Since my consulting have started around performance tuning, I am able to see a number of customers who want to start using the new capabilities of SQL Server for their existing application as they plan to do an upgrade of their infrastructure. In one of engagement with a bank, who was upgrading their SQL Server 2012 to SQL Server 2016, they were interested in knowing how some of the new InMemory or even usage of ColumnStore Indexes can be used. It was an interesting conversation that started which I am using as a blog here.
SQL SERVER – Performance Choice – Coding or Automation
We talk a lot about optimizing SQL with building the most efficient queries and application architectures. It’s what we enjoy doing and what we’re paid to do. We love to twiddle bits and tweak code, and can spend day after day doing this. But are we looking at the big picture? Is what we are working on the highest priority for the business or organization we work for? Are we extending our value beyond just implementing and optimizing SQL databases and applications? Can we deliver value that has a return on investment (ROI) to organizations? That ROI can be in terms of making people more productive, saving infrastructure costs, and even making trade-offs for when we should code and when we should automate. This even applies to when to use consultants like me. Can an hour of consultation with me save days or weeks of research and trial-and-error in addressing a major performance roadblock?
SQL SERVER – Rule Windows Server 2003 FILESTREAM Hotfix Check failed on Windows 2012 R2 Cluster
For my upcoming training, I was trying to deploy SQL Server 2008 R2 Cluster in my client’s lab machines. I encountered a strange error and I was clueless. Let us learn about Rule Windows Server 2003 FILESTREAM Hotfix Check failed on Windows 2012 R2 Cluster.
How to Introduce Time Delay Between Two T-SQL Commands? – Interview Question of the Week #091
Question: How to Introduce Time Delay Between Two TSQL Commands?
PowerShell – Create a User with Read Rights on a Database
I have written a number of PowerShell script in the blog and they have been used by many. Most of these scripts are there because someone wanted something different and I got about creating something simple. After I create something for a given use case, I tend to share it in the blog so that people can start using the same.
SQL SERVER – Simple Example of BCP Command Line Utility
I was recently asked if I know the fastest way to export data from SQL Server table. This was very interesting question personally, as I have not run any such tests in the past. However, everytime when I had to export data, I have used in past BCP command line utility and I have found it does a pretty good job.
SQL SERVER – SSMS Trick – Switching Columns in Grid Output
Yesterday when I wrote about what I learnt from Vinod’s session at the SQL Server User Group meeting, one of my friends wrote back asking what else was discussed. Though I knew some of the tips and tricks he showed as part of the sessions, there were few that stuck in my mind. His session around security and how some of the fundamentals were shaken was worth every minute. In this blog we will discuss about how we can switch column in grid output.