Blogs

Index design guide updated: index types, B+ trees, and row locators, oh my

February 23, 2022

We’ve recently updated the SQL Server and Azure SQL index architecture and design guide. This article is an in-depth guide to indexing in databases using the SQL Server engine, including SQL Server, Azure SQL Database, Azure SQL Managed Instance, and Azure Synapse Analytics.

Our recent update adds a table to categorize the types of indexes discussed in the article, clarifies B-trees vs B+ trees, and describes how row locators (aka “secret columns”) are used in nonclustered indexes.

Workers vs. requests in Azure SQL Database

in sql, AzureSQL

January 18, 2022

We now explicitly define ‘requests’ and ‘workers’ in the Azure SQL Database documentation, and we’ve cleaned up multiple places where we used to equate the two terms. In this post, I share the history of the two terms when it comes to Azure SQL Database, why the two were ever equated, and why things like this are tricky to change.

What I learned writing about how to diagnose and troubleshoot high CPU in Azure SQL Database

in [Azure SQL Database]

January 5, 2022

Writing helps me learn. In my job as a Content Developer, this is more true than ever: there’s a fantastic group of folks, both in the Database Docs team and in the Microsoft Data Platform engineering team, who review and contribute to content.

I’ve just had the pleasure of publishing my first new article in the Microsoft Docs, Diagnose and troubleshoot high CPU on Azure SQL Database.

Addressing the Rumors that I Have Been Removed from the MVP Program

in sql, career

November 4, 2021

I’d like to openly and honestly answer the rumors that I have been removed from the Microsoft MVP program.

Gotchas with Deferred Name Resolution in SQL Server: Stored Procedures, Synonyms, Views, and Functions

in DevOps, sql, SQL Server

October 18, 2021

Have you ever tried to create an object in SQL Server, but it failed due to a missing table, column, or other dependency? If so, you’ve hit a case where SQL Server doesn’t offer ‘deferred name resolution’.

Learn Azure SQL with One Free Learning Path

in Azure, AzureSQL

October 14, 2021

Have you been meaning to learn about SQL Server in the Azure cloud, but never seem to get around to it? It’s easy to be overwhelmed and not know where to begin.

I recommend you start with the Azure SQL Fundamentals Learning Path.

I stepped through this training this week and WOW, this is an incredibly high quality free course, complete with hands-on exercises in an online sandbox. I wish I’d done this sooner!

New Tricks I Learned from the Azure Data Studio Code Editor Tutorial

in Azure Data Studio

October 7, 2021

Today I walked through the Use Azure Data Studio to connect and query Azure SQL database Quickstart. This Quickstart is solid and is great for someone new to Azure Data Studio.

At the end of the Quickstart it suggested I try the Tutorial: Use the Transact-SQL editor to create database objects - Azure Data Studio. The tutorial taught me a couple of things that I’ve not noticed about Azure Data Studio, even though I’ve used it for a couple of years.

Trying Out the Azure SQL Database Quickstart

in Azure, AzureSQL

October 4, 2021

I’m working through a series of tutorials and learning paths for Azure SQL and sharing bite-sized reviews.

In this first walkthrough, I’m stepping through the Create a Single Database tutorial.

Tutorial: Create a Disposable SQL Server Database Container in an Azure DevOps Pipeline With Spawn

in devops, containers

July 13, 2021

This post is part of TSQLTuesday #140, “What have you been up to with containers?"

Disposable databases are indispensable for software developers, both for initial development work and in automation pipelines. Containers pair exceptionally well with temporary databases and provide a lightweight mechanism to spin up an environment on demand.

The HBO Max Integration Test Email Means You Should Make Automation Safer-- for Everyone

in devops, sql

June 18, 2021

When I woke up today in the UK, Twitter was alive with jokes, hot takes, and sympathy about an email sent out to millions of folks on a contact list for HBO Max featuring the subject line, “Integration Test Email #1”.

Index design guide updated: index types, B+ trees, and row locators, oh my

Workers vs. requests in Azure SQL Database

What I learned writing about how to diagnose and troubleshoot high CPU in Azure SQL Database

Addressing the Rumors that I Have Been Removed from the MVP Program

Gotchas with Deferred Name Resolution in SQL Server: Stored Procedures, Synonyms, Views, and Functions

Learn Azure SQL with One Free Learning Path

New Tricks I Learned from the Azure Data Studio Code Editor Tutorial

Trying Out the Azure SQL Database Quickstart

Tutorial: Create a Disposable SQL Server Database Container in an Azure DevOps Pipeline With Spawn

The HBO Max Integration Test Email Means You Should Make Automation Safer-- for Everyone

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