No More Foreign Keys?
Does it make sense to avoid FKs for use other architectures in software development? Steve Jones isn't sure a a general rule this is the case.
Choosing hash distributed table vs. round-robin distributed table in Azure SQL DW Service
Designing databases to use distributed tables effectively will help you to achieve the storage and query processing benefits of the Azure SQL DW Service (SQL DW). In this article, Murshed Zaman explains the various Azure SQL Data Warehouse distributed table types, and offers guidance for choosing the type of distributed table to use and when to use it.
Free Webinar: Should your databases be Continuously Delivered?
If you want to learn more about Continuous Delivery, and where your databases fit into the picture, join Dave Farley on September 2nd for a webinar covering why databases are an essential component of CD, and how to start modernizing your software development practices.
SQL Server 2016 – Introduction to Stretch Database
Beginning with SQL Server 2016 you will have the ability to store portions of a database in the cloud. Tim Radney introduces Stretch Database by looking at the applications and limitations of the new feature.
An Introduction to Real-Time Communication with SignalR
SignalR, from Microsoft, solves many of the problems that come with developing web applications that need a communication channel with the server that is effective on a variety of server and client configurations. Christos Matskas gives an overview of the library and its potential.
Database Documentation Survey
Documentation often gets left behind in software development, perhaps even more so when it comes to developing the database schema. How do you keep yours up-to-date? Do you even think you should?
Identify SQL Server Database Growth Rates
Unchecked SQL Server database growth can hurt the bottom line of organizations in the form of poor application performance and increased infrastructure costs. In this article, Marios Philippopoulos looks at whether there's an easy way to proactively obtain a recent list of the fastest-growing databases in a SQL Server instance using information captured by default in the database engine.
Deciding on a Primary Key in Oracle
Designing a system with primary keys in mind is not an easy task, and the solutions may not be the simplest. However the effort is well worth the time and trouble when you realize that it's the best way to prevent duplicate data - but how do you choose a primary key? David Fitzjarrell looks at several examples.
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