#sqldba — Public Fediverse posts

New blog post:
My third contribution to T-SQL Tuesday, about things that make me instantly think a query is bad.
https://vladdba.com/2026/07/07/t-sql-tuesday-200-things-that-make-a-query-bad/
#sqlserver #sqldba #microsoftsqlserver #mssqlserver #mssql #mssqldba #sql #tsql2sday #azure #azuresql #mvpbuzz

Recently updated blog post:
In which I demonstrate why using heaps in SQL Server for anything other than staging tables comes with real, measurable costs.
If you didn't get a chance to attend my session at Data Saturday Croatia 2026, then this is the next best thing.
https://vladdba.com/2025/12/30/the-hidden-costs-of-heaps-in-sql-server/
#sqlserver #sqldba #microsoftsqlserver #mssqlserver #mssql #mssqldba

New blog post:
On my experience as a first time speaker at a Data Saturday conference at Data Saturday Croatia 2026.
https://vladdba.com/2026/06/23/attendee-speaker-data-saturday/
#sqlserver #sqldba #microsoftsqlserver #mssqlserver #mssql #mssqldba #sql #mvpbuzz

PSBlitz 6.1.0 is live
New checks for Backups (RPO/RPO est.) & Instance Security (beta).
ImportExcel support
Up to 70% faster Excel exports
Retry logic for transient errors

Read the full breakdown: https://vladdba.com/2026/05/28/psblitz-6-1-0-backup-security-checks-excel-performance/
Repo: https://github.com/VladDBA/PSBlitz

#sqlserver #sqldba #powershell #microsoftsqlserver #mssqlserver #mssql #mssqldba #dba #PSBlitz #MVPBuzz

PSBlitz 6.1.0 is live
New checks for Backups (RPO/RPO est.) & Instance Security (beta).
ImportExcel support
Up to 70% faster Excel exports
Retry logic for transient errors

Read the full breakdown: https://vladdba.com/2026/05/28/psblitz-6-1-0-backup-security-checks-excel-performance/
Repo: https://github.com/VladDBA/PSBlitz

#sqlserver #sqldba #powershell #microsoftsqlserver #mssqlserver #mssql #mssqldba #dba #PSBlitz #MVPBuzz

Blog post from the past:
In which I go over potential reasons for why some special characters end up corrupted and displayed as question marks, squares or something completely different in SQL Server.
https://vladdba.com/2024/10/04/characters-question-marks-squares-sql-server/
#sqlserver #sqldba #microsoftsqlserver #mssqlserver #mssql #mssqldba

New blog post:
My guideline on how to handle and test SQL Server backups to ensure their viability and avoid a "Schrödinger's backup" scenario.
https://vladdba.com/2026/04/23/test-sql-server-backups-schrodingers-backups/
#sqlserver #sqldba #microsoftsqlserver #mssqlserver #mssql #mssqldba #sql #azure

Recently updated post:
In which I discuss the risks of improperly configured SQL Server linked server connections and provide recommendations for securing them.
Now with a query to identify improperly configured linked server connections.
https://vladdba.com/2023/07/10/securing-sql-server-linked-servers/
#sqlserver #sqldba #microsoftsqlserver #mssqlserver #mssql #mssqldba #security

New blog post:
In which I go over three points that are vital in preventing SQL injection when working with dynamic T-SQL.
https://vladdba.com/2026/04/15/dynamic-t-sql-sql-injection-quotename-executesql/
#sqlserver #sqldba #microsoftsqlserver #mssqlserver #mssql #mssqldba #sql

New blog post:
My second contribution to T-SQL Tuesday, about a session that got me interested into the security side of things.
https://vladdba.com/2026/04/14/t-sql-tuesday-197-impactful-session-dba-career/
#sqlserver #sqldba #microsoftsqlserver #mssqlserver #mssql #mssqldba #sql #tsql2sday

New blog post:
In which I provide some examples as to why FLOAT isn’t the best option for storing exact financial data in SQL Server.
https://vladdba.com/2026/04/11/stop-using-float-for-financial-data-sql-server/
#sqlserver #sqldba #microsoftsqlserver #mssqlserver #mssql #mssqldba #sql

Blog post from the past:
In which I demo two PoCs for SQL injection vulnerabilities fixed in SQL Server 2022 CU20 GDR KB5063814
https://vladdba.com/2025/08/29/poc-sql-injection-sql-server-2022-cu20-gdr-kb5063814/
#sqlserver #sqldba #microsoftsqlserver #mssqlserver #mssql #mssqldba #sql

I've noticed today that Microsoft Bing Webmaster Tools has a new "AI Performance" tab.
Apparently, my SSMS 22 config blog post has been cited by "Microsoft Copilots and Partners" a total of 284.7K times since I've published it ~6 months ago. Pretty neat, although this doesn't really translate into visits.

