Dear SQL DBA

Learn what a Stack Dump is in SQL Server. Hear what happens when Kendra causes a stack dump against a test SQL Server instance under load. Learn how to find information about stack dumps on your SQL Server, and how to escalate them when required.

When you're a Junior DBA, it's really hard to take in all the information out there. Learn about write ahead logging: the concept that can help you make sense of recovery models and backup strategies in SQL Server. Kendra tells the story of the "Wow!" moment when she learned about write ahead logging from Kimberly Tripp of SQLSkills.com, and explains how this all works in SQL Server.

Will cloud services render DBAs obsolete? Does the cloud mean that developers will use less of SQL Server? Kendra talks about the future of database administration and gives tips on strategizing your career.

Learn why the output from the built-in procedure sp_who2 can be so confusing, how to get more information, and free tools that can make it easier to figure out what you need to pay attention to in SQL Server.

Learn where full-text search shines, a common problem which full-text search does NOT solve, where full-text can run into performance problems.

Learn the difference between heaps, clustered and nonclustered indexes, primary keys, and columnstore indexes in SQL Server.

Learn how to approach the unexpected in a mysterious execution plan that contains way more operators than expected for a very simple SQL Server query.

Performing a switcharoo between new and old tables can cause blocking nightmares. Partition switching may help, surprisingly even on non-partitioned tables.

You need to release schema changes while the SQL Server is in use. Learn why code generation tools write odd scripts and how to stay sane amid rapid releases.

Does your team know what it's doing with SQL Server? Learn what a consultant looks for when assessing a team, and signs that SQL Server may be badly configured.

The first time you test a query it's slow, but when you run it again, it's much faster. Learn how SQL Server uses memory to make the second run much faster.

Learn why SQL Server 2016 SP1 is a game changer, and how to take best advantage of all the cool features now in Standard and Web Editions.

Learn about new features to speed up SQL Server queries. Kendra talks about automatic index tuning and speculates about Adaptive Query Processing.

As a database administrator or developer, you'll get into trouble fast if you try to force all your code and processes into a database shaped hole. You have to be creative when you problem solve  -- and when you communicate! So how do you cultivate creativity?

The bigger your indexes are, the harder your index maintenance falls. Is it better to rebuild big indexes? Or should you reorganize? Learn the pros and cons of each command and other options.

Should you look at automatically created statistics on  your tables in SQL Server to help you design better indexes?

What tools in SQL Server will notify you about blocking and help track the queries behind your toughest blocking and deadlocking problems?

Should you always index your foreign keys? What if you index them, and then the index never gets used?

Learn what it's like to find and develop your voice as a technical speaker in this week's episode.

What are the best tools to collect and baseline wait statistics? Should you write your own?

A C# developer wants to be a DBA, but is having a hard time landing a job. Should they take a pay cut and go for a Junior level job? Or could there be another path?  

You'd love to have a job tuning SQL Servers, but you don't have an environment to practice in. Here's how to teach yourself performance tuning and prepare yourself to land and succeed in job interviews.

You need to change an INT column to a BIGINT in a large table. Learn why this schema change can make your transaction log explode, and how to avoid it.

Your boss wants you to automate patching for your SQL Servers. Is that a good idea? How far should you take it? Find out a DBAs perspective.  

Learn what can cause performance regressions after migrating to a new SQL Server version, and how to troubleshoot it.