Community Direction
Steve Jones wishes that Microsoft had a way for the community to give better feedback about what we see as a priority in the next version of SQL Server.
Fun with business days, calendar tables, and test-driven development
We shall discuss how to
build a calendar table, and use it in calculations involving business days
Configuring Proactive Caching in SQL Server
Proactive caching helps DBAs to better control the cube data automatic refresh frequency, offering near real-time data for reports. This article covers the settings for HOLAP and ROLAP, and configuring proactive caching.
What Do We Need in SQL Server?
Steve Jones asks us today about what we might like to see in the next few versions of SQL Server.
Renaming SQL Server Policy-Based Management Policies
I have created several policies using Policy-Based Management and need to rename some of them. I don’t see an option in the GUI to rename a Policy. Is there any way I can rename them without dropping and recreating them?
Five Things I Learned at the PASS Summit
Steve Jones has attended the PASS Summit almost every year, and in that time he's learned a few things. He shares a few today that might convince you or your boss that it's worth funding the trip this year.
fn_fixeddrives() : an alternative for xp_fixeddrives
The idea is to create a SQLCLR table valued function that returns all information on drives in a UNIX df-like style.
Late September Free Training from PASS VCs
The DBA and Virtualization Virtual Chapters hope that last weeks 24 Hours of PASS got you in the mood for more free training. Here's what they have on tap for you this week:
NoSQL Is Not Everywhere
NoSQL has been getting a lot of press in the last year, but it's not necessarily the best platform or solution for you. Steve Jones comments on NoSQL and alternative platforms.
SQL Profiler Through StreamInsight Sample Solution
In this postI show how you can use StreamInsight to take events coming from SQL Server Profiler in real-time and do some analytics whilst the data is in flight. Here is the solution for that post. The download contains Project that reads events from a previously recorded trace file Project that starts a trace and captures events in real-time from a custom trace definition file (Included) It is a very simple solution and could be extended.
Blogs
Finding Balance: Things Will Come Up
By Steve Jones
I have a presentation on finding balance in your career that got quite a...
Who Are You Doing It For?
By Brian Kelley
But as I've matured over the years, I came to realize that I needed...
Presenting Twice in May 2026
By alevyinroc
I will be presenting my latest session, Documenting Your Work for Worry-Free Vacations, in-person...
Forums
The day-to-day pressures of a DBA team, and how we can work smarter with automation and AI
Comments posted to this topic are about the item The day-to-day pressures of a...
Migrate SSRS Reports to PowerBI Report Server in SQL Server 2025
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Migrate SSRS Reports to PowerBI...
Identities and Sequences III
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Identities and Sequences III
Question of the Day
Identities and Sequences III
When thinking of the Identity property for auto incrementing columns and sequences for the same action, which can be used with the BIGINT data type?
See possible answers