The Apprentice
This Friday Steve Jones asks if we should reconsider the way we train developers and other computer professionals. Give us your opinion this week.
The SQL Server Query Optimizer
To understand how to write SQL code for SQL Server that performs well, it is important to appreciate how the query optimizer works. Ben Nevarez explains the essentials, in a broad sweep through a complex subject, in an article taken from his new book 'Inside the SQL Server Query Optimizer'.
Find which port SQL Server is using to establish connections
This article will show you how to determine which network port that SQL Server is listening on for connections
Learning for Profit
Today Steve Jones talks about a way to improve your skills, make yourself more marketable for that next job, and perhaps earn some money.
Initialize SQL Server replication using a database backup
You need to configure transactional replication for a very large SQL Server database. Instead of running the snapshot agent to initialize the subscriber, in this tip we look at how you can initialize the subscriber from a SQL Server backup.
The Robot DBA
Steve Jones talks about the idea of an automated DBA and disputes the notion that it will come to pass anytime soon.
SQL Server 2008 and 2008 R2 Integration Services - Analysis Services Execute DDL Task
The term DDL designates Data Definition Language, which implies an action involving creating data structures. In the context of Analysis Services Execute DDL Task, this is a bit of a misnomer because its capabilities are much more diverse, extending to such areas as backups, restores, deletions, modifications, or processing. This is accomplished by employing Analysis Services Scripting Language (ASSL).
10 Bad Things About Reporting Services 2008 R2
SSRS 2008 R2 introduced lots of exciting new features, reviewed in a sister article to this one. Here we consider what Microsoft didn't do well in this version of Reporting Services.
From Vandalism to Serious Crime
It seems that there are new types of hacker attacks, not looking to steal information for profit, but for disclosure as an embarrassment. Steve Jones talks about the potential downsides for DBAs.
Blogs
Questions and Answers from Running a Local LLM
By Steve Jones
I had a few random questions from my Running a Local LLM on Your...
Overview of Claude AI Models: Which One to Choose?
By Arun Sirpal
For those entering the AI space whether professionally or personally I wanted to give...
Houston AI-Lytics 2026–Powerpoint Slides
By Steve Jones
Thanks to everyone for attending my session on running a Local LLM. If you...
Forums
A question about how to store the address in the database
I have an app that has an address field on the customer and the...
SSIS package failing intermittently on last Excel Component
Good Afternoon, I have a Job which "fires" off an SSIS package (that is...
T-SQL in SQL Server 2025: JSON_ARRAYAGG
Comments posted to this topic are about the item T-SQL in SQL Server 2025:...
Question of the Day
Multiple Sequence Values
How do I easily get the next 12 sequence values from a sequence object?
See possible answers