Learning Backup to Azure
References and links to get you started in backing up your database to the Azure blob storage.
No Downtime Deployments
Can you deploy your database changes without any downtime? Steve Jones has a few notes.
What We Want and What We'll Pay For
The challenges of getting enough resources for our projects aren't always apparent.
Can Code Review Be Automated?
Code must be checked, but how? Phil Factor shares his thoughts on automating SQL code reviews.
Is Skynet Coming?
The poll this week looks to the future and artificial intelligence. Steve Jones wonders if we'll ever really see this.
SAN and NAS protocols and how they impact SQL Server
Discusses the various SAN and NAS protocols (FC, iSCSI, NFS) and how choosing one over the other can impact your SQL Server Performance.
SQL Explained
A short explanation and infographic of what SQL is. For the non-SQL people in your life.
SQL Style Habits: Attack of the Skeuomorphs
Although we like to think that our programming techniques are progressive and in tune with the bleeding edge of software development practices, too often they are directly influenced by restrictions faced when computers first became mainstream in the post-war decades. In this article Joe Celko looks at the history of mainframes, FORTRAN I and COBOL.
Is It Worth Writing Unit Tests?
What's the overhead for writing unit tests? Ed Elliot breaks it down, looking at the ways in which unit tests both take more time and save time.
The Evolving DBA
The job of the DBA is constantly evolving, but one thing has always been critical: access to data.
Blogs
Redgate and Rome
By Steve Jones
I’m at the UK Redgate office today, meeting with senior leaders in all areas...
Quick Tip: Check Most DTU Expensive Queries in Azure SQL Database
Optimizing Azure SQL Database performance often begins with identifying the most resource-intensive queries. Understanding...
PowerShell Newbie – Variables
By gbargsley
This is Week 2 of PowerShell Strikes Back – a four-week May series for...
Forums
SSRS Is Dead. Here Are Your Real Options
Comments posted to this topic are about the item SSRS Is Dead. Here Are...
The Distance Metric
Comments posted to this topic are about the item The Distance Metric
The New Wave of Security Threats
Comments posted to this topic are about the item The New Wave of Security...
Question of the Day
The Distance Metric
In the new VECTOR_DISTANCE() function in SQL Server 2025, the first parameter is the distance_metric. What is this?
See possible answers