Aaron Bertrand

Upgrading to SQL Server 2012 with Lock Pages in Memory

AaronBertrand — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 20:36:00 GMT

During SQL Server 2012 RC0 setup (specifically when upgrading), you may have noticed upgrade rules regarding Lock Pages in Memory (LPIM): However, for most folks, these rules always pass, whether or not they are actually using LPIM. I wanted to run a...(read more)

Bad Habits to Kick : Thinking a WHILE loop isn't a CURSOR

AaronBertrand — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 21:50:00 GMT

I see a lot of people suggest while loops instead of cursors in situations where row-based processing is required (or, at least, where folks think that row-based processing is required). Sometimes the justification is that constructing a while loop is...(read more)

SQL Server 2012 : The "Launch Date" is not what you think it is

AaronBertrand — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 21:58:00 GMT

I see a lot of people getting really excited. There is a "virtual launch event" for SQL Server 2012 being held on March 7, 2012. You can read more about the event at http://sqlserverlaunch.com/ . Let me throw out a dose of reality: if you are not on a...(read more)

Bad Habits to Kick : Using AS instead of = for column aliases

AaronBertrand — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 17:31:00 GMT

This one is quite subjective, and I'm sure I will face plenty of opposition - not only because it's a preference thing and many people are married to their preferences, but also because it violates the strict interpretation of the standard. Personally,...(read more)

Blog Post #500 : 2011, a year in review

AaronBertrand — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 19:55:00 GMT

My favorite blog post Picking favorites is never easy. While I definitely feel like I had some more thought-provoking, controversial and laborious blog posts, my favorite would have to be my summary of 18456 errors: http://sqlblog.com/blogs/aaron_bertrand/archive/2011/01/14/sql-server-v-next-denali-additional-states-for-error-18456.aspx...(read more)

New cumulative Updates for SQL Server 2008 SP2/SP3 are available!

AaronBertrand — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 16:07:00 GMT

On Monday, I completely missed that the SQL Server Release Services team published two cumulative updates for SQL Server 2008. I'd blame jury duty, but that didn't start until Tuesday, and only lasted two days. Well, better late than never. Cumulative...(read more)

A quick reaction to the PASS board appointments

AaronBertrand — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 19:29:00 GMT

First of all, I want to congratulate both Kendal van Dyke ( @SQLDBA ) and James Rowland-Jones ( @jrowlandjones ) on their recent appointment to the PASS Board of Directors . I have no doubt they will go above and beyond to fulfill their duties and represent...(read more)

T-SQL Tuesday #26 : Second Chances

AaronBertrand — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 16:20:00 GMT

This month's T-SQL Tuesday is being hosted by Dave Howard ( @DaveH0ward ), and the topic is " Second Chances ." What he's letting us do is look back at all the previous T-SQL Tuesdays and pick a topic that we missed or maybe thought we needed another...(read more)

Connect Digest : 2012-01-09

AaronBertrand — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 14:50:00 GMT

Hide databases from users who shouldn't be able to see them This is a long-standing request from Erland Sommarskog which I've highlighted in previous digests. But the underlying problem keeps coming up in multiple venues, so I thought it would be good...(read more)

Comparing multiple plans in SQL Sentry Plan Explorer

AaronBertrand — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 15:54:00 GMT

I’ve seen the question a few times now: “How do I compare two plans side-by-side in Plan Explorer?” Management Studio allows you to view multiple graphical plans that are visible simultaneously, either by generating plans for every statement in a batch,...(read more)

Connect Digest : 2011-12-20

AaronBertrand — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 16:55:00 GMT

Make SSMS start faster A couple of years ago, I blogged about some ways to make Management Studio start faster . With the latest builds of SQL Server 2012, it seems to be slower than ever, at least when starting SSMS for the first time after a reboot...(read more)

New cumulative updates for SQL Server 2008 R2 are available!

AaronBertrand — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 15:18:00 GMT

Microsoft has just released cumulative updates for both SQL Server 2008 R2 branches - RTM and Service Pack 1. SQL Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1 Cumulative Update #4 http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2633146/ Build number is 10.50.2796 Contains 53 fixes...(read more)

T-SQL Tuesday #25 : T-SQL Tips 'n' Tricks

AaronBertrand — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 18:50:00 GMT

This month's T-SQL Tuesday is being hosted by Allen White ( @SQLRunr ) and is about sharing your T-SQL tips and tricks . Since I know many people will share their T-SQL magic and wizardry, I thought I would share a couple of productivity tips - so still...(read more)

Connect Digest : 2011-12-01

AaronBertrand — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 14:36:00 GMT

Where is my graphical ShowPlan? Many of you on SQL Server 2008 R2 are experiencing a major annoyance with SSMS since installing service pack 1 - when clicking a plan from grid results, you get raw XML instead of the graphical plan. I wrote about this...(read more)

Cumulative Updates for SQL Server 2008 SP2/SP3 are available

AaronBertrand — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 13:26:00 GMT

Very early this morning, Microsoft released two new cumulative updates for the SQL Server 2008 platform. Cumulative Update #7 for SQL Server 2008 Service Pack 2 If SELECT @@VERSION is between 10.00.4000 and 10.00.4322 KB article is KB #2617148 There are...(read more)