How to Change the File Extension for a Data File
This is a fix to primary data file that is created with a different file extension or accidentally renamed to a different file extension
It's Time to Patch and Upgrade
With bugs in our CPUs, everyone needs to plan on patching or upgrading.
Nasty Fast PERCENT_RANK
Alan Burstein discusses a better performning alternative to PERCENT_RANK that works on SQL Server versions 2005+
Questions about Data Masking That You Were Too Shy to Ask
The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) will be in effect in May of 2018. Data masking is one technique that can help your organization comply with this and other regulations. William Brewer answers those questions about data masking that you were too shy to ask.
Using Better Tools
Some companies don't want to use tools, but that doesn't make sense to Steve Jones.
SQL Server Machine Learning Services – Part 1: Python Basics
Python is a very popular language used for many purposes including machine learning. SQL Server 2017 supports Python with its Machine Learning Services component. Robert Sheldon explains how to get started using Python in SQL Server in the first article of this series.
How to Turn on Instant File Initialization
Not having instant file initialization turned on slows down the process of adding pages to your database, because prior to allocating the data pages to your database, SQL Server needs to zero out the newly allocated pages.
Understanding Your Value
Data can help you understand the value you bring to a company as a data professional.
Create Size-based Backups for SQL Server 2017
Jeffrey Yao explains how to generate backups based on the amount of data that has changed for differential and transaction log backups.
Blogs
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...
Claude Code Helps Analyze Test Data Manager Log Files
By Steve Jones
I had a customer ask about analyzing their Test Data Manager (TDM) usage to...
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?
See possible answers