Generating charts in SQL Server Reporting Services
This article displays how we can place charts in reports created using SSRS.
Get In a Line
Steve Jones talks a little about disk alignment for your SQL Server instances. This is something that you might to check on your systems and see if you can improve performance.
Keeping It All In Memory
With the release of an in-memory database from Sybase, is it time for SQL Server to join the fray?
Concatenating Strings to NULL values
We recently ran into this situation of reports containing nothing but blank spaces. When investigated the reason was that the String...
Learn about SQL Server without leaving your desk
SQL Server Central, with Pragmatic Works, is offering a new option in learning: high-quality training at a fraction of the usual cost with work absence slashed to zero. Our classes are done online with the same type of quality instructor you would receive from our private classes but done at your own desk. Even though you're doing the class online, the instructor can still hear you while you ask questions and optionally see your screen. Because the class is done in half-day increments, you also still have time to do your job.
Managing Data Growth in SQL Server
'Help, my database ate my disk drives!'. Many DBAs spend most of their time dealing with variations of the problem of database processes consuming too much disk space. This happens because of errors such as incorrect configurations for recovery models, data growth for large objects and queries that overtax TempDB resources. Rodney describes, with some feeling, the errors that can lead to this sort of crisis for the working DBA, and their solution.
Rotating Keys
This Friday's poll deals with security. Steve Jones asks how often you might rotate those encryption keys to ensure that your systems are secure.
ROW_NUMBER(): An Efficient Alternative to Subqueries
The ROW_NUMBER function has drastically changed the way we can write a number of queries in T-SQL. New author Francis Rodrigues brings us a few places where this function can improve the efficiency of your code.
Brad's Sure DBA Checklist
Sometimes, all a DBA needs, to help with day-to-day work, is a checklist of best-practices and dos and don’ts. It provides a handy reminder. Brad has come up with a new update to his famous checklist...
Microsoft SQL Server vs. MySQL
Is Microsoft SQL Server superior to MySQL or not? What are the pros and cons of using SQL Server over MySQL? Is MySQL mature enough to compete with a big player like Microsoft and Oracle? Can we fairly compare both products?
Blogs
A New Word: los vidados
By Steve Jones
los vidados – n. the half-remembered acquaintances you knew years ago, who you might...
In-Person CISA Training – April 13-16, 2026
By Brian Kelley
I will be leading an in-person Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) exam prep class...
EightKB 2026
EightKB is back again for 2026! The biggest online SQL Server internals conference is...
Forums
Vectors in SQL Server 2025
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Vectors in SQL Server 2025
Odd Sequences
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Odd Sequences
Everything is the right question away
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Everything is the right question...
Question of the Day
Odd Sequences
What values are returned from this code?
CREATE SEQUENCE NumericSequence
AS NUMERIC(5,1)
START WITH 1.0
INCREMENT BY 0.1;
GO
SELECT NEXT VALUE FOR NumericSequence
GO
SELECT NEXT VALUE FOR NumericSequence
GO See possible answers