High End or Low End
Steve Jones talks about the need to perhaps get more depth and breadth to the information that we present at events like SQL Saturday to help people learn at all levels.
Using Ranking Functions to Deduplicate Data
This article from Andrew Riley will show you how you can use the RANK and ROW_NUMBER Ranking Functions to deduplicate data in SQL Server 2005
Dynamic Data Driven Variable Hierarchical Structures in SQL
This article describes data driven variable structure generation in SQL. The controlling data can be located higher up on the hierarchical pathway or can be located further down on the pathway producing a look-ahead operation. Multiple pathways can independently produce dynamic data driven structures and these dynamic structures can be nested allowing a very flexible and powerful dynamic automatic data structure generation capability. These different controls of structure generation can be combined.
Instant File Initialization Speeds SQL Server
Sometimes, its just the smallest of details that can make all the difference. For example, on my test system (see...
Issues with running DBCC SHRINKFILE on your data files
Why would database performance remain low and fragmentation high event though the entire database has been defragmented every night? In this tip we cover how SHRINKFILE works and some of the issues it might create.
Data Distribution - Part 1
The start of a new series from Leo Peysakhovich that looks at some of the issues with moving data around between systems and ensuring that it is in sync between them.
Software Vendor Security
This week Steve Jones finds some issues with the security of third party vendor software.
Thinking Time
It's important to have time to think, but quite often we don't find the time. Steve Jones comments on how he's learned just how valuable this can be.
Top Ten Reasons to Attend the 2010 PASS Community Summit
There are some good reasons to think about attending the 2010 PASS Community Summit.
TSQL Challenge 35 - Find the total number of 'Full Attendees' in 24HOP
This challenge has a (fake) reference to the 24 Hours of PASS event and your task is to count the number of attendees who watched the complete presentation of each speaker.
Blogs
T-SQL Tuesday #198–Change Detection
By Steve Jones
This month we have a new host, Meagan Longoria, who graciously agreed to help...
Redgate and Rome
By Steve Jones
I’m at the UK Redgate office today, meeting with senior leaders in all areas...
Quick Tip: Check Most DTU Expensive Queries in Azure SQL Database
Optimizing Azure SQL Database performance often begins with identifying the most resource-intensive queries. Understanding...
Forums
SSRS Is Dead. Here Are Your Real Options
Comments posted to this topic are about the item SSRS Is Dead. Here Are...
The Distance Metric
Comments posted to this topic are about the item The Distance Metric
The New Wave of Security Threats
Comments posted to this topic are about the item The New Wave of Security...
Question of the Day
The Distance Metric
In the new VECTOR_DISTANCE() function in SQL Server 2025, the first parameter is the distance_metric. What is this?
See possible answers