Blogs

New Free Webcasts for November and December 2017

September 28, 2017

I’ve just scheduled a whole batch o' free webcasts! Webcasts are held on Thursdays at 9 AM Pacific / noon Eastern / 4 pm UTC. Here’s the upcoming slate of topics: Oct 5 – RCSI and Snapshot Isolation Oct 19 – Pressure Testing Memory Oct 26 – What’s REALLY in That Index? Nov 9 – Filtered Columnstore Indexes Nov 16 – Defragging: Reorg or Rebuild? Nov 30 – In-Memory Indexes & Isolation Dec 7 – Indexing for Windowing Functions Dec 14 – Serializable & Repeatable Read I can’t wait to put together these presentations, and I hope to see you on Thursdays!

How Do I Analyze a SQL Server Execution Plan?

in sql

September 22, 2017

A query is slow, and you figure out how to collect the query execution plan. Now what?

In this video, I talk “big picture” about what execution plans are, what “cost” is, why to collect “compiled for” values, and the steps I take to analyze execution plans while performance tuning queries.

The Case of the Rowgroup Deadlock in a Columnstore Index

in blocking, columnstore-indexes, deadlocks, locking

September 21, 2017

I came across a fun deadlock when writing demos for my session on the Read Committed isolation level this week. (It’s OK to call it “fun” when it’s not production code, right?)

I was playing around with a nonclustered columnstore index on a disk-based table. Here’s what I was doing:

Do I Need to Master PowerShell?

in sql

September 12, 2017

As a SQL Server DBA, do you need to be a master of PowerShell scripts?

In this 9 minute episode, I talk about how much you need to know about PowerShell, and examples of ways I personally use (and struggle with) PowerShell.

SSMS Shortcuts & Secrets - Live Webcast Edition (video)

in sql-server-technical-posts, ssms

September 11, 2017

Last week, I had a great time giving a webcast for the terrific DBA Fundamentals Virtual Chapter. If you like free online training, check them out and sign up for future events.

SQL PASS Summit 2017: Tips on Attending

in sql

September 7, 2017

I’ll be attending and presenting at the SQL PASS Summit in Seattle Washington this year from Oct 31-Nov 3. In this week’s 19 minute episode, I share why I’m excited about going and why I’ve purchased a seat for a pre-conference session. I also give my tips on how to get the most value out of a big conference like the PASS Summit.

Shortcut Update: Toggling Intellisense in SSMS

September 6, 2017

I like to use the keyboard whenever I can in SQL Server Management Studio. It’s not always easy to remember every shortcut though– especially when those shortcuts change!

Since around the SQL Server 2012 era, you’ve been able to switch Intellisense on or off on SSMS with the shortcut chord: CTRL + Q, CTRL + I. I remembered this as “Control Quacky Intellisense.”

How Do You Stay Motivated? (Dear SQL DBA Episode 47)

in sql

September 1, 2017

Over the years, readers have asked me: “How do you stay motivated?” Sticking with a learning plan, blogging, or becoming a public speaker isn’t easy.

In this 15 minute episode, I share how I think about motivation and what keeps me going.

Why Did My Clever Index Change Backfire? (free video)

in execution-plans, index-tuning

August 30, 2017

I had a great time giving a session recently for the 24 Hours of PASS - Summit Preview Edition.

You faked your resume... now what? (video with transcript)

in sql

August 25, 2017

This week’s question from a reader: “How do I deal with interview questions asking about real-world scenarios when I’ve faked three years of experience on my resume?”

Hear my answer in this 14 minute video.