The Basics of INCLUDE

Learn how the INCLUDE phrase of an index can change the performance of a query.

Handling Tricky Data Migrations during State-based Database Deployments

This article demonstrates how to use a 'state' approach to database source control, when the nature of the database changes cause you to hit difficulties with migrating existing data. These difficulties happen when the differences are such that it is impossible for any automated script to make the changes whilst preserving existing data.

SQL Server Management Studio is as Relevant as Ever

In this Simple Talk editorial Kendra Little discusses how SSMS is as relevant as ever.

Priorities and Productivity

Managing a complex workload is a skill many of us need to acquire and maintain. Today Steve has a few ideas on how to do that.

Stairway to SSAS Tabular Level 8: Multiple Fact Tables and Perspectives

In this eighth step of the SSAS Tabular Stairway start to expand the model beyond one fact table.

Getting Started with SQL Server Azure Container Instances ACI

Learn how to quickly deploy a new SQL Server instance on Azure using Azure Container Instances ACI.

SQL Compare 14 now available on Linux

The latest version of SQL Compare now offers a Command Line Interface on Linux for the first time. Now teams can benefit from the industry standard tool for comparing and deploying SQL Server databases, whether they choose to work on Windows, Linux, or both.

A Spectacular Case of 100% CPU Caused by Online Reindexing

An investigation of a serious performance issue during online re-indexing on a production server leads us to

interesting discoveries and solutions.

Very Hot Patches

Azure SQL Database can be patched without stopping the sqlsrvr.exe process. Quite a feat of engineering.

Implementing SQL Server Integration Services with Azure Data Factory

Azure SQL Database, unlike its on-premises counterparts, restricted its integration capabilities to those implemented directly by the database engine. To remediate this shortcoming, Microsoft provided equivalent functionality by relying on integration runtime of Azure Data Factory. In this article, you get an overview of this Azure-based SSIS offering.