The Toolchain for the Job?
Phil Factor ponders the use of toolchains in automation, and wonders if there might not be a better way.
Managing multiple database versions
Sometimes, it's necessary to have different versions of a database running in production. But how do you establish a single source of truth in source control? Alex Yates from DLM Consultants shows how to use object filters in SQL Compare to build multiple database versions from the same source.
Which Indexes are not Used?
During the development cycle, indexes will be placed on SQL Server tables to speed up performance when searching for records. Lots of thought probably has gone into creating just the right mix of indexes based on how developers think customers will use the system. But how do you tell if all the indexes are being used once your database has been implemented into production?
A Fun Distraction
With the holiday season here, Steve Jones wonders what you'll do for fun away from work.
Managing Log Files Sizes the Easy Way
Learn an easy, rough, and ready way to manage log files in this piece.
Introduction to C# Scripting for SQL Server DBAs
Microsoft has introduced an interactive C# scripting technology inside the Visual Studio 2015 environment. In this post, Jeffrey Yao looks at how we can use this to perform SQL Server tasks.
Solving an SSIS Error – Cannot convert between Unicode and non-Unicode
When loading data with SSIS, sometimes there are various errors that may crop up. This article provides a solution when you get have a problem between Unicode and non-Unicode fields.
This is how to fail
Today we have a guest editorial from Tim Mitchell that talks about security and communications with your customers. Ultimately it pays to be open and honest.
Deploying schema changes to multiple databases using the SQL Compare command line
Feodor Georgiev explains how SQL Compare Pro makes it possible to automate the process of synchronizing a source and target database. By calling SQL Compare from a simple batch script, he shows how to make it work for a whole list of targets, one after another.
Listing Duplicate Values by Group
Without question, one of the most common tasks performed by Database Administrators (DBAs) is identifying and weeding out duplicate values in tables. Despite the inordinate number of queries written by other DBAs to locate duplicate values in their database tables, the real challenge is in locating a useable SQL statement to go by. Rob Gravelle presents a few solutions that will save you some time down the road.
Blogs
A Career of Memories
By Steve Jones
Annabel retired from Redgate Software this week. Across most of my career at Redgate,...
Rethinking Index Maintenance: Why avg_fragmentation_in_percent Is Outdated and What You Should Do Instead
By Tim Radney
As a SQL Server DBA with years of experience tuning production environments, I’ve seen...
Microsoft Build 2026 announcements
By James Serra
Once again there were a number of Microsoft Build announcements related to data and...
Forums
Changes, Happiness, and a Few Tears
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Changes, Happiness, and a Few...
BCP on Linux
Comments posted to this topic are about the item BCP on Linux
You Probably Don't Need a Vector Database
Comments posted to this topic are about the item You Probably Don't Need a...
Question of the Day
BCP on Linux
When running bcp on Linux, what is the field terminator?
See possible answers