Blogs

I’ve just added a fresh new course: Indexing for Windowing Functions. Here’s the rundown: Windowing functions give you great flexibility for analyzing data in SQL Server. But how can you get the best performance for your windowing functions? In this 45 minute, demo-packed course, you will learn index design for windowing functions, when batch mode may be important, and how to compare the performance of Window Spool and Window Aggregate operators.

New free webcasts! How keys & includes work, dirty secrets of NOLOCK, and more

in course-announcements

December 6, 2017

As we count down to the end of 2017, I’ve just scheduled a fresh batch of free, live webinars for 2018! Join me on Thursdays at 9 am Pacific / noon Eastern / 4 PM UTC.

Auto-Tuning and the #1 Mindset Problem I Had as a DBA

in sql

December 4, 2017

A few folks have asked: will auto-tuning and adaptive query plans mean the end of performance tuning jobs for SQL Server? In this week’s episode, I talk about why I’m excited about those features rather than afraid of them.

Digging into this problem, I share the #1 mindset problem I had as a DBA, why this mindset is so common among database professionals, and a daily habit that can change your approach to new technology.

In-Memory OLTP and Isolation Levels in SQL Server (Webcast Video with Transcript)

in sql-server-technical-posts

December 1, 2017

I had a great time this week talking about isolation levels with Hekaton – aka In-Memory OLTP – aka Memory Optimized tables. Here’s a video of the recorded webcast.

Where are key columns stored in a nonclustered index in SQL Server?

in index-tuning

November 29, 2017

Last week’s Quizletter featured a quiz on keys vs included columns in SQL Server. I got a great question from a reader:

What do you consider a good reference and/or description of indexes for SQL Server? For example where would you have documentation that explains how the answer to #1 is right?

Slowing Down Your Motor Mouth - Presentation Tips for Fast Talkers

in sql

November 20, 2017

Are you worried that you talk too fast when you give a speech, talk, or presentation?

In this episode, I give you simple, practical tips that I’ve used to successfully improve the way I give presentations. Four years ago, I got frustrated feedback from listeners who had a hard time keeping up with my mouth; now I get congratulations that the pace was great.

Attempting to Force a Narrow Plan on an Update with Query Store

in query-store

November 15, 2017

When you force a plan with Query Store, you may not get what you expect. Here’s an example.

Kalen Delaney and Inspiration for Adventure

in sql

November 14, 2017

This post is part of TSQL Tuesday, a monthly blog party. You’re welcome to join in this party: if you’d like email notifications of future topics, here’s how to set them up.

This month’s topic is “Folks Who Have Made a Difference”, by Ewald Cress.

The Case of the Weirdly Long COLUMNSTORE_BUILD_THROTTLE Wait

in columnstore-indexes

November 9, 2017

A funny thing happened on the way to my filtered nonclustered columnstore demo recently…

It was taking forever to create my demo index.

Things I Learned from Speaker Idol 2017 at the SQL PASS Summit

in sql

November 9, 2017

I was lucky enough to serve as a judge for the Speaker Idol competition at the SQL PASS Summit conference this year. One of the great thing about watching presentations and giving feedback on them is that you learn a lot about speaking by watching sessions and crafting your feedback.