Great database performance starts with great database design. I have yet to meet someone to argue with that statement. I have, however, met many a database that has a less than optimal design. Sometimes this is due to the evolution of the database; it was built for one purpose and it is now being used … Read more
You’re doing it wrong. You didn’t mean to be that way, I know. But the truth is things happen. When they do I am brought in to find out what is happening, what has gone wrong. I see repeating patterns in the database issues I am asked to investigate. I keep track of them as I … Read more
Last weekend Karen Lopez (blog | @datachick) and I did a session together at SQL Saturday #159 in Kansas City titled Database Design Throwdown: The Trailer. The reason we called it “The Trailer” is because we are giving people a sneak peek as to what topics we will be covering when we present this session together at the … Read more
“Trust [everyone], but always cut the deck.” – Gerald Weinberg Whenever I come across a piece of technical information on the internet I try to remember two things. The first is assume good intentions. The second is trust, but verify. In other words, don’t assume that the person sharing the information is doing so for any other … Read more
There are many paths to becoming a data professional.
Nobody starts a database project with failure in mind. And yet, it would seem as if the majority of all such projects end up with some degree of failure. Oh sure, some are small failures, like the design didn’t last the full seven years as promised. Other failures are more stunning in their glory; I’ve … Read more
