Category: sql-server

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

By Kendra Little on December 4, 2017

Category: query-performance , sql-server

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)

on December 1, 2017

Category: sql-server

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.

Locked Pages, Working Set, and Private Bytes

on October 19, 2017

Category: sql-server

One of the great things about writing presentations is that it spurs you to “clean up” your definitions. When it comes to writing a slide about something, I ask myself, “Do I really know what that is?” I check my assumptions, and clarify how I think about something.

This week I was working with SQL Server memory settings, and I “cleaned up” my understanding of the following definitions.

IO Patterns for Index Seeks: There May be a Lot of Read Ahead Reads

on October 4, 2017

Category: index-tuning , sql-server

I received a question recently asking about disk access patterns for index seeks in SQL Server. The question suggested that index seeks would have a random read pattern.

Is this necessarily the case?

New Free Webcasts for November and December 2017

By Kendra Little on September 28, 2017

Category: database-administration , sql-server

Tags: webcasts , sqlworkbooks

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!

SSMS Shortcuts & Secrets - Live Webcast Edition (video)

on September 11, 2017

Category: ssms , sql-server

Tags: ssms

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.

Shortcut Update: Toggling Intellisense in SSMS

By Kendra Little on September 6, 2017