Top Talent Leaves
Why do employees leave their companies? There are a variety of reasons, but when your most talented people leave, that's a concern. Steve Jones comments on what we might do about this.
Simple SQL: Random Thoughts
How does one get a truly random sample of data of a certain size from a SQL Server database table. Well, there are simple non-portable tricks one can use, such as the NewID() function, but then refining those can be tricky. Take the Rand() function for a start. Can it really provide you with a truly random number? Why doesn't the TABLESAMPLE clause give you a set number of rows? Joe Celko scratches his head a bit, explains some of the issues and invites some suggestions and tricks from readers.
SQL Server AlwaysOn Availability Groups Using an Azure Template
There is already a template on the Azure marketplace for setting up an AlwaysOn Availability Group. In just a few easy steps you can get a working AlwaysOn Availability Group setup, configured and running - this post describes the steps to quickly set it up.
Don’t Underestimate the Importance of Good Co-workers
It is important to have people that do good work and are good to work with.
Key Lookups and ColumnStore Indexes
Erik figures out why SQL Server really doesn't like combining these two things in a query plan.
The Cloud is Better In At Least One Way
Azure SQL Database has a lot of integrity checks. Probably more than your local instance.
Timing is Everything
Phil Factor on the wise habit of timing your database routines, to avoid relying on received wisdom about performance.
The Power of Python and SQL Server 2017
Python is new to SQL Server 2017. It is intended primarily to allow the use of Python-based machine-learning within SQL Server, but it can be used for far more than this, with any Python libraries or Frameworks. To provide an example of what is possible, Hitendra shows how to use the feature securely to provide intelligent application caching, where SQL Server can automatically indicate when data changes to trigger a cache refresh.
A Lightweight, Self-adjusting, Baseline-less Data Monitor
Can data alert us that something is going on, without baselines and thresholds?
Blogs
Monday Monitor Tips: Virtual Machine Usage and Cost
By Steve Jones
One of the things I’ve been requesting for a number of years is cost...
Advice I Like: Respect
By Steve Jones
“Don’t aim to have others like you; aim to have them respect you.” –...
Blue Sky Programming – The Optimism Trap
Many years ago, before I joined Oracle, I was working on a major modernisation...
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...
SQL Server Still Wins
Comments posted to this topic are about the item SQL Server Still Wins
DBCC CHECKDB Limits I
Comments posted to this topic are about the item DBCC CHECKDB Limits I
Question of the Day
DBCC CHECKDB Limits I
When running DBCC CHECKDB on SQL Server 2025, can I include the Resource Database?
See possible answers