How well do you know your data? I’m not talking about user names, passwords, or credit card numbers. I don’t expect you to know the values stored inside the rows and tables of your database (although I *was* once called out for not knowing such details so apparently there are some people out there that … Read more
Recently I shared a piece of code that would help you to right size the datatypes inside of a database. I’ve received a lot of feedback since that post and it has spurred me to think a little bit deeper on the topic of datatypes and performance. The script I shared only examined whats are … Read more
Last Wednesday I delivered a webinar for Confio titled “Database Design: Size DOES Matter”. I had a piece of code at the end that evaluated defined datatypes to the current data values in those columns. The idea being that if a column is defined as BIGINT but contains values that are best defined as a … Read more
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 have more options than just the DBA. I’ve put a few into this sheet that you can print out and hang in your cubicle, or on bulletin boards in the office, or on telephone poles…and I already took one for myself. You can have the rest. Enjoy!
You’re transaction log files are a mess. You don’t think so, but it’s true. Too many times I have seen transaction logs treated without care; they are placed on the same disk drives as the data files or they are placed on drives not optimized for write activity. I have even seen admins who fail … Read more
