Too often, the batch systems that underlie a lot of database processing just grow without conscious design. When runs start to extend beyond their allotted time, and tuning no longer solves the problem, it is often discovered that batches are run in series, with draconian error handling. It is time to impose some rational design, and Nigel is a seasoned healer of batch processes.
A short SQL Spackle article to fill in your knowledge of SQL Server. In this one, Jason Brimhall shows how to export execution plans when you ask for query tuning help.
SQLSaturday BI & Big Data Edition is a free training event for everyone interested in learning about Business Intelligence & Big Data with a focus in the Microsoft SQL Server platform. This event will be held November 9th, 2013. In addition to our Saturday free event, we will also host four paid full day pre-conferences.
Will we see a low-cost SQL Server knock-off at some point? Steve Jones thinks it could happen as the RDBMS becomes a commodity product.
I'm using SQL Server's built-in encryption to hide data in one of my SQL Server databases, but this is a reporting system and my end users need to be able to query the data without having to remember the specialized decryption functions. Is there a way to do this? Yes, there is, via the use of views.
What often starts out as a simple, quick process, gradually expands over time, as developers use SQL Agent to schedule new data feeds, add more complex transformations...
Today we have a guest editorial from Andy Warren as Steve is speaking at SQL Intersection today. Andy talks about how names can impact our world.
SQL Saturday is a training event for SQL Server professionals and those wanting to learn about SQL Server. This event will be held Nov 9 2013, admittance to this event is free, all costs are covered by donations and sponsorships.
SSIS is able to take sorted data from more than one OLE DB data source and merge them into one table which can then be sent to an OLE DB destination. This 'Merge Join' transformation works in a similar way to a SQL join by specifying a 'join key' relationship. this transformation can save a great deal of processing on the destination. Annette Allen, as usual, gives clear guidance on how to do it.
How much does the image you project at work matter? Is it more important than the work you do? Steve Jones asks for your opinions for this Friday poll.
By Steve Jones
While wandering around the documentation looking for some Question of the Day topics, I...
By Arun Sirpal
Third part in my Ai series with databases. When building AI solutions within the...
By Steve Jones
This month we have a very interesting invitation from Koen Verbeeck. He has hosted...
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As of June 2026, what is the best version of TLS to use with SQL Server?
See possible answers