Power BI can read SQL Server through Import or DirectQuery; stable views, folding, and workload checks keep the database responsive.
Pre-Aggregating Data for Fast Dashboards
Pre-aggregating data can make dashboards fast through summary tables or indexed views when grain, refresh, and reader consistency are clear.
SQL SERVER – Interesting Observation – TOP 100 PERCENT and ORDER BY
ORDER BY in a view raises Msg 1033 unless TOP is used, so many developers add TOP 100 PERCENT. An interesting observation on what that really does.
SQL SERVER – Interesting Observation – Execution Plan and Results of Aggregate Concatenation Queries
Reader Bob explains why aggregate concatenation results depend on expression location, using an ANSI point of view, and shares a similar example to run.
Giving Web Developers Safe Database Access
Give web developers safe database access with narrow roles and views, a reporting replica where useful, and audit that identifies real changes.
SQL SERVER – Outer Join in Indexed View – Question to Readers
Why can’t you use an outer join in indexed view definitions? The SQL Server 2008 white paper answer, plus my question to you: can you show an example?







