Practical tips to reduce SQL Server database table size, from my friend and SQL Server expert Sergey, for faster queries and smaller storage.
SQL SERVER – Installing and Getting Started With Semantic Search
To use semantic search you need Full-Text and Semantic Extractions for Search installed. Here is how to check the install and get started with semantic search.
SQL SERVER – Availability Group and the Six Critical Steps for DBAs to Follow – Notes from the Field #104
Mike Lawell shares six critical steps every DBA should follow when asked to implement an AlwaysOn Availability Group. Notes from the Field #104.
SQL SERVER – What Resource Wait Are We Seeing?
A reader saw many PAGELATCH waits on 2:1:3 and 2:1:1 in Activity Monitor. I explain how to tell which resource wait you are seeing and what these pages are.
Linked Server to PostgreSQL: Set It Up From SQL Server 2025
A linked server to PostgreSQL lets SQL Server read PostgreSQL tables through an ODBC driver. This post tests the PostgreSQL side on PostgreSQL 18.6, runs the SQL Server steps up to the missing driver, and shows the real error messages.
SQL SERVER – New features in SQL Server 2016 Setup Wizard
Microsoft listened to feedback, and the SQL Server 2016 Setup Wizard shows it. Here are the new options I noticed, such as Perform Volume Maintenance Task.
SQL SERVER – Inserting into ColumnSet with SPARSE Columns
A friend had a table with 1000s of SPARSE columns and asked about inserting into ColumnSet directly. Yes, you can. Here is how it works.