Dear SQL DBA
81 episodes - English - Latest episode: 3 months ago - ★★★★★ - 26 ratingsKendra Little's podcast discussing database performance tuning, software development, and working with data.
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Episodes
Power BI Performance Tuning with Eugene Meidinger
January 15, 2024 18:11 - 53 minutes - 62.8 MBEugene Meidinger stops by to chat about Power BI Performance Tuning with Kendra. We talk about the various engines and languages used in Power BI and big-picture strategies for getting performance from the start. Eugene then talks about the community of tools and techniques that can be used to dig in and solve performance problems in Power BI. Eugene's new Pluralsight course on Perf tuning Power BI launches on February 5th, 2024. The first 50 sales will be only $20. If you don't get one of...
Automated Deployments and the Art of the Database with Database Michael J Swart
September 26, 2023 15:51 - 1 hour - 76.2 MBIn this episode, Michael J Swart joins the Dear SQL DBA podcast to talk about databases, automation, and how he’s come to illustrate some of the coolest blog posts ever to be written about data. Check out Michael’s art and blog posts at michaeljswart.com, and explore his posts by illustration at https://michaeljswart.com/browse-articles-by-illustration/.
Jer and Kendar Explore Optimized Locking
September 04, 2023 14:56 - 28 minutes - 26.8 MBSQL Server has a new feature that’s currently only available in Azure SQL Database: Optimized Locking. Jeremiah Peschka joins the podcast to talk through the docs and nerd out on locks, blocks, and how to pronounce the acronym “LAQ”. Learn more about this feature online: Optimized locking article from Microsoft Learn Transaction locking and row versioning guide <– A much longer read on Microsoft Learn Kendra's Sketchnote diagram of Optimized Locking
Advice for Technical Leaders with Alex Robson
August 25, 2023 20:38 - 1 hour - 52.6 MBEver wondered what it's like to be a VP or Director of Engineering? Kendra chats with Alex Robson about leadership in technology, what you can get out of coaching or an MBA program (should you be interested), and what makes a high performing team. We'll also chat about recommended content to hone your tech leadership skills. Alex Robson's site and blog: https://robsonconsulting.services Alex's content recommendations for folks who want to think more about technical leadership: "I belie...
Erik Darling on Performance Tuning
August 21, 2023 16:51 - 52 minutes - 37.8 MBSQL Server performance tuning expert Erik Darling joins the podcast today to chat about how good queries can go bad, how bad queries can get better, and the question on everyone's mind: if he was a database, what database would he be? This episode contains some mildly explicit language. Erik's blog: https://erikdarlingdata.com/blog/ Erik's YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ErikDarlingData
What's up with Tech Interviews in 2023? With Jeremiah Peschka.
August 11, 2023 19:04 - 29 minutes - 25.6 MBTech interviews are weird and wacky. How did they get this way, and how SHOULD they be? Jeremiah Peschka joins us to discuss.
Data Roles: DBA, DBRE, and Data Engineer
August 04, 2023 18:58 - 24 minutes - 16.7 MBThere are lots of jobs for data folks. In this episode, I'm discussing three hot job titles: Database Administrator (DBA), Database Reliability Engineer (DBRE), and Data Engineer (DE) To see the venn diagrams I made for these roles, visit https://catalyzesql.com/blog/1/01/01/dear-sql-dba-data-roles-dba-dbre-de/
When NOT to choose SQL Server to store your data
June 22, 2023 20:21 - 14 minutes - 16.6 MBI wrote a blog post inspired by Stephen Vakil's excellent suggested interview question, but I inverted it: When should you NOT choose SQL Server to store your data? My thoughts: * When you don't actually need a database * When you're not using structured data * When you want pure analytics, or something other than a workload involving OLTP * When you need to write to multiple nodes for a single database * When your team wants a PAAS solution (lil pedantic on this, the hosted versions ...
