enhancements and why they were added. It includes a self-contained walk through that you can try in order to gain familiarity with the new features.
Life is Like a Manure Spreader
Things on the ranch inspire Steve Jones in the rest of his life. He's one you might not have thought about. Today's editorial was originally published on Nov 3, 2008. It is being re-run as Steve is out of town.
SQL Server Analysis Services-Lead, Lag, OpeningPeriod, ClosingPeriod Time Related Functions
Working with SSAS time related accounting functions can be tricky. SQL Server 2012 now offers Lag and Lead functions. Are these functions available in SSAS? What other related functions are available?
Blogs
Automatic Index Compaction
By ReviewMyDB
Index maintenance has always meant nightly jobs and a window you have to defend....
The Goldilocks problem – Materialized Views
I’m sure you’ve all heard the tale of Goldilocks and the Three Bears, but...
Monday Monitor Tips: Virtual Machine Usage and Cost
By Steve Jones
One of the things I’ve been requesting for a number of years is cost...
Forums
SQL Art, Part 4: Happy 4th of July — A British DBA's Guide to Celebrating a War We Don't Talk About
Comments posted to this topic are about the item SQL Art, Part 4: Happy...
How We Handled a Vendor Retry That Loaded Twice in Snowflake
Comments posted to this topic are about the item How We Handled a Vendor...
Cognitive Coverage
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Cognitive Coverage
Question of the Day
Getting the Average
I have this data in the dbo.Commission table in a SQL Server 2022 database.
salesperson commission Brian 12 Brian 16 Andy 7 Andy 14 Andy 21 Steve 20 Steve NULLAll the data is a varchar, and I decide to run this query to get the totals for each salesperson.
SELECT SalesPerson
, AVG(TRY_PARSE(Commission AS int)) AS TotalCommission
FROM commission
GROUP BY SalesPerson
GO
What average commission is calculated for Steve? See possible answers