Building Better Software
Why is it so hard to build better software? Steve Jones looks at recent problem in iOS that seems silly.
Capturing Baselines on SQL Server: Where's My Space?
In this article, we'll tackle the topic of monitoring disk space usage. By tracking how much is in use and how much is still available, over time we'll have the data we need for better capacity planning, and can ensure that a database won't ever run out of disk space.
Troubleshooting SQL Server RESOURCE_SEMAPHORE Waittype Memory Issues
This tip describes memory pressure issues that can arise from the RESOURCE_SEMAPHORE Waittype and how to find which query or transaction is causing the memory pressure.
Encryption Not Restriction
Encryption keys for services in the cloud should be maintained by the customer, according to Steve Jones. It's actually a good idea for all of your data.
Free Webinar: Statistics in Oracle and SQL Server
In their third live 'Oracle vs. SQL Server' discussion, Jonathan Lewis (Oracle Ace Director, OakTable Network) and Grant Fritchey (Microsoft SQL Server MVP) will look at statistics in Oracle and SQL Server. Expect a lively debate on Oracle vs. SQL Server from two leading RDBMS experts on Jan 23, 2013.
SQLServerCentral Runs sp_Blitz - Performance Part 1
The third article that examines the output of the sp_Blitz script™ run against SQLServerCentral's database servers.
Hypothetical Indexes on SQL Server
Sometimes, you have to test out alternative indexing strategies, but the task of creating the candidate indexes would just take too long. Is there another way? Well, yes, why not use the same method the DTA (Database Tuning Advisor) uses, and take the tedium out of the job.
Antipathy for Entity Attribute Value data models
EAV models have their uses but the costs are often hidden and if not hidden, more than anticipated.
The Data Scientist
Phil Factor on why Data Science is about much more than just clever visualizations and big data.
The Optimists
A develop should be a glass-half-full kind of guy, at least according to Steve Jones. This editorial was originally published on April 15, 2008. It is being re-run as Steve is on holiday.
Blogs
Learn about Modern Microsoft Apps in San Diego
By Steve Jones
I wrote about learning today for the editorial: I Can’t Make You Learn. I...
How To Deploy Fabric SQL and Azure SQL Databases with Azure DevOps
By ReviewMyDB
Fabric has CI/CD built in, but if you've tried to use it for database...
A New Word: Attriage
By Steve Jones
attriage – n. the state of having lost all control over how you feel...
Forums
SSRS Reminded Me of the Time Microsoft Retired TMG
Comments posted to this topic are about the item SSRS Reminded Me of the...
Getting results from a Procedure to join to a query
I have a need to execute a stored procedure and return the results to...
Upgrade 2016 Standard to 2022 Express
Title pretty much says it all - can this be done? I've tried several...
Question of the Day
BIT_COUNT II
In SQL Server 2025, I have a table (dbo.UserPermission) that contains this data:
UserID UserPermissions 15 23 37 4 NULLWhat is returned when I run this code:
select bit_count(UserPermissions) as PermissionCount from dbo.UserPermission where UserID = 4;See possible answers