Database Offline – Redux
A database can be offline at the time that you take over responsibility of the database. You will be asked when it was taken offline. This script will help...
The...
2019-04-15
Database Administration
What the heck is downtime, anyway?
There’s a lot of discussion about preventing downtime. As a DBA and IT professional, it’s my sworn duty to prevent downtime. I usually describe my job as DBA something...
2019-04-15
How do I let someone execute a SQL Agent job they don’t own?
In my last post I discussed the fact that SQL Ids can, in fact, be useful on an instance that ... Continue reading
The post How do I let someone...
2019-04-15
SET IMPLICIT_TRANSACTIONS ON Is One Hell of a Bad Idea
By default, when you run a query in SQL Server, your delete/update/insert (DUI) is finished as soon as your query finishes. That’s because the default behavior of SQL Server is IMPLICIT_TRANSACTIONS OFF – meaning, SQL Server doesn’t hold your queries open waiting for a COMMIT or ROLLBACK.
2018-03-14
3,761 reads
Changing Data Types on Large Tables: The INT to BIGINT Conundrum
Changing a data type seems like a simple task unless the table is quite large and downtime must be kept to a minimum. Danny Kruge walks you through the process he created to change an INT to a BIGINT in a large table.
2018-03-13
10,620 reads
How to Suck at Database Administration
Tara Kizer outlines 15 telltale signs that you aren't a very good senior DBA.
2018-02-26
5,733 reads
Are you bad enough to join the DBA Team
If you've ever had a terrible day, send in your story and Grant and Steve will pick their favorite to be spiced up DBA-Team-style. The winner will also be given a ticket to SQL Cruise 2015. Find out how to enter.
2014-09-10
1,391 reads
Blogs
Index Maintenance Can Change NORECOMPUTE Settings
By Steve Jones
I had a customer recently ask about a change in one of their constraints...
So You Think You Should Get a Radio
This is not database related, so if you’re not interested in hearing about something...
Speaking at SQL Saturday Austin 2025
By Steve Jones
SQL Saturday Austin 2025 is in just a few days. I am honored to...
Forums
fetch an execution plan from SQL Server's buffer cache
Comments posted to this topic are about the item fetch an execution plan from...
A way for the team to keep track of changes made
Is there a best practice way for the team to keep track of changes...
SQL Query Performance with Left Join
I have a query that is performing poorly It has a left join to...
Question of the Day
The Long Running Backup
I have a long running backup of the Sales database during a maintenance window that is going to take another 2 hours to complete on SQL Server 2022. I also need to perform some proactive work and add another file (ndf) to the Sales database to handle the expected growth of the next month. Can I do both simultaneously?
See possible answers