Fragmented or Centralized Data
Is it better to copy and distribute data or centralize it? Steve has a few thoughts today.
Using a Surrogate vs Natural Key
A common debate in table architecture is whether to use a natural or surrogate key. In this article, I discuss some of the advantages to each method.
Database Tools and Extensions for Visual Studio 2019
In this article, you will explore tools and extensions that can be used with Visual Studio 2019 to improve your database experience irrespective of what database you use.
A User-Defined Function returns more rows
The Problem Recently, while working with one of my clients, I came across a script in which I had to introduce a scalar User-Defined Function in the SELECT statement. The SELECT used to return around 750K records. However, after introducing the UDF, the row count significantly increased to 826K. There were no other changes made […]
Aging in Technology
As we grow and evolve in our careers, we face new challenges all the time. Steve highlights on of those that some tech workers worry about today.
Building Machine Learning Models to Solve Practical Problems
Machine learning is a skill that many data professionals are learning as they plan their careers over the next five to ten years. In this article, Supriya Pande gives an overview of machine learning and walks through a practical example.
Capturing the business value of Compliant Database DevOps
You’ve probably heard of Compliant Database DevOps, but to take it from buzzword to boardroom relies on demonstrating value across your business. IT leaders must think more broadly than cost savings and ROI calculations when investing in scaling DevOps across database teams.
Our latest whitepaper explains how to lay the foundations for a successful DevOps implementation, and how to track success against global metrics that demonstrate your team’s impact across the business.
Moving beyond principal components analysis
Principal components analysis is a standard, but usually terrible, technique for visualising complex data. We're using network diagrams to solve this problem.
The Work of the Ancients
We tend to keep data around for a long time. Today Steve Jones is looking to see how long you've kept your databases around.
Blogs
Measuring RAG Solutions: Are We Retrieving the Right Information?
A RAG pipeline that answers questions in the demo is not the same thing...
Advice I Like: Lots of Ideas
By Steve Jones
“A multitude of bad ideas is necessary for one good idea” – from Excellent...
Building a DBA Agent for Your SQL Server Estate with MCP
Yesterday I gave a talk for MSSQLTips called “Building a DBA Agent for Your...
Forums
How do I connect to a SQL Server database on my ISP?
I've got a web application for my side business. I've added a SQL Server...
Looking for New Blood
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Looking for New Blood
Server-Level Row Counts for Tables and Views
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Server-Level Row Counts for Tables...
Question of the Day
Hyperscale Replicas I
What types of secondary replicas are available for the Azure SQL Database Hyperscale edition?
See possible answers