What Is SQLPSX?

SQLPSX is a useful library you can add to PowerShell to automate many DBA tasks. In this article, Laerte Junior demonstrates several useful commands and shows you how to create a SQL Agent job using this library to run daily DBA checks.

SOX and Database Administration – Part 3

Database administrators are typically responsible for the security and availability of financial data. In this article, Robert Sheldon discusses SOX, passed in 2002, that governs financial data of publicly traded companies in the US.

HIPAA and Database Administration – Part 2

HIPAA was signed into law in the United States in 1996. In this article, Robert Sheldon discusses how the act affects the day-to-day responsibilities of database administrators.

Extended Events Workbench

The Extended Events (or XEvents) feature has been part of SQL Server since 2008, but many database professionals struggle to get started using it. In this article, Phil Factor demonstrates several useful Extended Event sessions that measure just one thing in each. He then provides the code necessary to parse the resulting XML into something you can use.

How to use Windows shares on Linux?

SET IMPLICIT_TRANSACTIONS ON Is One Hell of a Bad Idea

By default, when you run a query in SQL Server, your delete/update/insert (DUI) is finished as soon as your query finishes. That’s because the default behavior of SQL Server is IMPLICIT_TRANSACTIONS OFF – meaning, SQL Server doesn’t hold your queries open waiting for a COMMIT or ROLLBACK.

Changing Data Types on Large Tables: The INT to BIGINT Conundrum

Changing a data type seems like a simple task unless the table is quite large and downtime must be kept to a minimum. Danny Kruge walks you through the process he created to change an INT to a BIGINT in a large table.

Non-Standard Delimiters for Columns and Rows Using SQL Server Bulk Insert

In this tip, Tim Smith looks at how to use bulk insert to load data into SQL Server when the column and row terminators are not what you typically see.

How to Survive as a Lone DBA

Database administrators have enormous responsibility whether they manage one or hundreds of servers. Monica Rathbun tells us how she survived as the Lone DBA for 56 database servers for over a decade. While many DBAs work on teams instead of alone, she has great advice for all.

How to Suck at Database Administration

Tara Kizer outlines 15 telltale signs that you aren't a very good senior DBA.