What is Third Normal Form and what is its advantage? I ask this in every interview I take. Here are the rules of 3NF and its cost in performance.
SQL SERVER – Upgrade Advise – From 2000 to 2005 or 2008
Should you upgrade from 2000 to 2005 or 2008? My advice: move to SQL Server 2005 with Service Pack 2 now, as SQL Server 2008 needs time to settle.
SQL SERVER – Sharpen Your Skills: Joins, Groupings, and Data Types
My article in SQL Server Magazine November 2007, Sharpen Your Skills, covered joins, groupings and data types. The article has moved, so the links are off.
Onboarding a New DBA
Onboarding a new DBA starts with safe access, a server map, tested runbooks, and a first month of supervised operational tasks.
SQL SERVER – Generate Script with Data from Database – Database Publishing Wizard
Need to copy data along with the schema? The Database Publishing Wizard scripts schema, data or both into one SQL file you can run on another server.
Comparing Server Settings Across Instances
Comparing server settings across SQL Server instances shows configured and live values, so you can judge which differences affect a workload.
Configuration Drift Between Servers
Find configuration drift between SQL Server instances, establish a baseline, and separate approved exceptions from settings that need repair.