SQL Server 2014 Memory Optimization Advisor
The new SQL Server 2014 “Memory Optimization Advisor” tool helps you quickly analyze tables to see how easy it is to migrate them to In-Memory OLTP tables. Read on to learn more.
Double Checks
Many of us have checks in place on systems or processes, but would we be aware of tampering with the operation of our computer systems? Steve Jones notes that auditing can be important to ensure things are working well.
New SQL Monitor Custom Metric: Default User Service Account
Using a default account for SQL Server services can be a security risk for two reasons. Firstly, it can give the service a higher level of permissions than it needs. Secondly, isolation is compromised by several services running under the same account. This metric checks whether SQL Server services are running under any of the default accounts, such as localsystem.
SQL Enlight for SQL Server Management Studio
The process of doing SQL code-reviews used to be tedious and error-prone. Until SQL Enlight, it was a process that was difficult to automate for release and deployment. As it is now both a Command-line utility and an SSMS add-in, the database developer can see immediately the parts of the code that would raise eyebrows with the vigilant production DBA.
No Bosses
The idea of not having a boss appeals to many of us, but is it really what you'd like? Steve Jones notes that Zappos is trying this, by eliminating many of the manager roles at the company.
The Art of Performance
Tuning a SQL Server instance and improving the way it performs is a complex task that many people struggle to complete. In this piece, Steve Jones talks about the idea that it is a science as much as an art.
Agile Database Development
Agile methodologies work well with database developments only if great care is taken to do things right. It requires good judgement and leaves little room for error. Dev Nambi, in an extract from the book Tribal SQL, argues that Agile works for smart, curious, and experienced software engineers.
Cleveland, OH - SQL in the City Seminar - Deployment Stairway
Grant Fritchey and Steve Jones will be hosting a free seminar in Cleveland on February 7 2014. Join fellow database professionals to learn tips and best practices for SQL Server version control, continuous integration and deployment.
Fuzzy-String Search: Find misspelled information with T-SQL
An optimized Damerau-Levenshtein Distance (DLD) algorithm for "fuzzy" string matching in Transact-SQL 2000-2008
The Desktop Setup
This Friday Steve Jones asks about how you set up your hardware and software environment for work. Are there things you recommend?
Blogs
Advice I Like: Respect
By Steve Jones
“Don’t aim to have others like you; aim to have them respect you.” –...
Blue Sky Programming – The Optimism Trap
Many years ago, before I joined Oracle, I was working on a major modernisation...
Setting Up a Mac for Data Engineering and AI Work
If you work with data pipelines, SQL, notebooks, or machine learning models, a Mac...
Forums
SQL Art, Part 4: Happy 4th of July — A British DBA's Guide to Celebrating a War We Don't Talk About
Comments posted to this topic are about the item SQL Art, Part 4: Happy...
locking down agent for new user on our dev machine
hi , a new user wants to be able to add sql agent jobs...
SQL Server Enum Implementation: A Single-Row View Strategy for Avoiding Magic Values
Comments posted to this topic are about the item SQL Server Enum Implementation: A...
Question of the Day
BIT_COUNT I
In SQL Server 2025, I have a table (dbo.UserPermission) that contains this data:
UserID UserPermissions 15 23 37What is returned when I run this code:
select bit_count(UserPermissions) as PermissionCount from dbo.UserPermission where UserID = 3;See possible answers