SQL Server synonyms can be used to permanently alias database objects in the same or another database. In this article, Greg Larsen demonstrates how to use synonyms and the many reasons to consider using them.… Read more
Business Intelligence Architect, Analysis Services Maestro, and author Bill Pearson kicks off a series to introduce the DAX financial functions. In this article, he exposes five functions that are popular in the calculation of loans and other annuities. Those accustomed to these functions within Excel will find the syntax, uses and operation of the functions familiar within the Power BI environment.… Read more
Azure Data Factory is a cloud based data orchestration tool that many ETL developers began using instead of SSIS. In this article, Rodney Landrum recalls a Data Factory project where he had to depend on another service, Azure Logic Apps, to fill in for some lacking functionality.… Read more
The SQL Server 2016 dynamic data masking feature may seem like a great way to obfuscate data for downstream systems like dev and QA. Joe Obbish shows us that the data can be “unmasked” with T-SQL statements, so it’s not secure against anyone who can write their own queries.… Read more
It doesn’t matter if you become an “accidental DBA” or are actively looking for a database administrator position, you may need to do some research to find the servers now in your care. In this article, Pamela Mooney provides some advice about what to track down first.… Read more
Computed columns may be the cause of hard to track down performance issues. In this article, Robert Sheldon reviews the issues and some ways to get around them.… Read more
Like any technology, AI can be used for evil instead of good. Shree Das explains several examples and what should be done to prevent the misuse of data.… Read more
All queries run fast against columnstore indexes, right? In this article, Edward Pollack demonstrates some query patterns that don’t perform well and how to get around the issues.… Read more
The database recovery model controls how a SQL Server database can be backed up and restored. In this article, Greg Larsen explains the three recovery models and what to think about when choosing a recovery model for a database.… Read more
Getting that first job as a DBA is not easy for most of us. In this article, Pamela Mooney explains what to expect when interviewing and how to prepare.… Read more
Uwe Ricken continues his series on heaps. This time he demonstrates a common scenario where the query against a heap is faster than a clustered index.… Read more
Containers have already transformed the way application development works, but adoption has been slower for databases. Finally, the revolution is beginning. In this post, Kendra Little shares the two ways in which containers will dramatically change the way teams develop and deploy database changes.… Read more
Many people with tech careers did not follow a straight path to get there. In this article, Pamela Mooney gives some advice for those who would like to be a DBA.… Read more
The standard data warehouse design from Kimball with facts and dimensions has been around for almost 25 years. In this article, Vince Iacoboni describes another way to design slowly changing dimensions.… Read more
Temporary tables are used by every DB developer, but they're not likely to be too adventurous with their use, or exploit all their advantages. They can improve your code's performance and maintainability, but can be the source of grief to both developer and DBA if things go wrong and a process grinds away inexorably slowly. We asked Phil for advice, thinking that it would be a simple explanation.… Read more
No discussion about storage is complete without thinking about security of the data. In this article, Robert Sheldon explains what must be considered to protect data in today's world.… Read more
In this article of this series, Edward Pollack demonstrates the maintenance of columnstore indexes. He also takes a look at nonclustered columnstore and memory-optimized columnstore indexes.… Read more
In the second article of this series, Edward Pollack demonstrates some ways to design and populate a columnstore index to get even better performance. … Read more
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