Technical Article

Top 10 steps to optimize data access in SQL Server. Part I (Use Indexing)

’ll focus on the issues that you need to follow to make sure that you have done everything that you could do to optimize the data access codes you have written or you are going to write in future. The Database Administrators (DBA) also has great roles to play in optimizing and tuning the database performance. But, optimization scopes that fall into a DBA’s area are out of scope for these articles.

SQLServerCentral Editorial

Holiday Coverage

It seems that IT people often get stuck working on the holidays, whether being on-call or even dealing with maintenance. We need to remember to rotate that coverage fairly since all of us deserve a break. Steve Jones also reminds you to negotiate compensation.

Blogs

Microsoft Fabric OneLake Shortcuts: When to Use Them and When Not To

By

An architecture scenario Imagine separate Sales, Finance, Shared Data, and Executive Analytics workspaces. Sales...

SQL Server Security Hardening Guide Using the DoD STIG Checklist

By

Security on your SQL Server is important. That doesn’t need any explaining. But where...

EightKB 2026: Registration is Open!

By

It’s that time of year again! EightKB is back on August 20th at 13:00...

Read the latest Blogs

Forums

Backing Up a DMK

By Steve Jones - SSC Editor

Comments posted to this topic are about the item Backing Up a DMK

The Quiet Part

By Steve Jones - SSC Editor

Comments posted to this topic are about the item The Quiet Part

BIT_COUNT in SQL Server

By john.martin

Comments posted to this topic are about the item BIT_COUNT in SQL Server

Visit the forum

Question of the Day

Backing Up a DMK

In SQL Server 2025, I have a database with a Database Masker Key (DMK). I want to back up this key and keep a copy offline. When do I have to open this key before running the backup?

See possible answers