Link to blog post: https://vladdba.com/2025/11/16/my-sql-server-management-studio-22-configuration/

#sqlserver #sqldba #microsoftsqlserver #mssqlserver #mssql #mssqldba #sql

New blog post:
In which I cover where to find the 4 new export formats in SSMS 22.4.1 and one gotcha you need to be mindful of.
https://vladdba.com/2026/03/20/ssms-export-result-excel-json-markdown-xml/
#sqlserver #sqldba #microsoftsqlserver #mssqlserver #mssql #mssqldba #sql

Blog post from the past:
In which I explore the impact of SQL Server 2025’s #PBKDF2 hashing algorithm on password cracking and compare it with SQL Server 2022
https://vladdba.com/2025/06/23/looking-into-sql-server-2025s-new-pbkdf2-hashing-algorithm/
#sqlserver #sqldba #microsoftsqlserver #mssqlserver #mssql #mssqldba

Blog post from the past:
In which I cover ANSI_NULLS and QUOTED_IDENTIFIER, two potentially dangerous SET options that stored procedures inherit from your session when created.
https://vladdba.com/2025/03/03/dangerous-set-options-stored-procedures/
#sqlserver #sqldba #microsoftsqlserver #mssqlserver #mssql #mssqldba

New blog post:
Outlining the process of changing the edition of a SQL Server instance on Linux
https://vladdba.com/2026/02/03/change-edition-sql-server-linux/
#linux #sqlserver #sqldba #microsoftsqlserver #mssqlserver #mssql #mssqldba #sql

New blog post:
Outlining the process of changing the edition of a SQL Server instance on Linux
https://vladdba.com/2026/02/03/change-edition-sql-server-linux/
#linux #sqlserver #sqldba #microsoftsqlserver #mssqlserver #mssql #mssqldba #sql

New blog post:
In which I cover the process of setting up SQL Server 2025 on Ubuntu 24.04, connecting and restoring a sample database.
https://vladdba.com/2026/02/02/sql-server-2025-ubuntu-24-04/
#linux #ubuntu #virtualbox #sqlserver #sqldba #microsoftsqlserver #mssqlserver #mssql #mssqldba #sql

New blog post:
In which I cover the process of setting up SQL Server 2025 on Ubuntu 24.04, connecting and restoring a sample database.
https://vladdba.com/2026/02/02/sql-server-2025-ubuntu-24-04/
#linux #ubuntu #virtualbox #sqlserver #sqldba #microsoftsqlserver #mssqlserver #mssql #mssqldba #sql

New blog post:
My first ever contribution to T-SQL Tuesday.
https://vladdba.com/2026/01/20/t-sql-tuesday-194-learning-from-mistakes/
#sqlserver #sqldba #microsoftsqlserver #mssqlserver #mssql #mssqldba #sql #tsql2sday

New blog post:
My first ever contribution to T-SQL Tuesday.
https://vladdba.com/2026/01/20/t-sql-tuesday-194-learning-from-mistakes/
#sqlserver #sqldba #microsoftsqlserver #mssqlserver #mssql #mssqldba #sql #tsql2sday

Blog post from the past:
In which I cover ways of speeding up SELECT COUNT in SQL Server as well as some myths about best practices when it comes to SELECT COUNT.
https://vladdba.com/2023/08/21/speeding-up-select-count-in-sql-server/
#sqlserver #sqldba #microsoftsqlserver #mssqlserver #mssql #mssqldba

New blog post:
In which I cover some unpleasant side-effects of using heaps in SQL Server for anything else than staging tables.
https://vladdba.com/2025/12/30/the-hidden-costs-of-heaps-in-sql-server/
#sqlserver #sqldba #microsoftsqlserver #mssqlserver #mssql #mssqldba #sql

