Blogs

Do Index Changes Remove Execution Plans from Cache?

By Kendra Little on August 9, 2017 • 3 min read

When you modify the indexes on a table, SQL Server needs to reconsider how it executes queries that reference that table. But the way this appears when you’re looking at your execution plan cache is far from obvious:

Impacted query plans are NOT removed from cache at the time you change an index. The next time the query is executed, it will be recompiled, and the new plan and related execution information will be placed in cache.
This is true whether or not the index is used by the query.
Even if the index is on columns in the table which are not referenced by the query, the query will recompile on the next run.

To see this in action, you can play along with this sample script.

The Story of an Interview Flop

on August 8, 2017 • 11 min read

Category: tsql-programming

Tags: dear-sql-dba

Some of the biggest lessons I’ve learned about interviewing come from an interview experience that meant a ton to me – and all my dreams came crashing down.

Running SQL Server in a Docker Container on a Mac

By Kendra Little on August 2, 2017 • 2 min read

Category: database-administration , sql-server

Tags: docker , sql-server-linux , mac , setup , installation

A user recently asked me what a good use case might be to run SQL Server on Linux in a Docker container.

TSQL Tuesday #93: Interviewing Patterns & Anti-Patterns

on August 1, 2017 • 2 min read

Category: tsql-programming

Welcome to T-SQL Tuesday for August 2017!

T-SQL Tuesday is a chance for you to join in the SQL Server community and write a blog post on a suggested topic. You can use this as a way to start a new blog, dust off a blog you haven’t used in a while, or make it part of regular blogging: your choice!

I would love for you to participate. The whole SQL Server community would. Please, join us!

The COMPRESS() TSQL Function in SQL Server 2016+

on July 31, 2017 • 4 min read

Category: sql-server

One cool little feature in SQL Server 2016 is COMPRESS(). It’s a TSQL function available in all editions that shrinks down data using the GZIP algorithm (documentation).

Desktop Wallpapers and Webcasts on Isolation Levels and Memory

By Kendra Little on July 28, 2017 • 2 min read

Category: database-administration

Tags: webcasts , wallpapers

I’ve been having lots of fun drawing and doing webcasts this summer. I’ve got four SQL Server themed desktop wallpapers to share, and I’ve got lots more coming– along with a new chunk of free webcasts.

Downloadable SQL Server Desktop Wallpapers

By Kendra Little on July 26, 2017 • 1 min read

Category: database-administration

Tags: wallpapers

I’ve set things up so you can quickly download desktop wallpapers featuring cartoons and SQL Server concepts.

Get ’em here

Grab wallpapers at https://github.com/LitKnd/littlekendracomments/tree/main/SQLWorkbooks-Wallpaper-and-Posters.