The Job Outlook for Database Professionals
The job outlook for database professionals is good, but it's not that easy to get a great job. Steve has some advice for you today.
The Power of Generate_series
SQL 2022 introduced the function generate_series which permits us to solve problems for which we previously had to use a table of numbers (also known as a "tally table"). generate_series is a great addition, because when using a table of numbers there was always a risk that you could run out of numbers. Or some joker could have deleted rows from the table. All these worries are gone with generate_series.
Determining Whether Home Addresses Fall Within a Tornado Polygon Using Spatial Functions
Geographic information systems (GIS) play a critical role in emergency response planning and risk assessment. One of the key challenges in this field is determining whether a specific location falls within an area of interest. This capability is especially valuable for property and casualty (P&C) insurers, who need to assess their insured property exposure when severe weather events such as tornadoes occur.
A Poor Data Model
Steve has a few thoughts on natural keys, which often turn out not to be as unique as we expect.
Improve Query Performance when SQL Server Ignores Nonclustered Index
Do you wonder why SQL Server ignores an index? Do you think about how you can deal with this problem? When you include too many columns in a query you decrease index selectivity. So, if you write a query like “Select * From …” the chance of choosing your nonclustered index will decrease.
What is time?
There was a post on X I read today about valuing your time. The gist was that since this person had waited 9 minutes to save $4, they valued their time at $27 an hour. I get the point being made. Time is valuable and you need to set the value of your time. It […]
Your Biggest Data Model Complaints
Today Steve asks which data model issues are most annoying to you.
SQL Server Backup or Restore using Network Share with SSMS
In this article, we look at how to create a SQL backup to network share or restore a backup from a network share.
Why Not Use AI?
Steve re-posts a question from someone else, asking why you wouldn't want to use an AI.
Why use Tally Tables in the Fabric Warehouse? Data Engineering in Fabric
This next article in the Data Engineering with Fabric series showcases how tally tables can help load data in a Fabric warehouse.
Blogs
Rambling about Data on Wheels – origins, branding, expansion
By DataOnWheels
I have been asked many times about how the name “Data on Wheels” came...
Think Twice Before Enabling Fabric’s Inbound Network Protection
Fabric inbound network protection involves two tenant-level controls: Private Link and Block Public Internet...
Match the Model to the Task, Not the App: An Orchestrator-Worker Pattern in Python
Most apps that call an LLM send every request to the same model. That...
Forums
AI Observability Challenges in FinOps as a DBA
Comments posted to this topic are about the item AI Observability Challenges in FinOps...
Migration Challenge: Excessive FULLSCAN Statistics Update Duration Blocking SQL
Hello everyone , I am planning to migrate a database from SQL Server 2014...
SQL Agent Job Automated Change Capture Process
Comments posted to this topic are about the item SQL Agent Job Automated Change...
Question of the Day
Finding a Database Master Key
Where do I check for the existence of a Database Master Key (DMK) in SQL Server 2025?
See possible answers