Time Off
It's almost summer with Memorial Day coming next week in the US. For this Friday's poll Steve Jones asks about nothing to do with SQL Server, technology, or work.
How to find out how long a SQL Server backup took
Many shops do full backups of their databases as part of a job within SQL Agent, typically as part of a maintenance plan. This job will often times do all database backups in secession. As such, while you may know how long the job takes, you may not know how long any one particular database takes to have a full backup taken.
Overview of the Analysis Services Development and Management Environments
SQL Server 2005 introduces a rich set of tools supporting the development and management of Business Intelligence applications. This includes applications using Analysis Services (OLAP and Data Mining), as well as Reporting Services and Data Transformation Services (DTS).
The Pros and Cons of Stored Procedures
I saw this mentioned on Twitter, and watched it while doing some light editing and scheduling. It’s from TechEd 2009 in LA, and includes a number of MVPs and consultants and even a Microsoft SQL Server program manager. It’s a video, running about 55 minutes...
Do You Have a Problem?
Is it easier to justify expenses fr a developer than an administrator. Steve Jones thinks it is.
Introduction to Bitmasking in SQL Server, Part 2
In part 2 of his series, Lee Everest expands upon bitmasking and integrates this with the SQL CLR.
Mastering SQL Server Profiler - Part 6: Creating Custom Traces
The sixth and last module of the training course "Becoming a Profiler Master", describes how to create custom Profiler traces, tailored to the specific performance problem you wish to investigate.
Attribute Discretization: Using the “Equal Areas” Method
Get hands-on exposure to the use of the "Equal Areas" discretization method in Analysis Services. Join BI Architect Bill Pearson as he continues to explore Attribute Discretization, within his extended examination of the dimensional model lying at the heart of the integrated Microsoft Business Intelligence solution.
Book Review: What Got You Here Won't Get You There
I've been reading What Got You Here Won't Get You There by Marshall Goldsmith over the past couple months, and found it to be a useful book. My one sentence summary is that it teaches without the ability to be introspective and let go of your pride,...
Evolution and Technology: Data Warehouse Infrastructure
A look an evolution of infrastructures from Bill Immon.
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