Simple way to Import XML Data into SQL Server with T-SQL
In this tip we look at a simple way to import a simple XML document into a SQL Server table.
Caution about Restoring via SSMS v17
A default value has changed in the SSMS v7 restore wizard, and the consequences can be severe.
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.
Blogs
A New Word: los vidados
By Steve Jones
los vidados – n. the half-remembered acquaintances you knew years ago, who you might...
In-Person CISA Training – April 13-16, 2026
By Brian Kelley
I will be leading an in-person Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) exam prep class...
EightKB 2026
EightKB is back again for 2026! The biggest online SQL Server internals conference is...
Forums
query to track time spent on individual tasks in SSIS
Hi everyone I am looking at building a query to determine how much time...
SQL Server Transactional Replication from Always On Availability Groups to Azure SQL Database
Comments posted to this topic are about the item SQL Server Transactional Replication from...
Hidden Heroes
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Hidden Heroes
Question of the Day
Identities and Sequences I
When thinking of the Identity property for auto incrementing columns and sequences for the same action, which are explicitly linked to increment a number in a table when a new row is added?
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