RAID and Its Impact on your SQL Performance
This article attempts to explain RAID's impact on SQL performance.
Microsoft Azure Diagnostics Part 1: Introduction
Having a well thought-out plan for diagnostic data is important for on-premises applications, but it is arguably more important for distributed, highly scalable cloud applications. Michael Collier has provided a clear introduction to Microsoft Azure Diagnostics, including the Diagnostics Agent and how to extract the data.
SQL Scripts in SSMS
A new plug in for Management Studio from Red Gate is free. It will give you access to all the scripts at SQLServerCentral, including your own briefcase.
Using Encrypted Backups in SQL Server 2014
This article details encrypted backups and how they are implemented in SQL Server 2014.
Why Don't We Have Better Practices?
It seems as though the quality of much software isn't very good. What is that? Couldn't we do better? Certainly some people write much better code. Why can't the rest of us imitate them?
Validate File Properties with PowerShell Prior to Import into SQL Server
We recently faced an issue where an internal data provider began providing an incomplete or inaccurate files because it lacked the proper length (or didn't exceed a certain size). In our case, we implemented a check on the file before importing using PowerShell, here's what we did.
Stairway to SQL PowerShell Level 7: SQL Server PowerShell and the Basics of SMO
In this level we begin our journey into the SQL Server SMO space. SMO stands for Shared Management Objects and is a library written in .NET for use with SQL Server. The SMO library is available when you install SQL Server Management Tools or you install it separately.
The Performance of Traversing a SQL Hierarchy
Dwain Camps shows that, depending on the size and characteristics of some hierarchical data, six different methods of traversal can each be the fastest at some point. He illustrates the danger in generalizing from just one set of test data, and that it's foolish to assume that just because SQL code looks neat, it will perform well.
Better Training
What are better ways to train people to work in the technology field? Steve Jones has a few ideas.
Blogs
A New Word: los vidados
By Steve Jones
los vidados – n. the half-remembered acquaintances you knew years ago, who you might...
In-Person CISA Training – April 13-16, 2026
By Brian Kelley
I will be leading an in-person Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) exam prep class...
EightKB 2026
EightKB is back again for 2026! The biggest online SQL Server internals conference is...
Forums
query to track time spent on individual tasks in SSIS
Hi everyone I am looking at building a query to determine how much time...
SQL Server Transactional Replication from Always On Availability Groups to Azure SQL Database
Comments posted to this topic are about the item SQL Server Transactional Replication from...
Hidden Heroes
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Hidden Heroes
Question of the Day
Identities and Sequences I
When thinking of the Identity property for auto incrementing columns and sequences for the same action, which are explicitly linked to increment a number in a table when a new row is added?
See possible answers