2020-02-22
106 reads
editorial
Towards an efficient interface between application and database
As JSON documents becomes increasingly widely used, as the interface between application and database, Phil Factor reckons it's about time JSON Schema was built-in to SQL Server, alongside XML Schema.
2020-01-25
308 reads
On Looking and Acting the Part
Phil Factor's offers tips for longevity in the world of IT consultancy: listen well, humiliate no-one and convince others that it was their expertise that solved the problem.
2024-12-27 (first published: 2020-01-18)
436 reads
The harsh reality of charitable IT work
At work in IT, we can wander around looking important with no apparent useful skills whatsoever. When working outside the bubble of the industry, things are different.
2019-12-14
271 reads
Human frailty and the custodianship of data
Until you open the box your data is, like Schrödinger's cat, both safe and breached.
2019-11-16
147 reads
Protecting Data from the Inside
Phil Factor on the difficult task of guarding against the theft of data from within an organization.
2019-10-19
207 reads
Soft Skills: Controlling your career
Technical skills come and go while soft skills will serve you throughout your life. They will have the greatest influence over your career, job and role. For some people soft skills come naturally. As an Aspergers person (Aspie) I have to practice my soft skills at every opportunity. Pure techies need not lose hope. Soft […]
2021-04-23 (first published: 2019-09-19)
6,619 reads
The Sequel to SQL
Phil Factor tacks a few new buzzwords onto his CV and looks forward to joining the new wave of "digital innovators".
2019-08-10
700 reads
Over-thinking Database Build Scripts
With SQL Server we tend to build databases, when necessary, from one or more build scripts. If making changes to existing versions of the database, we then script the required changes. Usually, a synchronization tool will create a script that can be tweaked to work; although occasionally it will require something more complicated, as when […]
2019-06-29
341 reads
Databases made for Ops, not 'Oops!'
Just as you write a unit test before writing the code, so you must devise the means to monitor a database, to ensure its smooth operation, before creating the database.
2019-06-01
220 reads
Blogs
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
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If you've been here before, you know this blog is usually about SQL Server,...
Designing a Storage Load Test for SQL Server
I’ve been doing storage load tests for SQL Server for a long time, both...
Forums
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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?
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