New blog post:
In which I cover some unpleasant side-effects of using heaps in SQL Server for anything else than staging tables.
https://vladdba.com/2025/12/30/the-hidden-costs-of-heaps-in-sql-server/
#sqlserver #sqldba #microsoftsqlserver #mssqlserver #mssql #mssqldba #sql

New blog post:
My most popular blog posts in 2025 by views, likes, and comments.
https://vladdba.com/2025/12/27/most-popular-blog-posts-in-2025/
#sqlserver #sqldba #microsoftsqlserver #mssqlserver #mssql #mssqldba #sql

New blog post:
My most popular blog posts in 2025 by views, likes, and comments.
https://vladdba.com/2025/12/27/most-popular-blog-posts-in-2025/
#sqlserver #sqldba #microsoftsqlserver #mssqlserver #mssql #mssqldba #sql

Blog post from the past:
In which I demo how to import and query HTML table data in SQL Server using only T-SQL.
https://vladdba.com/2023/11/03/import-and-query-html-table-data-in-sql-server/
#sqlserver #sqldba #microsoftsqlserver #mssqlserver #mssql #mssqldba

New blog post:
In which I cover a sometimes overlooked gotcha when using page compression on heaps.
https://vladdba.com/2025/12/09/page-compression-heaps-sql-server/
#sqlserver #sqldba #microsoftsqlserver #mssqlserver #mssql #mssqldba #sql

New blog post:
In which I cover a sometimes overlooked gotcha when using page compression on heaps.
https://vladdba.com/2025/12/09/page-compression-heaps-sql-server/
#sqlserver #sqldba #microsoftsqlserver #mssqlserver #mssql #mssqldba #sql

Updated blog post:
Added information about limitations and a workaround for transferring SSMS 21 connection history data to SSMS 22 when using the classic Connection Dialog.
https://vladdba.com/2025/11/17/import-saved-connections-from-ssms-21-to-ssms-22/
#sqlserver #sqldba #microsoftsqlserver #mssqlserver #mssql #mssqldba #sql #ssms #PowerShell

Updated blog post:
Added information about limitations and a workaround for transferring SSMS 21 connection history data to SSMS 22 when using the classic Connection Dialog.
https://vladdba.com/2025/11/17/import-saved-connections-from-ssms-21-to-ssms-22/
#sqlserver #sqldba #microsoftsqlserver #mssqlserver #mssql #mssqldba #sql #ssms #PowerShell

New blog post:
In which I demo a PowerShell script I wrote to extract and decrypt SSMS 21 and 22 saved connection information.
https://vladdba.com/2025/11/22/powershell-extract-ssms-21-22-saved-connection-information/
#sqlserver #sqldba #microsoftsqlserver #mssqlserver #mssql #mssqldba #sql #ssms #PowerShell

New blog post:
In which I demo a pure T-SQL implementation of SQL Server 2025's new PBKDF2 hashing algorithm
#sqlserver #sqldba #microsoftsqlserver #mssqlserver #mssql #mssqldba #sql #security
https://vladdba.com/2025/11/02/replicating-sql-server-2025-pbkdf2-hashing-algorithm-using-t-sql/

New blog post:
SSMS 22 Preview 3 comes with some promissing features and improvements.
And the startup speed has finally been noticeably improved
#sqlserver #sqldba #microsoftsqlserver #mssqlserver #mssql #mssqldba #sql
https://vladdba.com/2025/10/16/sql-server-management-studio-22-preview-3-first-impressions/

The latest release of PSBlitz:
- Has been updated with the non-sp versions of sp_Blitz, sp_BlitzCache, sp_BlitzFirst, sp_BlitzIndex, sp_BlitzLock, and sp_BlitzWho, from Brent Ozar's October release of the First Responder Kit
- Provides additional memory and instance state information
- Improves the HTML report's table layout
- Includes other bug fixes and minor improvements

https://github.com/VladDBA/PSBlitz

#sqlserver #sqldba #powershell #microsoftsqlserver #mssqlserver #mssql #mssqldba #dba #PSBlitz

I'm reposting this blog post every time I have to troubleshoot a performance issue caused by this scenario where applications cause ASYNC_NETWORK_IO waits in SQL Server.
https://vladdba.com/2024/01/22/how-applications-cause-excessive-async_network_io-waits-in-sql-server/
#sqlserver #mssqldba #sql #dba #mssql #sqldba

