The Sins of SELECT * (BP005)

If Prompt warns you of use of the asterisk, or 'star' (*), in SELECT statements, consider replacing it with an explicit column list. It will prevent unnecessary network load and query performance problems, and avoid problems if the column order changes, when inserting into a table. Read more

SQL Clone for Unit Testing Databases

Phil Factor demonstrates how to use SQL Clone to create 'disposable' SQL Server databases, for development and testing work. You can spin up a clone, use it to unit test your code, messing up the clone in the process, then reset the clone in seconds, ready for the next test. Read more

Monitoring your servers and databases with SCOM and SQL Monitor

SCOM is good at monitoring the status of your servers. SQL Monitor give you a detailed view of your SQL Server instances, and databases, right across your network, however they are hosted. By using tools appropriately, for the tasks they do well, you benefit from a simpler and more comprehensive overall strategy. Read more

Azure SQL Elastic Pools and Redgate Monitor

This article explains the Azure-tailored metrics and alerts in SQL Monitor that track use of the limited compute resources available to an Azure SQL Elastic Pool, and to each of the databases in it. Read more

Reporting on the Status of Clones During Database Development

Phil Factor uses SQL Clone, PowerShell and Visio to build a live 'clone network' diagram showing when there was last activity on each clone, and the number of object changes made to each one, alongside useful metadata such as the clone and image sizes, who created them and when. Read more

Refactoring a Batch or Object with SQL Prompt

Louis Davidson reveals some useful Prompt features for refactoring individual code blocks or modules during development, which will improve code quality, reduce tedium, make testing simpler, or sometimes all three. Read more

Tracking the number of active sessions on a database using SQL Monitor

Phil Factor creates a simple custom metric to track the number of sessions that have recently done a read or write on a database. Having established a baseline for the metric, you'll be able to spot, and investigate the cause of, any wild deviations from normal behavior. Read more

Checking on Failed Server Logins, Server Errors and Warnings using SQL Monitor

Provides a PowerShell monitoring script for errors, warnings and critical events on the Windows server hosting your SQL Server instance, including the failed server login attempts that would accompany a brute-force password attack. Read more

Monitoring SQL Server Performance: What’s Required?

A monitoring tool must provide us with an understanding of the often-complex performance patterns that databases exhibit when under load, so that we can predict how they will cope with expansion or increase in scale. It must also helps us spot the symptoms of stress and act before they become problems that affect the service, and understand better what was happening within a database when an intermittent problem started. Read more

Safely Deleting Clones and Images during Database Development and Testing

Whenever you’re ready to refresh a test cell with the latest database version, you need a safe way to drop the current set of clones, and the parent image, without losing any unsaved work. Phil Factor provides a PowerShell script that automates this process so it runs in the time it takes to grab a coffee, after which can quickly deploy the new clones. Read more

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