Serious Security
The password issue has Steve Jones concerned. So many of us that use computing devices don't do a good job of securing our information.
Free eBook: SQL Server Execution Plans
Every Database Administrator, developer, report writer, and anyone else who writes T-SQL to access SQL Server data, must understand how to read and interpret execution plans. This book leads you right from the basics of capturing plans, through how to interrupt them in their various forms, graphical or XML, and then how to use the information you find there to diagnose the most common causes of poor query performance, and so optimize your SQL queries, and improve your indexing strategy.
Handling Errors in SQL Server 2012
The error handling of SQL Server has always been somewhat mysterious. Now at last, the THROW statement has been included in SQL Server 2012 that, when combined with the TRY...CATCH block, makes error handling far easier. Robert Sheldon explains all.
Message Queues in Software
Steve Jones talks about Service Broker and messaging and how these techniques can help you build a more robust application.
SQL Server T-SQL Tuning – NOT IN and NOT Exists
Following on from the previous TSQL performance tuning article in this series, we now focus on the important topic of T-SQL “Not IN” And “Not Exists “
Cramming for Interviews
Today Steve Jones talks about the questions people ask on the Internet about interviews. Are they ok? Should you cram for an interview this way?
SQLServerCentral Runs sp_Blitz - Reliability
The second article that examines the output of the sp_Blitz script™ run against SQLServerCentral's database servers.
Creating SSIS Package Templates for Reusability
We often need to create similar SSIS packages which contain some common components such as connection managers, data flow components, log providers, event handlers, etc... So do we really need to create a package from scratch each time and add all these commonly used components in each package again and again. Is it possible to create a SSIS package with a basic structure/workflow and common components which can be used as template to create subsequent packages?
How to write a custom metric
You can extend SQL Monitor to track whatever you need to watch on your own system with custom metrics. Grant Fritchey shows us how.
Global Insecurities
The various security scans of 2012 reported lots of potential problems in companies. Why don't vendors make it easier for us to install and configure their software securely?
Blogs
ISACA AI Material/Exam Prep Discount (May 18 – June 30, 2026)
By Brian Kelley
If you are considering any of the ISACA AI certs like the Advanced Artificial...
A Fabric solution can be very cost effective
By ChrisJenkins
Are you currently using Microsoft Fabric or considering migrating to it? If so, there...
Track SQL Server Configuration Changes Using the Error Log
By SQLPals
Track SQL Server Configuration Changes Using the Error Log If you...
Forums
We Are Eating Our Own Seed Corn
Comments posted to this topic are about the item We Are Eating Our Own...
Before Using AI with Business Data, Read This
Artificial intelligence tools are quickly becoming part of daily business operations, from document analysis...
Designing SQL Server ETL Pipelines That Don't Break at Scale
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Designing SQL Server ETL Pipelines...
Question of the Day
Detecting Deadlocks Quickly
In the Database Engine, when a deadlock is detected, what does the detection interval shrink to (in time)?
See possible answers