Down Tools Week 2020
August 05, 2020 16:22 - 9 minutes - 13.5 MBIt's Down Tools Week at Redgate. I share what "Down Tools Week" is, what I'm working on this week, and why I think it's a terrific experience for fostering creativity, innovation, and teamwork. In closing I share some thoughts on variations of this kind of project which you might use in your own organization, whether you are a developer, DBA, or have another role.
3 Things That Shouldn't Be Normal in Database Development
July 23, 2020 09:28 - 28 minutes - 38.5 MBMany people use entrenched processes for database development that have been in place so long that it's hard to imagine doing it any other way. In this episode, I share three things that should NOT be normal for database development-- but which are incredibly common. This episode is inspired by the book, "The Unicorn Project", by Gene Kim.
Everything I Never Wanted to Know about Collation
July 16, 2020 11:29 - 13 minutes - 19 MBI'm not an expert on collation in SQL Server, but there are a few important facts which I've had to learn the hard way. In this episode I share the basics, along with helpful resources to learn more. One small localization correction: the default collation on a SQL Server install will be "the oldest available version that's associated with each specific locale." So if your Windows installation has a different localization than mine (which are generally English USA), then you'll see a diffe...
The Manager's Guide to Git Training for DBAs
July 08, 2020 17:23 - 19 minutes - 26 MBLearning Git can be daunting for DBAs. In this 20 minute episode, I discuss why learning a VCS is necessary for DBAs, then give three tips on scoping your project, choosing the right tools, and making sure the project is successful. The cheat sheet I mention in the episode is at https://littlekendra.com/2019/11/27/my-git-cli-cheat-sheet/
How Do Developers and DBAs Collaborate in a DevOps World?
June 12, 2019 23:59 - 41 minutes - 76.7 MBYou're a DBA, and your development team is all-in on doing DevOps, and they want to include the database. Should your DBA team limit the permissions or options for automation? Or should you instead re-think how your two teams work together? In this episode, Kendra discusses DevOps team topologies, the changing role of DBA teams in DevOps, and the opportunities available in creating communities of practice around database development.
What a Software Evangelist Does - and Where the Job is Going
January 29, 2019 00:59 - 21 minutes - 39.7 MBI've been working as an 'Evangelist' at Redgate for close to six months now, and one question keeps coming up: what exactly does an Evangelist do at a software company? In 21 minutes, I explain the core mission of Evangelists, and why I think being part of the sales process is an important part of the future of software evangelism.
DBA Jobs: Threats and Opportunities
January 17, 2019 21:51 - 34 minutes - 64.1 MBJobs change over time, and database administrator jobs are no different. In this 35 minute recorded Twitch livestream (my first ever!) I talk about threats to DBA jobs and the related opportunities.
DevOps Terms - and Why They Matter to Database Specialists
October 02, 2018 21:39 - 19 minutes - 26.6 MBIn this session, I discuss scrum, continuous deployment, test driven development, DevOps, and related concepts. I close with a quick discussion of why Database Administrators and Developers should care about DevOps.
Employee Agreements & Contracts - Best Practices
August 29, 2018 15:22 - 23 minutes - 42.7 MBSo you've got an employee agreement in front of you: now what? In this 23 minute episode, I talk about practical steps you should take to make sure that you understand the terms of your contract, and how to potentially negotiate the terms.
Employee Agreements & Contracts for DBAs & Developers - Anti-Patterns
August 11, 2018 01:00 - 31 minutes - 58.1 MBWhen you take a new job in software engineering or in IT, within the paperwork there often lurks an employee agreement: a contract between you and your employer. In this half-hour live episode we'll talk about why these contracts exist, and multiple anti-patterns you should avoid. This is the first of a two part series. In the next episode, we'll talk best practices for understanding and negotiating the contract.
Remembering Robert Davis, DBA Hero
August 01, 2018 22:38 - 19 minutes - 36.3 MBWhat makes a person a DBA Hero? In this episode, I talk about how Robert Davis made a huge impact on the SQL Server community, and the traits that Robert displayed that I hope to emulate.
