You're not really that good at SQL Server
Steve reminds some people that there are reasons to continue to improve your skills.
How are you using tools to design and model databases?
Redgate invite you to participate in their survey on database modeling. In order to inform their future product decisions, they'd like to better understand the needs and motivations behind the use of such tools.
Introduction to SQL Server Security — Part 4
The sa account is the most powerful account in a SQL Server instance, and most DBAs disable it. There are several other built-in accounts that you may not think about that often. Robert Sheldon continues his SQL Server security series with an article about built-in accounts.
Why should SQL Server 2019 excite developers?
Phil Factor is excited for SQL Server 2019 and is keen to tell you why.
Azure Data Explorer
Azure Data Explorer is a platform from Microsoft that might be an interesting fit
A Database Developer’s Guide to SQL Clone
Phil Factor explains how SQL Clone works, and its multiple benefits when used in daily development and testing work, as well as for other tasks such as training staff to use a new application.
How to Implement In-Memory OLTP Quickly and Easily
When you first hear about it, SQL Server’s In-Memory OLTP sounds like a new feature that’s hard to implement, requires a lot of schema changes, and takes planning and downtime. Here Brent Ozar tells you how it’s simply not true, and you can do it in just 3 steps.
Crosstab queries using PIVOT in SQL Server
In this tip we look at how to construct a SQL Server PIVOT query with an example and explanation.
How to Monitor IDENTITY columns to prevent unplanned downtime
If a table runs out of IDENTITY values then it, and any dependent services and applications, will be "read-only" until the problem is fixed. Steve Jones explains how to set up a custom monitor to detect and prevent such problems.
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
SQL Art, Part 4: Happy 4th of July — A British DBA's Guide to Celebrating a War We Don't Talk About
Comments posted to this topic are about the item SQL Art, Part 4: Happy...
How We Handled a Vendor Retry That Loaded Twice in Snowflake
Comments posted to this topic are about the item How We Handled a Vendor...
Cognitive Coverage
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Cognitive Coverage
Question of the Day
Getting the Average
I have this data in the dbo.Commission table in a SQL Server 2022 database.
salesperson commission Brian 12 Brian 16 Andy 7 Andy 14 Andy 21 Steve 20 Steve NULLAll the data is a varchar, and I decide to run this query to get the totals for each salesperson.
SELECT SalesPerson
, AVG(TRY_PARSE(Commission AS int)) AS TotalCommission
FROM commission
GROUP BY SalesPerson
GO
What average commission is calculated for Steve? See possible answers