A common requirement for dealing with large datasets is the ability to split the data into smaller blocks to help improve performance. Performance degradation is evident once the tables reach larger sizes, and therefore, it is sometimes appropriate to b...

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At times we might need to check out all active connections made by all processes to the SQL Server databases. Also some times we might need to check with all active transactions in the SQL Engine. To accomplish the same tasks, we have two system provide...

This post is not a detailed explanation of DBCC Memorystatus for SQL2012,but a quick observation I made recently for the node Process/System counters. This is one area to look at under DBCC Memorystatus output to get a quick snap shot of the current sta...

Some time back at a SQL Server user group in Southampton I was speaking to an MVP called Simon Sabin about creating a user group and asked him for some advice. The advice he gave me was to make sure that I had multiple events organised so that people wo...

Last night I ran into a situation when I started creating a new database using SSMS, it was complaining me ‘Database already exists’. I quickly checked object explorer and was not able to find the database with the same name. I was confused and lost for...

When designing a data warehousing solution, it is typical to allocate certain data transformations to the ETL layer, particularly those that would be easier or more efficient to do outside of the cube.  At the same time – prior to Excel 2013 ...

From time to time, I see the following question posted on various SQL forums asking how we can determine the (available / assigned) amount of memory for an SQL Server instance / machine. As we understand that there is no common script or procedure, whic...

Every year millions of people around the world decide to make new years resolutions. In these resolutions they promise themselves that they will exercise more, study more, stop eating takeaway or chocolate or stop smoking. We’re now more than a...

SQLBits holds a special place for me as it was the first technical conference that I had ever been to. I can safely say that it has massively shaped my career and encouraged me to do more in the community, so thank you Chris! Before we start on the main...