Heaps in SQL Server: Part 2 Optimizing Reads
In the second article of this series, Uwe Ricken discusses ways to affect the performance of queries involving heaps, including the TOP operator, compression, and partitioning.
2020-07-15
Additional Articles
Using SQL Data Compare to Sync Reference Data
Let's say your QA team maintain two similar test databases. They run tests to verify that different versions of the same application still produce the same, correct results. Therefore, any differences in the test data, between the two databases, needs to be corrected before the tests start. This is the sort of task for which SQL Data Compare is ideally suited, and Bob Sheldon explains how it all works.
2020-07-14
Using SQL Server Query Store & Plan Guides to Fix Problem Queries
This webinar will cover how to use SQL Server plan guides and the query store to fix problematic queries and ways to improve query performance.
2020-07-14
Connecting to a SQL Server Docker Container Running in macOS
Since SQL Server is supported in containers, you can now run a SQL Server instance in your macOS without dual-booting or running a virtual machine. In this article of the series, Carlos Robles demonstrates how to connect to the SQL Server once it’s running.
2020-07-13
SQL Prompt Snippets to Drop Columns and Tables and Handle Associated Dependencies
Louis Davidson provides a pair of SQL Prompt snippets that will help you deal with dependencies, whenever you need to drop columns or tables.
2020-07-13
Handling System-named Constraints in SQL Compare
If some of your database constraints have system-generated names, they can cause 'false positives' when comparing schemas and generating build scripts using SQL Compare or SQL Change Automation. Phil Factor explains the difficulties, and the Compare option you need to enable to avoid them.
2020-07-10
Storage 101: Cloud Storage
Throughout this series, Roberts Sheldon has discussed a range of storage-related topics, some of which he mentions only briefly. One of those is cloud storage, which now plays a vital role in today’s data management strategies. Organizations of all types and sizes now employ cloud storage to varying degrees, either to supplement their on-premises systems or to handle the bulk of their data. Because cloud storage has become so pervasive, this article focuses exclusively on that topic, describing what it is, how it works, and its benefits and challenges.
2020-07-10
Using SQL Source Control projects in Azure Data Studio
David Atkinson describes how developers who were previously writing and managing SQL source code in SSMS can make a smooth transition to Azure Data Studio.
2020-07-09
Simple Database Development with SQL Change Automation
SQL Change Automation makes automation simple enough that it can adapt to suit many different approaches to SQL Server database development. Phil Factor describes a project to update the Pubs database, using it in combination with a PowerShell function and to maintain in source control the build scripts, migration scripts and object-level scripts, for every version of the database.
2020-07-08
Using a Public Web Service to Consume SQL Server Build Numbers
Keeping SQL Server instances patched can be a time-consuming task for DBAs. In this article, Alejandro Cobar explains how he created a service in Azure that anyone can use to retrieve the build information for SQL Server.
2020-07-08
Blogs
Are you getting value from your reporting?
By ChrisJenkins
Do you spend so long manipulating your data into something vaguely useful that you...
The Book of Redgate: SQL Server Central
By Steve Jones
It was neat to stumble on this in the book, a piece by me,...
Git forked
Forgive me for the title. Mentally I’m 12. When I started my current day...
Forums
Microsoft Security Changes and SQL Server
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Microsoft Security Changes and SQL...
Expanding into Print
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Expanding into Print
Downtime Caused by the Postgres Transaction ID Wraparound Problem
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Downtime Caused by the Postgres...
Question of the Day
The String Distance I
In SQL Server 2025, what is returned by this code:
SELECT EDIT_DISTANCE('Steve', 'Stan')
Assume preview features are enabled. See possible answers