Small Data
With all the talk about Big Data recently, Steve Jones looks at some of the issues with Big Data and how small data might be more important to you.
Managing Slowly Changing Dimension with Slow Changing Transformation in SSIS
The easiest ways to maintain and manage slowly changing dimensions is using Slowly Changing Dimension Transformation in the data flow task of SSIS packages.
Microsoft Research
Research in industry can help a company leap ahead of it's peers. Steve Jones thinks this is a good idea for many companies to engage in and highlights some of the great work being done at Microsoft Research.
The State of the Cloud
The state of cloud computing is confusing and unstable. Steve Jones has a few thoughts about the good and bad things in this industry.
Introduction to SQL Server Filtered Indexes
SQL Server filtered indexes can save space and improve performance if they are used properly. Under what circumstances can they be used? When are they most effective, and what sort of performance gain or space-saving is likely? How does a filtered index affect the choice of execution plan? Seth Delconte explores these questions with practical experiments.
Dynamic ETL with SSIS
Learn how to dynamically load data from ETL load files using SSIS as a shell. The code downloads files from FTP, parses them and loads them into the database.
The Security of You
There is a lot of data out there that is specific to an individual, none more important perhaps than biometric data. Steve Jones writes a bit about the security implications involved in working with this data. (This editorial was originally published on Nov 10, 2008. It is being re-run as Steve is at SQL Bits.)
Monitor SQL Instance Balance across Windows Cluster Nodes Using PowerShell
This tip will demonstrate how to monitor SQL Failover Cluster Instances if they become unbalanced using Windows PowerShell.
Managing Your IT Data
A new application manages data from your IT machines and software, but doesn't use a database. Steve Jones talks a little about this. (This editorial was originally published on Jan 20, 2009. It is being re-run as Steve is at SQL Bits.)
Developing a Report Definition Customization Extension for Multi-Language Reports
When you need to present the same SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS) report in eight or more different languages, or in different formats for different recipients, and the boss demands last-minute changes, it suddenly makes sense to use the Report Definition Customisation Extension (RDCE) .NET class library to create the final reports automatically. But how?
Blogs
Moving On-Prem PostgreSQL to the Cloud: Picking the Right Path for Big Tables
Every PostgreSQL migration eventually hits the same fork in the road. The database is...
A Spread of Vacation
By Steve Jones
I’m off on vacation today. Which is a little weird as I just got...
How AgentDBA Identifies Backup Failures
By Arun Sirpal
Every DBA has a box like this. Sitting untouched for months. Nobody’s proud of...
Forums
Have you done a Mid year check in?
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From SQL Server On-Premises to Claude Desktop: How I built a Full MCP Pipeline
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Independence Day 2026
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Question of the Day
Independence Day 2026
In the original Independence Day movie (1996), what type of computer did Jeff Goldblum use to connect to the alien mainframe? Take a guess, don't look it up or ask AI.
See possible answers