How Big is Your Transaction Log?
If you are not managing the transaction log space used by a database, the transaction log might grow uncontrollably. With SQL Server 2017 there is a new dynamic management function (DMF) that exposes statistical information about a database transaction log. One of the things you can do with the information returned from this DMF is to determine how full a database transaction log file is.
Explaining Our Professions to Our Parents
Have you ever had a difficult time explaining what your job entails to your parents or other family members? You may be working in a field that didn’t exist 20 years ago, such as mobile device development, or your job may be so specialized that non-technical people will never understand. Now that my job title […]
Azure and Windows PowerShell: Using VM Extensions
In the third part of his series, Nicolas Prigent describes how to run post-deployment configuration and automation tasks on Azure Virtual Machines. Nicolas explains how to use Azure VM Extensions using the Azure PowerShell module to save time during the provisioning process.
5th annual “Seattle Freecon”
On Monday, November 5th, 2018, the 5th annual “Seattle Freecon” (a FreeCon in Seattle for those that might not be attending a pre-con before the PASS Summit) will be held. Put on by Jason Brimhall and Wayne Sheffield, there’s a set of 6 sessions you can attend for free that day. That’s right, absolutely FREE.
Index Tuning Week: How Many Indexes Are Too Many?
When you're not sure, start by aiming for 5 or less indexes per table, with 5 or less fields each.
Embrace Stored Procedures
Developers working with SQL Server should learn to embrace stored procedures. They really, really do work well.
HIPAA and Database Administration – Part 2
HIPAA was signed into law in the United States in 1996. In this article, Robert Sheldon discusses how the act affects the day-to-day responsibilities of database administrators.
Software Engineering in Practice
Is there a need for apprenticeships in the data world? Should we consciously seek to view our first year as an apprenticeship? Should companies provide learning paths for new hires?
Blogs
Webinar: Navigating the Database Landscape in 2026
By Steve Jones
For a number of years, we’ve produced the State of the Database Landscape report,...
Claude AI Convinced Me Not to Build an iPad App
By Steve Jones
I coach volleyball and I do a lot of stat stuff on paper. I...
A New Word: Dolorblindness
By Steve Jones
dolorblindness – n. the frustration that you’ll never be able to understand another person’s...
Forums
Data Warehouse Toolkit meets Star Schema: The Complete Reference
Is there a good syllabus for reading these two together? (Yes, it's called the...
GPX distance and time analysis in SQL Server
Comments posted to this topic are about the item GPX distance and time analysis...
The DBA is Dead; Long Live the DBA
Comments posted to this topic are about the item The DBA is Dead; Long...
Question of the Day
Changing the AG Listener
In SQL Server 2025, if I want to remove an IP from a listener, what do I do?
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