Better Protection from Hardware
Today Steve looks at a research project from Microsoft that provides some better protection from firmware security issues.
Monitor Current Analysis Services Activity
Although not every business has SSAS (SQL Server Analysis Services) installed nor use it extensively, the ones who do also care about their database responsiveness. If it is slow, what else is running that may be causing the slowness? Are there any locks? What commands are being run, who is running them, from where? How […]
Test data provisioning for development – free whitepaper
Compare the most common approaches to provisioning test data to database development teams and see how they stack up.
Learn why traditional approaches like restore from backup are no longer suitable, and how successful organizations are implementing a combined data masking and data virtualization approach.
Update only Year, Month or Day in a SQL Server Date
In this tip we look at how to change specific parts of a date such as the Year, Month or Day for data stored in a SQL Server table.
SQL Server performance issue after an upgrade
Recently, I came across a problem where the client reported severe performance degradation of their OLAP system. Most of the reports that were running were either timing out or were returning data after a long time. The problem started right after the client had undergone an upgrade, that included the following, Software change, that includes […]
A Toolbox Every DBA Should Have
As a DBA it is important to have a toolbox that supports the work you do. You need to have a toolbox that allows you to work smarter instead of harder. Read on to learn about some key tools every DBA should have in their toolbox!
Controlling how SQL Prompt Formats your Code: The Knobs and Dials
Phil Factor explores and discusses the current state of the art in SQL Formatting, as done automatically by SQL Prompt.
The harsh reality of charitable IT work
At work in IT, we can wander around looking important with no apparent useful skills whatsoever. When working outside the bubble of the industry, things are different.
A New Recovery Tool for Your Toolbelt
Learning a new skill is always helpful, especially for backup and restore. Steve Jones talks about an idea from the SQLCAT team.
Azure Text Analytics and Power BI
In this tip we look at how to analyze textual data to gain insight from freeform text using Azure Text Analytics and Power BI.
Blogs
Learn about Modern Microsoft Apps in San Diego
By Steve Jones
I wrote about learning today for the editorial: I Can’t Make You Learn. I...
How To Deploy Fabric SQL and Azure SQL Databases with Azure DevOps
By ReviewMyDB
Fabric has CI/CD built in, but if you've tried to use it for database...
A New Word: Attriage
By Steve Jones
attriage – n. the state of having lost all control over how you feel...
Forums
SSRS Reminded Me of the Time Microsoft Retired TMG
Comments posted to this topic are about the item SSRS Reminded Me of the...
Getting results from a Procedure to join to a query
I have a need to execute a stored procedure and return the results to...
Upgrade 2016 Standard to 2022 Express
Title pretty much says it all - can this be done? I've tried several...
Question of the Day
BIT_COUNT II
In SQL Server 2025, I have a table (dbo.UserPermission) that contains this data:
UserID UserPermissions 15 23 37 4 NULLWhat is returned when I run this code:
select bit_count(UserPermissions) as PermissionCount from dbo.UserPermission where UserID = 4;See possible answers