A Data Hub
The idea of a data hub in your company is interesting to Steve Jones. He talks about this concept, and how it might help you increase data quality, and perhaps get closed to a single view of the truth.
SQL Server 2012’s Information on Parallel Thread Usage
In the SQL Server 2012 execution plan we can see better the true thread reservations for a query and not just information on the maximum degree of parallelism and row distribution across parallel threads; thanks to the new parallel thread usage information.
Removing the SQL Server Management Data Warehouse
SQL Server 2008 introduced a new feature, Management Data Warehouse (MDW), which allows users to collect metrics on their servers over time to aid in performance troubleshooting. A lot of people try this feature out, because it is easy to set up, and then find that it is not so easy to remove. In fact, removing MDW is not supported; in SQL Server 2012, though, a new system stored procedure was added to make this process easier. The problem is that this stored procedure (as well as several of the workarounds I've seen published) can leave several objects behind.
Wiggle Room
Consultants sometimes don't live up to their hype. To what extent should we expect them to know exactly what they're doing? This editorial was originally published on Nov 9, 2007. It is being republished as Steve is on vacation.
SQL Saturday #164 - Cleveland
A free day of training in Cleveland, OH. Come see MVPs Allen White and others talking about all aspects of SQL Server. For free.
Working with SSIS Data Types
In order to be able to take data from a variety of sources, manipulate it, and then export it to one of several destinations, SSIS has to use its own data types. If you hit problems, then you may need to intervene to ensure an appropriate conversion.
Display data by fiscal year instead of calendar year
This article provides a simple solution to display any data by fiscal year instead of calendar year.
Stupid Interviewer Tricks
Today's editorial was originally published on Feb 7, 2008. It is being re-published as Steve is on vacation.
What do you do when the interviewer is obviously wrong? Steve Jones offers a perspective.
Optimizing tempdb configuration with SQL Server 2012 Extended Events
One of the most obvious bottlenecks in the performance of tempdb is caused by PAGELATCH, in-memory latch contention on the allocation bitmap of each data file used. We can use one of the rules-of-thumb to choose what should be roughly the best number of files, but how then do you check to see whether you've got it right for your data and workload?
Code Reviews Must Be Brutally Honest
Today we have a guest editorial from Hakim Ali. Today Akim talks about why holding back out of politeness in code reviews may be a self-defeating practice.
Blogs
Claude AI Convinced Me Not to Build an iPad App
By Steve Jones
I coach volleyball and I do a lot of stat stuff on paper. I...
A New Word: Dolorblindness
By Steve Jones
dolorblindness – n. the frustration that you’ll never be able to understand another person’s...
Claude Code Helps Analyze Test Data Manager Log Files
By Steve Jones
I had a customer ask about analyzing their Test Data Manager (TDM) usage to...
Forums
Data Warehouse Toolkit meets Star Schema: The Complete Reference
Is there a good syllabus for reading these two together? (Yes, it's called the...
GPX distance and time analysis in SQL Server
Comments posted to this topic are about the item GPX distance and time analysis...
The DBA is Dead; Long Live the DBA
Comments posted to this topic are about the item The DBA is Dead; Long...
Question of the Day
Changing the AG Listener
In SQL Server 2025, if I want to remove an IP from a listener, what do I do?
See possible answers