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.
Big Data and SQL
Today Steve Jones talks about how some companies find efficiencies by training employees to use SQL. Perhaps that's a good idea for all developers.
Blogs
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...
A Fabric solution can be very cost effective
By ChrisJenkins
Are you currently using Microsoft Fabric or considering migrating to it? If so, there...
Track SQL Server Configuration Changes Using the Error Log
By SQLPals
Track SQL Server Configuration Changes Using the Error Log If you...
Forums
We Are Eating Our Own Seed Corn
Comments posted to this topic are about the item We Are Eating Our Own...
Before Using AI with Business Data, Read This
Artificial intelligence tools are quickly becoming part of daily business operations, from document analysis...
Designing SQL Server ETL Pipelines That Don't Break at Scale
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Designing SQL Server ETL Pipelines...
Question of the Day
Detecting Deadlocks Quickly
In the Database Engine, when a deadlock is detected, what does the detection interval shrink to (in time)?
See possible answers