Simon Frazer

Debugging T-SQL Scripts

At some point, every SQL developer or DBA will need to debug T-SQL scripts, either to verify that they behave as expected or to track down the root cause of a problem. Whether you’re building something new or investigating a production issue, debugging is an essential part of the process. There are several techniques available […]

Debugging T-SQL Scripts Read More »

tiger breaking chains

Variables Are Tougher Than You Think

If you’ve been working with T-SQL scripts for a while, you’ve likely encountered variables. These are essential for writing scripts that go beyond basic SELECT, INSERT, UPDATE, or DELETE statements. Variables can serve multiple purposes: they can act as parameters passed into stored procedures, hold the results of one query to use in another, or

Variables Are Tougher Than You Think Read More »

A man using a microscope to examine the page of book

What’s inside a database page?

When starting out with SQL Server, it’s important to focus on learning the basics to avoid getting bogged down with detail but there comes a time when knowing about the internals of a database page can be useful. Lets have a look at how SQL Server groups database pages and what they actually contain. What

What’s inside a database page? Read More »

A calendar on a shelf

Tuning Date Range Queries

SQL Server has been around for many years and does a pretty good job of optimising queries. While there are ways we can help enhance performance, there are also plenty to inadvertently degrade it. A common issue I often encounter occurs in queries across date ranges.

Tuning Date Range Queries Read More »

Attending Data Scotland 2024 in September

Why Attend Data Scotland 2024? Conferences like Data Scotland offer an invaluable opportunity to enhance your technical knowledge and network with industry sponsors. They also provide a fantastic platform to connect with like-minded individuals, offering fresh perspectives on tackling technical challenges. Personally, I always leave these conferences feeling motivated and eager to apply what I’ve

Attending Data Scotland 2024 in September Read More »