Taking Shortcuts
We don't mean to introduce security issues, but sometimes we do because we give in to pressure.
Execution Plans and Data Protection
One of the most important tools for query tuning is ability to view execution plans. They are even portable; you can send an execution plan to get advice from someone who doesn't have access to the underlying data. Have you even considered that sensitive information might travel along with the plans? Hugo Kornelis explains how execution plans affect data protection.
The CDO
Does your company have a Chief Data Officer? Steve Jones doesn't think you need one to use data wisely.
SQL Server Closure Tables
SQL Server has a couple of different ways to represent hierarchies, but they do not allow storing any additional information that is important to the relationship between objects. In this article, Phil Factor explains how to use closure tables to overcome this deficiency.
SQL Server From .Net: Building a DataSet with Code
A basic introduction for developers about working with the DataSet object in ADO.Net to represent objects in a SQL Server database, and some of the options available.
Hash Join Memory Grant Factors
Remember when that old DBA told you not to SELECT *? Erik Darling explains why.
Missing Index Impact and Join Type
Erik Darling shows how missing index requests have different impact numbers depending on the query's join type.
Blogs
PlanTrace Now Supports PostgreSQL
PlanTrace Now Supports PostgreSQL The same plan analysis you know from...
A New Word: the Kinder Surprise
By Steve Jones
the kinder surprise – . the point in your early adolescence when you realize...
Crash-Consistent Snapshot Cloning - Hyper-V Edition
If you’ve been following my T-SQL Snapshot Backup series, most of what I’ve covered...
Forums
SSRS Is Dead. Here Are Your Real Options
Comments posted to this topic are about the item SSRS Is Dead. Here Are...
The Distance Metric
Comments posted to this topic are about the item The Distance Metric
The New Wave of Security Threats
Comments posted to this topic are about the item The New Wave of Security...
Question of the Day
The Distance Metric
In the new VECTOR_DISTANCE() function in SQL Server 2025, the first parameter is the distance_metric. What is this?
See possible answers