Stairway to T-SQL DML Level 6: The Basics of Sorting Data Using the ORDER BY Clause
In this Level you will see how to use the ORDER BY clause to return your data in a sorted order.
Changes to SQL Server 2012 Execution Plans
I’ve been working with execution plans quite a lot in SQL Server 2012. There are a number of changes, most of them associated with new or different functionality. I had not noticed anything really fundamental until recently. I’ve become a huge proponent of always checking the properties of the SELECT statement. There’s so much useful information in there about what’s happened with the plan generation in the optimizer (not low level stuff, but the big picture items) that you should always be checking it first as a fundamental part of your plan examinations.
Faster Restores: Best Practices to Increase Speed
Backups are an everyday part of DBA life, whereas restores tend to happen on call at 3 a.m. In this article, Grant Fritchey looks at what you should be doing to make your restores as quick and seamless as possible.
SQL Server Column Level Encryption Example using Symmetric Keys
With data stored in tables, you have a few options to protect data. Check out this tip to learn more about column level encryption.
Jacks of all trades
Instagram has a complex architecture for it's technology infrastructure. The people that work there have to be jacks of all trades. Is that the type of environment you'd like to work in?
Using Recursion and Date Tables to Simplify Date Logic
Learn to simplify date logic using date tables and recursion in T-SQL with this article from David Beardsley.
Reduce heap table fragmentation
A table that does not have a clustered index is referred to as a Heap. While a lot has been written about index fragmentation and how to defrag indexes, there is not much that talks about how to defrag a heap table.
SQL Server Database Growth and Autogrowth Settings
It's easy to create a database nowadays with point-'n-click, but if you've left your database's autogrowth settings at their default, you may hit problems in the future. Why? What do I do about it? Read on!
Vote for SQL Bits 10
Voting is now open to choose the sessions you would like to see at the SQLBits Community Day on 31st March, 2012.
Blogs
Databases and AI Agents
By Arun Sirpal
As part of my wider work exploring Claude Code and AI-assisted database engineering, I...
Creating a Pulsing Conducting Baton - Part 1
By Bert Wagner
Train Wreck The last time I watched a high school band nearly fall apart mid-performance...
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...
Forums
Why Your Index Isn't Being Used? - Reading Execution Plans to Find the Real Culprit
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Why Your Index Isn't Being...
Distance Metric Algorithms
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Distance Metric Algorithms
What Can AI Really Do?
Comments posted to this topic are about the item What Can AI Really Do?
Question of the Day
Distance Metric Algorithms
What are the distance metric algorithms that can be used in VECTOR_DISTANCE()?
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