Dynamic Data Masking is a new security feature introduced in SQL Server 2016 that limits the access of unauthorized users to sensitive data at the database layer. As an example of the need for such a feature is allowing the applications developers to access production data for troubleshooting purposes and preventing them from accessing the […]
Microsoft SQL Server 2016 introduces several significant new features, and enhances some existing ones in reporting services. We have summarised these new features in the previous article. We’ve also explored how to configure the SQL Server Mobile reports in my earlier article.
SQL Server 2016 came with many new features and enhancements for existing ones, that concentrate on the aspect of SQL Server security. One of the new security features introduced in SQL Server 2016 is Row-Level Security. This feature allows us to control access deeply into the rows level in the database table, based on the […]
Introduction Even if you are a SQL veteran, actually especially if you are, you sometimes get really stuck doing something in the old way not realizing that in newer versions of SQL Server some handy functions have been added that can make your life easier. In this article, I will mention a couple of these […]
SQL Server 2016 introduces a new type of table that is designed to keep the full history of data changes, where row validity is managed by the system. This new table type is called a System-Versioned Temporal Table. In earlier SQL Server versions, user tables would enable you to hold only the most recent copy […]
In this article, we will show how to create a simple SQL Server Reporting Services report from a SSAS Tabular model database as a data source, using DAX query, and then deploy it.
When a new row is inserted or an existing one is updated in your database, the SQL Server Database Engine will keep that change in the buffer pool in the memory first, without applying each change directly to the database files for IO performance reasons. These data pages located in the buffer pool and not […]
Introduction The xp_cmdshell is a very powerful extended procedure used to run the command line (cmd). This is very useful to run tasks in the operative system like copying files, create folders, share folders, etc. using T-SQL. In this new article, we will show some useful examples about how to use it.
SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS) is part of Microsoft SQL Server services since version 2000. If you are an ordinary user with a basic knowledge of SQL, this article will help you in creating your first SSRS report.
Introduction A few weeks back, I was approached by a client who lives in Cape Town, South Africa. The data that he wanted to insert into Master data services was far from clean and he was wondering if there was any way have a positive influence on the data quality.
SQL Server 2008 introduces a new column attribute that is used to reduce the storage consumed by NULL values in the database tables. This feature is known as Sparse Columns. Sparse Columns work effectively in the case of the columns with high proportion of NULL values, as SQL Server will not consume any space storing […]
Introduction If you are reading this I am sure you already know what a deadlock is, but just in case you are new to SQL, a deadlock is when 2 queries are blocking each other in such a way that neither of the two can be completed.
SQL Server Trace Flags are special switches that are used to customize and control specific behaviors of the SQL Server Engine. Trace Flags can be defined in two forms; Session Trace Flags that are activated and visible at the current connection level only, and Global Trace Flags that are enabled and visible at the SQL […]
Introduction There are several options to upload SQL Server backups files, scripts or other files to Azure. In this new article, we will show how to use a new tool, Microsoft Azure Storage Explorer (MASE).
With all of the high-availability (HA) and disaster recovery (DR) features, the database administrator must understand how much data loss and downtime is possible under the worst case scenarios. Data loss affects your ability to meet recovery point objectives (RPO) and downtime affects your recovery time objectives (RTO). When using Availability Groups (AGs), your RTO […]
One of the exciting things to look out for in a release of SQL Server are the new built-in T-SQL functions that are usually introduced. Some of the reasons for the new functions may be because SQL Server is catching up to other competitors, attempting to stay ahead of the competition or simply responding to […]
I attended a TDWI conference in May 2016 in Chicago. Here I got a hint about the datatype hierarchyid in SQL Server which could optimize and eliminate the good old parent/child hierarchy.
Introduction A few months back I had been working on an interesting proof of concept for a human resources client (Mary Smith) who is the HR manager in a major hardware chain. The firm has a “ServiceNow” installation, with tables that stores employee ”hours worked”.
Introduction If you have an Azure SQL Database, it is possible to replicate the data in multiple locations. In this new chapter, we will explain how to do it. This article has 3 sections:
Have you ever been in a situation where you had to manage hundres of MSSQL Servers? Well, I am right on track here and believe me it does not get easier, even minor tasks take quite the time to do in large enterprise enviornments. One of the solutions I like and I’m using to ease […]
Introduction A few weeks back I had been working on an interesting proof of concept for a client within the food / grocery industry. The objectives were to be able to provide the client with information on sales patterns, seasonal trends and location profitability. The client was an accountant and was therefore comfortable utilizing spreadsheets. […]
Description Occurs while SQL Server is waiting for the Operating System to complete portions of write operations. This wait is commonly seen in databases with auto-growth not configured appropriately. Small values are expected. Excessive values should be investigated Resolved by DBAs and Developers Suggested solutions Enable Perform Volume Maintenance Tasks to avoid zero-initialisation for data […]
Description Occurs while SQL Server is waiting for the Operating System to flush file buffers to disk. This wait is commonly seen in databases with auto-growth not configured appropriately. Small values are expected. Excessive values should be investigated Resolved by DBAs and Developers Suggested solutions Increase the auto-growth from the default (less frequent growths) Investigate […]
Description Accumulates while SQL Server is using the OLE DB (as opposed to ODBC). It is common to see this wait type on instances hosting Linked Servers. OLE DB is also used in Bulk Insert, the Full Text engine and within SQL Server Management Studio Resolved by DBAs and Developers Suggested solutions Ensure that Linked […]
Description Converting a delimited string into a dataset or transforming it into useful data can be an extremely useful tool when working with complex inputs or user-provided data. There are many methods available to accomplish this task; here we will discuss many of them, comparing performance, accuracy, and availability!
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