Building Better Software for Everyone

Building better software might be a bit more work when we consider ensuring everyone can use our work.

How to Move System Databases to a New Physical Directory

What is the easiest way to move SQL Server system databases. Let me walk you through it!

Learning New Skills

It’s a great time to learn a new skill or improve your existing skills if you have the extra bandwidth while staying at home.

New release: SQL Clone 4.4 supports your Database DevOps process

How SQL Clone 4.4 enables fast onboarding for Database DevOps

The latest version of SQL Clone showcases new integrations with our DevOps tooling. Join Microsoft MVP, Kendra Little, to learn more about how cloning technology can enhance your Database DevOps process.

The Build Book of News

Every year Microsoft has held the Build conference for developers. I've been lucky enough to go a few times, and I was hoping to get the chance to attend again. With the pandemic, the entire event went virtual, and was held across 48 continuous hours. I was slightly disappointed as a few sessions I wanted […]

Azure DWH part 18: Working with SQL Server Analysis Services

In this new article, we will learn how to create a cube extracting data from ADWH.

The Life List

Today Steve notes that having a list of things to do before you die can be a driving force for you.

[Video] Free DBA Training Month: Configuring TempDB, Lock Pages in Memory, and the DAC

While you’re stuck inside wondering if you’ll ever be able to attend a user group meeting again, I’m giving you free access to training materials that your boss probably wouldn’t have been nice enough to buy you anyway. So far this week, we’ve covered DBCC CHECKDB, how to set up Ola Hallengren’s maintenance scripts, and restoring for oops deletes. Today, let’s talk about two common configuration issues. Don’t dilly-dally on these though: these blog posts will be online during May only, and they’ll disappear on June 1.

Azure Database Migration Guide

Step-by-step guidance for modernizing your data assets

The IDENTITY Column Property

There are a number of ways to generate key values in SQL Server tables including the IDENTITY column property, the NEWID() function and more recently, SEQUENCES. The IDENTITY column property is the earliest of these methods. It was introduced very early in the history of SQL Server and it is arguably the simplest approach. Though old, IDENTITY is still maintained in modern versions of SQL Server and is still relevant for simple use cases.