The Next Generation
There's no shortage of technology workers, especially good ones. Today Steve Jones reminds us that we might wish to encourage others to try technology and then help prepare them for a career in this field if they enjoy it.
The Perils of Running Database Repair
In a perfect world everyone has the right backups to be able to recover within the downtime and data-loss service level agreements when accidental data loss or corruption occurs. Unfortunately we don’t live in a perfect world and so many people find that they don’t have the backups they need to recover when faced with corruption.
The Road to Professional Database Development: Database Normalization
Not only is the process of normalization valuable for increasing data quality and simplifying the process of modifying data, but it actually makes the database perform much faster. To prove the point, Peter Larsson takes a large unnormalised database and subjects it to successive stages of normalisation.
Get Performance Tips Directly From SQL Server
This article describes a utility that allows you to inspect cached plans and extract information that can be useful in improving the performance of your SQL.
Stump the Wizard
Today we have an editorial from Aug 3, 2007. It is being republished as Steve is on vacation. Today Steve asks the question about which fun games you might like outside of work.
Steps to Apply a Service Pack or Patch to Mirrored SQL Server Databases
Planning on patching my SQL Servers to the latest service pack, but not sure how to complete this for a environment that is using database mirroring? In this tip, will outline the environment and then walk through the process of patching mirrored servers.
Adding Map Callout Boxes in Reporting Services
A callout text box outside the map area would help to enhance the visual effect of presenting data in reporting services.
The Cloud
This editorial was originally published on Sept 11, 2007. It is being re-run as Steve is on holiday. This is an interesting look at the cloud from 2007.
SQL View: Beyond the Basics
Joe Celko delves into the main uses of views, explains how the WITH CHECK OPTION works, and demonstrates how the INSTEAD OF trigger can be used in those cases where views cannot be updatable.
Canceling Customers
Today's editorial was originally published on Sept 4, 2007. It is being re-run as Steve is on holiday. Today Steve talks about the problems with customer service, and how some companies respond.
Blogs
A New Word: los vidados
By Steve Jones
los vidados – n. the half-remembered acquaintances you knew years ago, who you might...
In-Person CISA Training – April 13-16, 2026
By Brian Kelley
I will be leading an in-person Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) exam prep class...
EightKB 2026
EightKB is back again for 2026! The biggest online SQL Server internals conference is...
Forums
query to track time spent on individual tasks in SSIS
Hi everyone I am looking at building a query to determine how much time...
SQL Server Transactional Replication from Always On Availability Groups to Azure SQL Database
Comments posted to this topic are about the item SQL Server Transactional Replication from...
Hidden Heroes
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Hidden Heroes
Question of the Day
Identities and Sequences I
When thinking of the Identity property for auto incrementing columns and sequences for the same action, which are explicitly linked to increment a number in a table when a new row is added?
See possible answers