How do you know when it is time to leave a job?

Today we have a guest editorial from Ben Kubicek as Steve is traveling out of town. I discovered I had stayed at a job about two years too long. Why was that?

Stairway to T-SQL: Beyond The Basics Level 4: Using Views to Simplify Your Query

This level discusses how to use a database VIEW to simplify your Transact-SQL(T-SQL) code. By understanding how to use a VIEW you will be able to better support writing T-SQL code to meet complex business requirements. In this article I will be discussing what a database VIEW is and then providing a number of examples to help you understand how you can use a VIEW to implement different coding scenarios.

PowerShell Desired State Configuration: Automating and Monitoring Pull mode

The Pull mode of Desired State Configuration (DSC) is more complicated to implement because you need to meticulously manage the MOF files and their naming conventions so as to ensure that you deploy your DSC configurations correctly. In this first article of a two-part series, Nicolas Prigent describes how you can best automate this, and then in a second part on monitoring DSC he describes techniques to help you to use the pull mode as a regular part of your admin work.

Byte Me: Supervirus

Target Recovery Interval and Indirect Checkpoint

Indirect checkpoint is the recommended configuration, especially on systems with large memory footprints and default for databases created in SQL Server 2016.

SQL Server differences of char, nchar, varchar and nvarchar data types

Sherlee Dizon looks at the basic differences between char, nchar, varchar, and nvarchar, as well as what to be aware of when using each data type.

Using SQL Compare with Dynamic Data Masking

Dynamic Data Masking is an exciting new feature in SQL Server 2016, allowing DBAs to centrally set a mask that is returned for a table column instead of the actual data, limiting what information is returned to certain users in a consistent and reliable way. What’s more, Redgate SQL Compare safely and reliably handles your DDM changes. Data Platform MVP Steve Jones explains more.

Stairway to U-SQL Level 4: U-SQL and Data Lake Tooling with Visual Studio

A guide to using Visual Studio to create U-SQL projects and scripts.

The Relentless Cloud

The march to the cloud is ongoing and Steve Jones says you should prepare yourself. Even if your company doesn't move.

Number of Rows Read / Actual Rows Read warnings in Plan Explorer

Rob Farley looks at information exposed in query plans about residual predicates and actual rows read, showing how Plan Explorer helps identify the issue.