Hidden Formatting Troubles with STR() (SQL Spackle)
Fill in another bit of your T-SQL knowledge about STR(). It right justifies, rounds, and controls the output width of columns. Sounds perfect but here's why you might not want to use it.
Parameter Sniffing in SQL Server 2019: Adaptive Memory Grants
This week, Brent is demoing SQL Server 2019 features that he's really excited about, and they all center around a theme we all know and love: parameter sniffing.
Reporting on the Status of Clones During Database Development
Phil Factor uses SQL Clone, PowerShell and Visio to build a live 'clone network' diagram showing when there was last activity on each clone, and the number of object changes made to each one, alongside useful metadata such as the clone and image sizes, who created them and when.
The Database Giveth and Taketh Away
A database error at Southwest Airlines confused some customers and was embarrassing. Steve worries that we might want to be more careful in the future about making database mistakes.
Using Backup Encryption with an External Certificate
Learn how to load an external certificate into SQL Server to encrypt your backups.
Reporting Services Basics: Overview and Installation
SQL Server Reporting Services has changed quite a bit since it was introduced in 2004. Despite new analytic services like Power BI, SSRS is still a popular tool for paginated reports. In this article, Kathi Kellenberger explains the architecture of SSRS and walks you through installing an SSRS development environment on your workstation or laptop.
SQL in the City Summits – UK, US & Down Under
Redgate are inviting senior data professionals to attend one of the upcoming SQL in the City Summit events taking place in April, May and June. If you’re interested in learning how your business can benefit from implementing Compliant Database DevOps this event is for you. Find out who’s presenting and register for a Summit near you today. Register now
Tracking the number of active sessions on a database using SQL Monitor
Phil Factor creates a simple custom metric to track the number of sessions that have recently done a read or write on a database. Having established a baseline for the metric, you'll be able to spot, and investigate the cause of, any wild deviations from normal behavior.
Can Azure Stack Reduce Software Development Costs?
Azure Stack provides a hybrid cloud infrastructure platform. Steve wonders if this really helps reduce software development costs.
Blogs
How AgentDBA Identifies Backup Failures
By Arun Sirpal
Every DBA has a box like this. Sitting untouched for months. Nobody’s proud of...
Tip: Expanding a SQL statement
In all recent versions of the database you can call DBMS_UTILITY.EXPAND_SQL_TEXT to get the...
AI Helps Me with My Sloppiness
By Steve Jones
I type fairly well. Well, I type fast, but I do wear out a...
Forums
??????????????+Q?1825214279
??????????????+Q?1825214279??????????????+Q?1825214279??????????????+Q?1825214279
Question of the Day
Independence Day 2026
In the original Independence Day movie (1996), what type of computer did Jeff Goldblum use to connect to the alien mainframe? Take a guess, don't look it up or ask AI.
See possible answers