Free eBook: SQL Server Backup and Restore
You can download a free eBook from SQLServerCentral and Red Gate software on the most important task a SQL Server DBA or developer needs to understand.
We Loaded 1TB in 30 Minutes with SSIS, and So Can You
In February 2008, Microsoft announced a record-breaking data load using Microsoft® SQL Server® Integration Services (SSIS): 1 TB of data in less than 30 minutes. That data load, using SQL Server Integration Services, was 30% faster than the previous best time using a commercial ETL tool. This paper outlines what it took: the software, hardware, and configuration used. We will describe what we did to achieve that result, and offer suggestions for how to relate these techniques to typical scenarios. Even for customers who don't have needs quite like this benchmark, such efforts can teach a lot about getting optimal performance.
Serverless Software
Today Steve Jones talks about the future of software development and how it might not require developers to know anything about servers.
T-SQL Restore Script Generator
A procedure that generates point in time restore database & log commands for your databases.
Securing SQL Server 2012 Integration Services Packages using Digital Certificates
There are several different ways of restricting access to SSIS packages and confidential information they contain. However, preventing unauthorized users from running or viewing the content of your code is not the only security measure that you should take into consideration.
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.
Blogs
Automated SQL Server Benchmarking with HammerDB and Docker: A Complete Testing Framework
I’m excited to announce the release of a new open-source project that fully automates...
T-SQL Snapshot Backups on Availability Group Secondary Replicas
One of my favourite features of SQL Server 2022 was the T-SQL Snapshot Backups....
The Book of Redgate: Hours
By Steve Jones
I have said and written this many times: Redgate Software is the type of...
Forums
Optional Parameter Plan Optimization in SQL Server 2025: Fixing the Kitchen-Sink Search Procedure
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Optional Parameter Plan Optimization in...
AI Experience Gap that we keep talking about
Comments posted to this topic are about the item AI Experience Gap that we...
Question of the Day
ORDER BY alias
There is a table tmp_tab:
CREATE TABLE tmp_tab ( id int, val int );
INSERT INTO tmp_tab VALUES (1, 1), (2, NULL), (3, 3), (4, 4), (5, 5);You want to order the rows ids by the following expression:
ISNULL(val, id) + 1Which of the following queries produces the expected ordering and why? (Select all correct) See possible answers