Blogs

The Case of the Blocking Online Index Create- the Shared Lock that Would Not Quit

The Case of the Blocking Online Index Create- the Shared Lock that Would Not Quit

on March 28, 2017 • 4 min read

I recently got an interesting question from a reader about running a CREATE INDEX statement with DROP_EXISTING

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New weekly newsletter: a SQL Server quiz, poll or cartoon each week

New weekly newsletter: a SQL Server quiz, poll or cartoon each week

on March 27, 2017 • 1 min read

I’ve started up a weekly newsletter! Sign up, and each Tuesday you’ll get a link to a quick SQL Server quiz or poll in your inbox. Most weeks there will be a cartoon thrown in there, too.

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New Freebie Course: SSMS Shortcuts & Secrets

New Freebie Course: SSMS Shortcuts & Secrets

on March 23, 2017 • 2 min read

SQL Server Management Studio is so full of tiny buttons and options that it can be easy to miss out on secrets that could make your life easier and more fun.

I’ve got a new online course that shows you my favorite secret tricks and goodies in SSMS!.

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When SQL Server Does NOT Use Write Ahead Logging (Dear SQL DBA Episode 35)

When SQL Server Does NOT Use Write Ahead Logging (Dear SQL DBA Episode 35)

on March 23, 2017 • 1 min read

A few episodes ago, I talked about how learning about Write Ahead Logging was a light bulb moment for me, and helped me learn tons of concepts about backups and recovery.

This week, we talk about when SQL Server turns things upside down and doesn’t use write ahead logging: and what it has to do for recovery in these special cases.

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Columnstore Index Returns Zero Rows... Which is One Row

Columnstore Index Returns Zero Rows... Which is One Row

By Kendra Little on March 21, 2017 • 3 min read

I’ve never claimed to be great at math, but until recently I thought I knew how to count to one. Zero… one. That’s what we learned in kindergarten.

Apparently SQL Server didn’t go to kindergarten.

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Time for an Interview: What accomplishment are YOU most proud of?

Time for an Interview: What accomplishment are YOU most proud of?

on March 20, 2017 • 2 min read

Last week I answered a set of fun interview questions from Mohammad Darab. One question that he asked really jumped out at me:

What are you most proud of doing/accomplishing for the SQL Server community so far in your career?

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Using a Tail Log Backup in a SQL Server Migration (Dear SQL DBA Episode 34)

Using a Tail Log Backup in a SQL Server Migration (Dear SQL DBA Episode 34)

on March 16, 2017 • 1 min read

When you migrate a database, it can be useful to prove that you moved all the data and didn’t miss any transactions. Learn how to use a tail log backup in a migration scenario.

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