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As we cross the midpoint of July, it’s time to shift our focus onto the life force of our digital existence – our databases! Being the founder of Database Health and Stedman Solutions, it brings me immense joy to pronounce July as Database Health Monitor Month! This is our yearly chance to acknowledge our largely invisible data protectors, and to plunge into the heart of our systems, rich with intricate data structures and complex relations. The moment has arrived for …

Just past the midpoint of Database Health Monitor Month Read more »

NOLOCK Hint in SQL Queries: Myths, Misconceptions, and Best Practices In the world of SQL Server, the NOLOCK hint often generates spirited debates among database professionals. This hint is frequently used but equally misunderstood. In this blog post, we’ll explore what the NOLOCK hint does, dispel some common myths and misconceptions, and provide best practices for its use. Understanding the NOLOCK Hint The NOLOCK hint allows SQL Server to perform a dirty read, which means it can read data that …

SQL Server WITH NOLOCK Read more »

Shrinking a database can seem like a helpful way to save space and resources, particularly if a database has grown substantially over time. However, SQL Server’s default maintenance plans that include database shrinking can lead to several performance issues. Here’s why: Fragmentation: When a database is shrunk, the data pages are reorganized to create a contiguous block of free space at the end of the data file, which can cause severe fragmentation. This fragmentation can significantly degrade the performance of …

Database Health Quickscan – Default maintenance plans to shrink database – Ouch Read more »

Welcome to July – a month that signifies a shift in focus to the unseen heroes of our digital infrastructure – our databases. As the founder of Database Health and Stedman Solutions, it is with great pleasure that I announce this month as Database Health Monitor Month! This annual event allows us to appreciate our precious data, explore the intricacies of our systems, and focus on enhancing the health of our databases. This July, let’s not merely keep our databases …

Celebrating Database Health Monitor Month Read more »

July is here and that means it’s time for us to pivot our collective gaze to the pulse of our digital lifeblood – our databases! As the founder of Database Health and Stedman Solutions, I am excited to declare this month as Database Health Monitor Month! This is our annual opportunity to appreciate the often-unseen guardians of our valuable data, and to dive deeper into the heartbeat of our systems, replete with intricate data structures and complex relations. It’s time …

Sneak preview – July is Database Health Monitor Month Read more »

Over the years developing Database Health Monitor I have added a number of keyboard shortcuts to make life easier when working in the application. Some of these are listed here to share since they are not all completely obvious. Backspace Key – Jump to the last report viewed The Backspace key can be used to jump to the previous report that you were viewing. Not just that, but hit it multiple times and you can browse back through the history …

Keyboard Shortcuts for Database Health Monitor Read more »

In the world of database management, maintaining optimal performance is an ongoing challenge. One crucial aspect that often gets overlooked is the management of indexes. While indexes can significantly enhance query performance, having too many of them can lead to issues when it comes to inserts, updates, and deletes. In this blog post, we’ll explore the delicate balance of index management and discuss strategies to identify and remove unnecessary indexes without compromising system stability. The Dilemma of Too Many Indexes …

Dangers of Removing Indexes Read more »

Celebrating World Backup Day with Stedman’s SQL School: Unlock the Secrets of Efficient Backup and Recovery As we mark World Backup Day on March 31st, it’s a timely reminder of the critical importance of data backups in our increasingly digital world. In the realm of database management, particularly with SQL Server, the significance of having a reliable backup and recovery strategy cannot be overstated. Data is the lifeline of any organization, and the ability to recover it swiftly and accurately …

Celebrating World Backup Day Read more »

Embrace Efficiency and Growth: The Integrated Power of Managed Services In today’s fast-evolving business landscape, organizations are constantly seeking ways to optimize their operations, scale efficiently, and ensure the robust management of their critical IT infrastructure. Stedman Solutions offers a suite of Managed Services designed to address these core needs, emphasizing the essential role of expert database administration in achieving business excellence. This consolidated blog post integrates insights from various discussions, outlining how Stedman Solutions empowers businesses through its comprehensive …

The Integrated Power of Managed Services Read more »

Finding Peace of Mind with SQL Server Managed Services As the owner or manager of a business that relies on SQL Server for critical data management and operations, the thought of your SQL Server encountering issues during the off-hours can be a significant source of stress. The fear of waking up to a server crash, data loss, or performance issues is enough to keep anyone up at night, questioning if their SQL Servers are properly taken care of. This concern …

Sleep Better With Our SQL Server Managed Services Read more »