Syntactic Sugar
Syntactic sugar doesn't necessarily help a platform, but makes it easier or more fun to work on.
Reading, Writing, and Creating SQL Server Extended Properties
There is a great gulf between wanting to document your database properly with extended properties and actually doing it. Extended Properties have many uses but they aren't easy to use. Phil Factor is on a mission to make it easier for ordinary mortals to use extended properties as intended, to aid the database development process.
Data Preservation
Today Steve Jones talks about the challenges of preserving data across long periods of time, decades perhaps.
Extended Events for Tracking Backup and Restore Progress
Microsoft has introduced new extended events in SQL server 2016 which will give us detailed information about restore and backup process.
Spills SQL Server Doesn’t Warn You About
Table variables get a lot of bad press, and they deserve it. They are to query performance what the TSA is to air travel. No one’s sure what they’re doing, but they’ve been taking forever to do it.
Provisioning
This week Steve Jones is asking about the timeframe for you to get a new SQL Server instance? Is it substantial? Do you really know? Answer this week.
Managing Packages Using Windows PowerShell
Windows hasn't had a package manager in the style of the Advanced Packaging Tool (APT) of Linux distributions. Apt-get is a great way of installing packages and other software. We have Chocolatey, of course which has a growing library of software and even allows you to automatically update software. Now PowerShell has an 'official' way of using any system, such as NuGet, Chocolatey, GitHub or PSget. It is definitely useful and likely to mature into an indispensable tool for Windows users. Nicolas explains wh.
The Future of Auditing
Auditing is a weak point in SQL Server according to Steve Jones. He looks at a few of its flaws.
Capacity Planning Using Performance Data
Erin Stellato discusses the types of performance data needed to help with capacity planning.
Blogs
ISACA AI Material/Exam Prep Discount (May 18 – June 30, 2026)
By Brian Kelley
If you are considering any of the ISACA AI certs like the Advanced Artificial...
A Fabric solution can be very cost effective
By ChrisJenkins
Are you currently using Microsoft Fabric or considering migrating to it? If so, there...
Track SQL Server Configuration Changes Using the Error Log
By SQLPals
Track SQL Server Configuration Changes Using the Error Log If you...
Forums
We Are Eating Our Own Seed Corn
Comments posted to this topic are about the item We Are Eating Our Own...
Before Using AI with Business Data, Read This
Artificial intelligence tools are quickly becoming part of daily business operations, from document analysis...
Designing SQL Server ETL Pipelines That Don't Break at Scale
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Designing SQL Server ETL Pipelines...
Question of the Day
Detecting Deadlocks Quickly
In the Database Engine, when a deadlock is detected, what does the detection interval shrink to (in time)?
See possible answers