Keep relevant system_health data longer
See two ways you can make the relevant data in the system_health session last longer and not get drowned out by noise.
T-SQL Tuesday #127 : Measure twice, cut once
For this month's T-SQL Tuesday, let's talk about something you're more likely to hear from a carpenter: Measure twice, cut once.
Replace legacy splitting functions with STRING_SPLIT
See how to work around some of the blockers for replacing legacy UDFs with STRING_SPLIT.
SQL Server 2016 SP2 Cumulative Update #13
SQL Server 2016 SP2 Cumulative Update #13 is available, with 29 enhancements. The build number is 13.0.5820.21.
Get to the system_health file target a little easier
Access the system_health file target without tedious string parsing gymnastics.
Index and Partition Space Usage – Part 3
This series shows how I determine the amount of data distributed across indexes, files, filegroups, and partitions.
Heaps, LOBs, and aggregates : A bad combination
Dig into an intermittent stack dump involving an aggregate query against a heap with a LOB column.
SQL Server Cumulative Updates Delayed
Cumulative Updates for SQL Server 2019, SQL Server 2017, and SQL Server 2016 SP2 have been pushed back a month or more due to our current health crisis.
Bad Habits to Kick : Relying on undocumented behavior
Discover some undocumented or unsupported behavior you might not even realize you're relying on.
Bad Habits and Best Practices
An index of over a decade's worth of posts and videos involving bad habits and best practices in SQL Server.
Happy Cinco de Mayo and Happy Taco Tuesday!
See a quick T-SQL script for determining how often Cinco de Mayo falls on Taco Tuesday.
Index and Partition Space Usage – Part 2
I continue a series where I dig into how data is distributed across indexes, files, and filegroups.
"0 to 60" : Switching to indirect checkpoints
I talk about a recent change where I started turning on indirect checkpoints across all user databases.
Removing the default trace – Part 3
I finish up my series on replacing the default trace with views to simplify consumption and a caveat about reports in SSMS.
SQL Server 2017 Cumulative Update #20
SQL Server 2017 Cumulative Update #20 is available, with 40 enhancements. The build number is 14.0.3294.2.
File and Filegroup Space Usage – Part 1
See the stored procedure I wrote to help me put all file, filegroup, and index information in one place.
Removing the default trace – Part 2
I continue my series on replacing the default trace with a more efficient and more complete Extended Events session.
SQL Server 2019 Cumulative Update #4
SQL Server 2019 Cumulative Update #4 is available, with 50 enhancements. The build number is 15.0.4033.1.
Blogging is for more than just traffic
See how blogging can benefit both the author and the reader in this short opinion piece.
A minor office reorg – part 3
Phase 3 of my home office – doors! – couldn't have happened at a better time.
Please help with STRING_SPLIT improvements
I want to push for improvements to STRING_SPLIT in the next version of SQL Server. See how you can help!