Second Normal Form
In this article Tom Thomson takes a look at what second normal form means, how it is violated, and how you can fix it. This is part of our normalization series.
Identifying PII Data to Lock Down in SQL Server - Part 1
We're pretty confident that we have locked down and encrypted our financial data, but a lot of our customer's PII (Personally Identifiable Information) data is still held in unencrypted form. This data is able to be selected directly by read only business users on many of our downstream reporting, datawarehouse and standby servers. The rise of identity theft makes protecting this data imperative. DBAs are the custodians of this information and must protect it like we protect our own personal information. Recent publicity over the theft of Sony PSN data underscores both the economic and ethical importance of protecting personal data.
Here's a Reason to Document
This editorial was originally published on Feb 17, 2006. Steve is traveling in the UK this week and we are re-printing some old pieces. This one talks about a search engine for code.
Questions About SQL Server Distribution Statistics
Fabiano Amorim was asked a couple of questions about SQL Server Distribution Statistics. Having given an answer based on his current knowledge, he then decided to find out for himself whether what he'd said was right, and started an epic journey of exploration into Distribution Statistics and the way that the Query Optimiser uses them.
Bad Eyes
This editorial was originally published on Jan 9, 2006. Steve is traveling to the UK this week and we are reprinting a few older editorials. This editorial talks about the health of your eyes, a topic of concern for those of us that work with computers regularly.
Questions About SQL Server Distribution Statistics
Fabiano Amorim was asked a couple of questions about SQL Server Distribution Statistics. Having given an answer based on his current knowledge, he then decided to find out for himself whether what he'd said was right, and started an epic journey of exploration into Distribution Statistics and the way that the Query Optimiser uses them.
Creating a 2 Node SQL Server 2008 Virtual Cluster Part 1
Learn how to create a Windows 2008\SQL Server 2008 virtual cluster in this three part series.
Halfway Through 2011
Steve Jones stops halfway through the year to look over the things that he ought to be doing to better manage systems as a DBA and reminds you to do the same.
Lesson #6: What CIOs really care about
This editorial was originally published on Dec 30, 2005. Steve is traveling to the UK this week and we are reprinting editorials.
Blogs
From Planning to Practice: Setting Up Your FinOps Framework
By HeyMo0sh
As someone who works in DevOps, I’m always focused on creating systems that are...
“We love to debate minutiae”
By Brian Kelley
I am guilty as charged. The quote was in reference to how people argue...
Advice I Like: Knots
By Steve Jones
Learn how to tie a bowline knot. Practice in the dark. With one hand....
Forums
how to write this query?
Hi everyone I asked this earlier but the desired outcome is a bit different...
Windows logins for users migrated from DomainA to DomainB
Hi, I have a SQL Server instance where users connect to via Windows Authentication,...
Multiple Deployment Processes
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Multiple Deployment Processes
Question of the Day
Upgrading Admin Queries
I have a query from a former DBA that we run on SQL Server 2025 to check on database metadata. This query references sys.sysaltfiles. I want to refactor this code to be more modern. Which DMV should I reference instead?
See possible answers