Stairway to SQL Server Security Level 6: Execution Context and Code Signing
A fundamental way that SQL Server determines whether a principal has the permissions necessary to execute code is with its execution context rules. It’s all complicated by the possibility that a principal has permission to execute code but doesn’t have permission on the underlying objects accessed by the code, such as the data in a table. This stairway level will explore SQL Server’s execution context, ownership chains, and impersonation, as well as show you how you can control access to data via T-SQL code.
Centralize Your Database Monitoring Process
SQL Server Data Collector, together with Management Data Warehouse, is a fine and useful component for gathering information centrally about how SQL Server instances are being used, and thereby keeping an eye out for problems. It comes into its own when you have figured out how to configure it to run on maybe hundreds of instances using Central Management Server. Dennes describes how to tame the system so that it scales.
New SQL Monitor Custom Metric: Number of Unused Indexes
This metric can help if you want to monitor the number of indexes per database that haven't been used for the last month. Indexes that aren't in use should be removed because they can degrade INSERT, UPDATE and DELETE performance, and they use storage space.
It's OK to be an Outfitter, not a Prospector
As data professional I have played with Analytics and found I'm better suited to development and administration, and that's ok.
Managing the Big Data Technical Staff
Big data is everywhere, and most large IT enterprises have installed one or more big data applications. These applications provide fast access to large stores of data, usually customer or sales data. Your technical staff that supports these applications and the systems that analyze and consume the data didn't exist ten years ago. Who are these new IT professionals, and how should you manage them?
SQL Saturday #374 - Austria
SQL Saturday is holding its first event in Vienna on February 28, 2014. With over 20 sessions on SQL Server, the event is aimed at all those interested in SQL Server - from pros to beginners. Register while space is available.
Capture CREATE, DROP, ALTER from the default SQL trace file
Tracks and stores changes to database objects by reading from the default SQL server trace file using ::fn_trace_gettable()
Expediency versus Best Practice!
Rumour has it that some grand old houses in the British Isles may be haunted. A SQL Server consultant spends a night in such a house musing over the use of T-SQL versus SSIS. The story is entirely fictitious and the article has been written pro bono and dedicated to the SQL Server community. For its interest, amusement and imagination.
Quintessential Or Elegant
This editorial addresses the need to write the most effective and efficient code for our solutions
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Forums
SPAM Issues May 2026
We suffered a SPAM attack from May 1-6, which unfortunately corresponded with time off...
SQL Password enforcing
Hi to all We have situation at a client where someone is illegally changing...
SQL Password enforcing
Hi to all We have situation at a client where someone is illegally changing...
Question of the Day
Creating a JSON Document III
I have this data in a table called dbo.NFLTeams
TeamID TeamName City YearEstablished ------ -------- ---- --------------- 1 Cowboys Dallas 1960 2 Eagles Philadelphia 1933 3 Packers Green Bay 1919 4 Chiefs Kansas City 1960 5 49ers San Francisco 1946 6 Broncos Denver 1960 7 Seahawks Seattle 1976 8 Patriots New England 1960If I run this code, how many rows are returned?
SELECT TOP 2
json_objectagg('Team' : TeamName)
FROM dbo.NFLTeams;
See possible answers