Normal Forms
To prevent data change anomalies, a database should be normalized. Did you know that there are 10 normal forms? In this article, Joe Celko reviews normalizing databases including commonly used normal forms.
2020-12-15
SQL
SQL Developer – A great tool and better ways to use it
SQL Developer is a popular free tool for working with Oracle databases. In this article Srinivasan Suresh explains several features of SQL Developer that can make you more productive.
2020-12-11
DBA in training: Backups, SLAs, and restore strategies
There are a handful of options when backing up SQL Server databases. A DBA must understand the differences and come up with a plan that protects the organisation’s data. In this article, Pamela Mooney explains service level agreements, recovery models, and some strategies to ensure that the data can be restored quickly.
2020-12-09
10 DevOps strategies for working with legacy databases
The database is often left behind as organisations embrace DevOps. In this article, Robert Sheldon explains how to successfully bring databases into DevOps, especially when dealing with legacy databases.
2020-12-03
SQL Server Backup Types
One of the most important responsibilities for a DBA is to ensure that a database can be restored in case of corruption, a dropped table, or another disaster. In this article, Greg Larsen explains the different types of backups available with SQL Server.
2020-12-01
Exploring errors to reveal unauthorized information
Database administrators can never stop thinking about security. In this article, Fabiano Amorim shows how data can be revealed through error messages when views are used to secure rows.
2020-11-25
DBA in training: Security
Securing data is not always easy to do, but it should be the top responsibility for database administrators. From protecting the physical servers to preventing copies of backups files from getting into the wrong hands, there is a lot to consider. In this article, Pamela Mooney covers what DBAs need to think about when securing their organisation’s data.
2020-11-19
What is database continuous integration?
Have you ever longed for a way of making the delivery of databases more visible, predictable and measurable? Do you ever wish that they would be of better quality, quicker to change, and cost less? Grant Fritchey explains some of the secrets of doing Continuous Integration for Databases to relieve some of the pain-points of the Database Delivery process.
2020-11-18
How to simulate Case statement in Azure Data Factory (ADF) compared with SSIS?
This post will describe how you use a CASE statement in Azure Data Factory (ADF). If you are coming from SSIS background, you know a piece of SQL statement will do the task. However let's see how do it in SSIS and the very same thing can be achieved in ADF. Problem statement For my […]
2020-11-12
22,483 reads
Storage 101: Monitoring storage metrics
Well tuned storage is essential for SQL Server performance. In this article, Robert Sheldon explains the metrics that are important to watch.
2020-11-10
Blogs
“We love to debate minutiae”
By Brian Kelley
I am guilty as charged. The quote was in reference to how people argue...
Advice I Like: Knots
By Steve Jones
Learn how to tie a bowline knot. Practice in the dark. With one hand....
Shifting Mindsets: Why FinOps is Essential for Cloud Efficiency
By HeyMo0sh
As a DevOps practitioner, I’ve always focused on performance, scalability, and automation. But as...
Forums
Windows logins for users migrated from DomainA to DomainB
Hi, I have a SQL Server instance where users connect to via Windows Authentication,...
Multiple Deployment Processes
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Multiple Deployment Processes
How to Use sqlpackage to Detect Schema Drift Between Azure SQL Databases
Comments posted to this topic are about the item How to Use sqlpackage to...
Question of the Day
Upgrading Admin Queries
I have a query from a former DBA that we run on SQL Server 2025 to check on database metadata. This query references sys.sysaltfiles. I want to refactor this code to be more modern. Which DMV should I reference instead?
See possible answers