Capturing index operations using a DDL trigger
Today on twitter the following question came up on the #sqlhelp hash tag, from DaveH0ward: Is there a DMV that can tell me the last time an index was rebuilt? SQL 2008 My initial...
Monthly Archive: January 2011
How I use PowerShell to collect Performance Counter data
In a current project, I need to collect performance counters from a set of virtual machines that are performing different tasks and running a variety of workloads. In a similar project last year, I...
PowerShell, Start-Job, -ScriptBlock = sad panda face
Experience a DBA's trial and error method of getting some PowerShell automation working.
Greatest Hits : A reflection on my 2010 blog posts
Okay, I'm following the lead of Joe Webb, who recently posted My Most Popular Posts From 2010. I think it can be a very useful exercise to go back and look at what blog...
Avoid External Dependencies in SQL Server Triggers
Tip : Avoid External Dependencies in SQL Server Triggers
Deprecate UPDATE FROM? Not if I can help it!
Fellow MVP Hugo Kornelis (blog) has suggested that the proprietary UPDATE FROM and DELETE FROM syntax, which has worked for several SQL Server versions, should be deprecated in favor of MERGE. Here is the...
Downgrading a database : "You can't get there from here!"
Some details around why you can't restore or attach a database to an older version of SQL Server.
New Cumulative Updates for SQL Server 2008 are available
If you are using SQL Server 2008 SP1 or SP2, the release services team yesterday issued cumulative updates for both branches. (And if you are still on SQL Server 2008 RTM, I can only...
Identify SQL Servers with inefficient power plans using Policy Based Management
Tip : Identify SQL Servers with inefficient power plans using Policy Based Management
A quick note about the end of SQL Server 2005 mainstream support
In a previous blog post about Service Pack 4, I said the following: "…from this point forward all you're likely to see are cumulative updates to the SP3 and SP4 branches and, roughly a...
T-SQL Tuesday #14 : Resolutions
This month, T-SQL Tuesday's topic is Resolutions. I already gave a rough sort of overview on my goals for 2011, but I thought I would be able to dig a little deeper with enough...
SQL Server v.Next (Denali) : Changes to performance counters
In a previous post about changed system objects in Denali, I talked about the changes to memory-related DMVs due to underlying changes in the memory manager. The SQLOS team has posted a great introduction...
The fallacy of preventing plagiarism
If you're not living in a cave, you are probably aware of the blog posts and twitter discussions that resulted from an innocent post by Tom LaRock yesterday. This led to posts by Jonathan...
A better way to search Connect
I recently spotted a comment from Microsoft on a Connect item with 13 total up-votes. The comment went something like, "wow, due to the explosive response to this issue, we're going to deal with...