Mining for Quitters
Google is trying to figure out who might quit the company, using their own custom application. Steve Jones thinks this is a great idea and wishes more companies would do it.
The Ultimate Tool List
This week Steve Jones looks at a few tools that can help your productivity and links to a few more.
Migrating SQL Server Database to Windows Azure - Deploying SQL Database
There are a few challenges associated with deployments of data services in Windows Azure, focusing in particular on SQL Database. In this article we turn our attention to an actual deployment and migration of locally stored data to SQL Database.
The Zero to N Parameter Problem (Sql Server 2005 and Up -- Update)
This article uses XML to deal with optional parameters along with multiple parameter passed into a stored procedure. (Note: We are re-running this as we had a newsletter issue last week)
Memories of 2013
It's the last Friday of 2013 and Steve Jones asks you to look back at the year. What stands out in your mind that relates to SQL Server.
The Importance of Validating Backups
You may think that if your database has backed up without errors, that it's going to restore without errors. Think again, says Paul Randal.
The PoSH DBA - SQLPSX: SQL Server PowerShell Extensions
Every DBA needs to know about SQLPSX, the PowerShell module library that is built by DBAs for DBAs, and designed to provide intuitive functions around the SMO objects. Laerte Junior, who is one of the developers on the open-source project, describes how to use it.
It's not the platform
Steve Jones doesn't think that it matters which platform you choose. It's more about the people you have.
Generate multiple SSIS packages using BIML and metadata
Although BIML is very powerful, you wouldn’t use it to generate one package at a time. Using metadata, we can generate multiple packages on the fly. Koen Verbeeck illustrates how to convert the BIML script for generating the import package to a dynamic package generating machine.
How to Compare Rows within Partitioned Sets to Find Overlapping Dates
How to Compare Rows within Partitioned Sets to Find Overlapping, Contiguous, or Gap dates
Blogs
Upgrading SQL Server Containers on the Laptop
By Steve Jones
I don’t have SQL Server installed on my laptop. In an effort to keep...
How to Find Expensive Queries in Amazon Redshift
Slow-running queries can degrade your Redshift cluster’s performance and lead to increased costs. Identifying...
The Notification Trap: How Input Fatigue Is Killing Deep Work in Tech
By gbargsley
If you've been here before, you know this blog is usually about SQL Server,...
Forums
SQL 2019 instance with AG, across 2 Windows 2016 OS servers - OSin-place upgrade
Hi all Can I get some perspective from the community please on performing in-place...
How Long is a Long I/O?
Comments posted to this topic are about the item How Long is a Long...
T-SQL Trigonometric Functions in SQL Server
Comments posted to this topic are about the item T-SQL Trigonometric Functions in SQL...
Question of the Day
How Long is a Long I/O?
In SQL Server 2025, a long I/O is recorded in the error log with message 833. How long much an I/O request be outstanding before this message is written to the log?
See possible answers