Dear SQL DBA: How Do I Prepare for Certification Exams? (video)
In this episode, I talk about how to strategize for and prepare for Microsoft Certification exams, using the Database Fundamentals exam as an example.
Query Store Cleanup Can be Part of a Blocking Chain
Forgetfulness can lead to learning something new. This is a bit of a nightmare when it happens in production, but a treat when it happens in an isolated test system– and that’s how I learned this.
I left a bit of blocking open on my test VM, and forgot about it.
Dear SQL DBA Q&A: A Poorly Indexed ISV Database
At a recent conference, two speakers reminded me of something important: when you put effort into learning something or helping folks, don’t simply put your words in private emails or post-it notes on your desk. Whenever possible, blog it as well. It can help other people, and it can also help you remember it in the future!
A Case of Inconsistent Wait Stats and Query Duration
You know how they say “don’t sweat the small stuff”?
That’s good advice for lots of things, but when it comes to query tuning - I WANT TO KNOW MORE when something is inconsistent. I just can’t let it go. I go total X-Files: The Truth Is Out There.
Free Webcast: DBA vs Memory Settings
Join me in two weeks for a really fun free webcast.
Register for My Free Session on Execution Plan Forcing
I am excited to be giving a free online session as part of the Idera Live Virtual Conference, 2018!
Dear SQL DBA: I Want to Work for Myself (video with captions and transcript)
Our question this week comes from an IT pro who would like to be self-employed. In this episode, I talk about three big things you need to think about to start working for yourself, and two possible paths to get there.
Adaptive Queries in Standard Edition: Interleaved Exec for Multi-Statement TVFs
It’s tough to keep track of which features work in each version of SQL Server, and which Editions support them.
My memory told me that the new Adaptive Joins feature in SQL Server 2017 was Enterprise Edition only… and that’s correct, but I didn’t realize that the fancy new feature to make Multi-Statement TVFs smarter has much wider licensing.
Remembering Robert Davis, aka @SQLSoldier
I woke up early on Tuesday with a hundred things to do and plenty of energy to match my task list. By noon, I’d made a loaf of bread, helped a friend solve a tech mystery, and had various professional adventures. Then I opened Twitter and saw the news that Robert Davis passed away. I haven’t really gotten much done in the hours since, except think about Robert. And cry a bit.
Sys.dm_db_tuning_recommendations Makes Suggestions if Automatic Tuning is Not Enabled
I naturally think about the new sys.dm_db_tuning_recommendations DMV when I’m working with the new Automatic Tuning feature in SQL Server 2017.
But I came across a post by Grant Fritchey recently, in which he remarked in the conclusion…