New blog post:
In which I demo two PoCs for SQL injection vulnerabilities fixed in SQL Server 2022 CU20 GDR KB5063814.
https://vladdba.com/2025/08/29/poc-sql-injection-sql-server-2022-cu20-gdr-kb5063814/
#sqlserver #sqldba #microsoftsqlserver #mssqlserver #mssql #mssqldba #sql #security #sqli #sqlinjection

New blog post:
In which I explore the impact of SQL Server 2025’s PBKDF2 hashing algorithm on password cracking and compare it with SQL Server 2022.
#sqlserver #sqldba #microsoftsqlserver #mssqlserver #mssql #mssqldba #sql #security #pbkdf2
https://vladdba.com/2025/06/23/looking-into-sql-server-2025s-new-pbkdf2-hashing-algorithm/

SQL Server Management Studio 21.2.5 is out.

Fans of maintenance plans and SSIS will be happy to know the two features have been reinstated as part of this update.

Release notes: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/ssms/release-notes-21#21.2.5
#sqlserver #sqldba #microsoftsqlserver #mssqlserver #mssql #mssqldba #sql #ssms

New blog post:
In which I cover a fairly common VM CPU configuration mistake that may end up hurting your SQL Server’s performance and wasting licensing money.
#sqlserver #sqldba #microsoftsqlserver #mssqlserver #mssql #mssqldba #sql
https://vladdba.com/2025/06/08/vm-cpu-configuration-sql-server-performance-licensing/

New blog post:
Which covers creating SQL Server 2025 containers in #Podman, #Qnap Container Station, #sqlcmd, and restoring a sample database to test the new version.
#sqlserver #sqldba #microsoftsqlserver #mssqlserver #mssql #mssqldba #sql #container #docker
https://vladdba.com/2025/05/30/sql-server-2025-container/

New blog post:
Which covers a potentially breaking change that comes with the version of sqlcmd shipped with SQL Server 2025.
#sqlserver #sqldba #microsoftsqlserver #mssqlserver #mssql #mssqldba #sql
https://vladdba.com/2025/05/25/breaking-change-sqlcmd-version-sql-server-2025/

New blog post:
Covering system object changes in SQL Server 2025 versus 2022, as well as differences in the install kit.
#sqlserver #sqldba #microsoftsqlserver #mssqlserver #mssql #mssqldba #sql
https://vladdba.com/2025/05/25/system-object-changes-sql-server-2025-2022/

New blog post:
In which I demo 3 methods to get SQL Server system objects' definitions.

#sqlserver #sqldba #microsoftsqlserver #mssqlserver #mssql #mssqldba #sql
https://vladdba.com/2025/05/22/view-sql-server-system-objects-definitions/

New blog post:
Covering the install process of SQL Server 2025 Preview and some first impressions, especially on the new Standard Developer Edition
#sqlserver #sqldba #microsoftsqlserver #mssqlserver #mssql #mssqldba #sql
https://vladdba.com/2025/05/22/sql-server-2025-preview-installation-first-impressions/

New blog post:
Which outlines a list of feedback items for SSMS 21 that I believe should be addressed before it goes GA.
#sqlserver #sqldba #microsoftsqlserver #mssqlserver #mssql #mssqldba #sql #ssms
https://vladdba.com/2025/05/07/my-wish-list-for-ssms-21/

This is a brief post showing how to migrate the sa password to another SQL Server instance without knowing it.
https://vladdba.com/2025/02/15/migrate-sa-password-another-instance/
#sqlserver #sqldba #microsoftsqlserver #mssqlserver #mssql #mssqldba

Recently updated blog post:
In this post I cover what the ASYNC_NETWORK_IO wait type is, when it occurs, and how applications cause ASYNC_NETWORK_IO waits in SQL Server.
I also use #PowerShell to cause the wait, and then I walk through troubleshooting it.
#sqlserver #sqldba #microsoftsqlserver #mssqlserver #mssql #mssqldba
https://vladdba.com/2024/01/22/how-applications-cause-excessive-async_network_io-waits-in-sql-server/

In this post I’ll go over the steps to repair a SQL Server instance, via both GUI and #PowerShell, as well as explain when you might need to do it.
#sqlserver #sqldba #microsoftsqlserver #mssqlserver #mssql #mssqldba #dba
https://vladdba.com/2025/01/22/repair-a-sql-server-instance/