The IT Explosion
So many people are joining the IT industry all the time and Steve Jones talks about the attitudes that they bring with them.
Using "Multiple Assignment Variables" for a Generic Compare Data Script
Comparing data between tables seems like a simple thing to do, but it can eat up a lot of a SQL Server professional's time. Stephen Tirone shows how multiple assignment variables can be used to make this task a little easier.
Best Practices for Exception Handling and Defensive Programming in Microsoft SQL Server
This is a deep dive developer session that explores error handling in SQL Server. The session focuses on core error handling areas such as understandign the anatomy of errors, detecting errors in TSQL and best practices for error handling and defensive programming in Microsoft SQL Server. tuesday, 1/26, 8:00am EST
Indexes Out the Window
I ran into a peculiarly puzzling situation with a query I have been tuning of late. The query runs some...
Performance Analysis Using SQL Server 2008 Activity Monitor Tool
While looking through the new features and improvements in SQL Server 2008 Management Studio (SSMS) we found a potentially interesting one called Activity Monitor. Database developers and Database Administrators can use Activity Monitor to get a quick overview of an SQL Server 2008 system performance. Can you give us a detailed explanation of how we go about using Activity Monitor?
Celko's SQL Stumper: The Class Scheduling Problem
What can we use in SQL instead of E. F. Codd's T theta operators for best-fit? Joe Celko returns with another puzzle that isn't new, in fact it already features “Swedish”, “Croatian” and “Colombian” solutions in chapter 17 of Joe's 'SQL for Smarties' book. These were all written before CTEs or the new WINDOW functions. Is there now a better solution? Was there one even then? We leave it to the readers to provide the answer!
Fast normalization of a denormalized data source, using surrogate IDs
A cursor-free way of normalizing data from a denormalized data source into a database which uses "surrogate" IDs.
Keeping up with Technology
Phil Factor believes that we have become so immersed in the idea that administrators or accountants can run technical enterprises, unaided, that we are in danger of forgetting the vital creative contribution of the technologist.
We'll go no more a' tibbling
Phil Factor points out the limitations and irritations of Hungarian Notation.
Blogs
Claude AI Convinced Me Not to Build an iPad App
By Steve Jones
I coach volleyball and I do a lot of stat stuff on paper. I...
A New Word: Dolorblindness
By Steve Jones
dolorblindness – n. the frustration that you’ll never be able to understand another person’s...
Claude Code Helps Analyze Test Data Manager Log Files
By Steve Jones
I had a customer ask about analyzing their Test Data Manager (TDM) usage to...
Forums
Data Warehouse Toolkit meets Star Schema: The Complete Reference
Is there a good syllabus for reading these two together? (Yes, it's called the...
GPX distance and time analysis in SQL Server
Comments posted to this topic are about the item GPX distance and time analysis...
The DBA is Dead; Long Live the DBA
Comments posted to this topic are about the item The DBA is Dead; Long...
Question of the Day
Changing the AG Listener
In SQL Server 2025, if I want to remove an IP from a listener, what do I do?
See possible answers