Why Don't You Teach Service Broker?
July 19, 2018 00:31 - 23 minutes - 43.5 MBI've gotten a few questions about whether I recommend learning Service Broker, and recently I was asked if I'm planning to make any courses on Service Broker. In this episode, I talk about why I personally haven't become an expert with Broker, the factors that I believe play into Service Broker adoption, and other resources online for learning Service Broker in SQL Server.
Training Resources for SQL Noobs
June 13, 2018 22:28 - 29 minutes - 54.1 MBNew to learning SQL Server? Get the scoop on free online resources to look up information, ask questions of community members, and learn SQL Server from the ground up. Links from the episode are at: https://sqlworkbooks.com/dear-sql-dba/training-resources-for-sql-noobs/
Dealing With a Lack of Control as a DBA
May 18, 2018 00:29 - 34 minutes - 64.9 MBThis week I discuss a question that I've gotten in many forms over the years - a lot of the scenarios are so specific that it's hard to keep them anonymous, but they can be generalized as a bigger problem: how do I deal with being responsible for things that I can't fully control? DBAs have huge responsibilities, so this is a common, frustrating scenario. In this episode, I talk about a few times that I've experienced this in my own life, what techniques didn't work, and what strategies we...
Do DBAs Need College Degrees?
May 03, 2018 13:00 - 31 minutes - 57.9 MBOur question this week comes from someone who's excited to be on a healthy career path, building their work experience as a DBA. They're worried: will lacking a college degree block their career growth down the line? I talk about my experience and also check out current job listings to answer the question.
How Do I Prepare for Certification Exams?
April 23, 2018 14:00 - 29 minutes - 55.4 MBIn this episode, I talk about how to strategize for and prepare for Microsoft Certification exams, using the Database Fundamentals exam as an example.
I Want to Work for Myself
April 05, 2018 22:42 - 31 minutes - 58.7 MBOur question this week comes from an IT pro who would like to be self-employed. In this episode, I talk about three big things you need to think about to start working for yourself, and two possible paths to get there.
Auto-Tuning and the #1 Mindset Problem I had as a DBA
December 01, 2017 23:49 - 18 minutes - 33.8 MBA few folks have asked: will auto-tuning and adaptive query plans mean the end of performance tuning jobs in SQL Server? In this week's episode, I talk about why I'm excited about those features rather than afraid of them. Digging into this problem, I share the #1 mindset problem I had as a DBA, why this mindset is so common among database professionals, and a daily habit that can change your approach to new technology.
Slowing Down Your Motor Mouth - Presentation Tips for Fast Talkers
November 17, 2017 22:00 - 18 minutes - 33.9 MBAre you worried that you talk too fast when you give a speech, talk, or presentation? Is fear being a fast-talker one of the concerns that keeps you from getting started with public speaking? In this episode, I give you simple, practical tips that I've used to successfully improve the way I give presentations. Four years ago, I got frustrated feedback from listeners who had a hard time keeping up with my mouth; now I get congratulations that the pace was great.
I Thought I Was An Introvert. Turns Out I Was Anxious as #@*(
November 08, 2017 00:49 - 43 minutes - 81.5 MBIn this week's episode, I'm not answering a reader's question. Instead, I'm talking about my personal experience with anxiety. This episode touches on on healthcare, religion, and squishy emotions -- and there's at least one curse word. I don't talk tech in this episode. (Don't worry, there's more of that coming in future weeks.)
The Death of SQL Server Service Packs
October 05, 2017 21:00 - 11 minutes - 21.4 MBSQL Server Service Packs are going away, starting with SQL Server 2017. I talk about why I think this is a good thing, and discuss Cumulative Updates, Service Packs, and the process of updating SQL Server.
Love and Hate for SSMS
September 28, 2017 22:00 - 17 minutes - 32.2 MBPeople have strong feelings about SQL Server Management Studio: they love it AND they hate it. In this week's episode, I talk about why people have such conflicting feelings about SSMS, and how to work it all out.
How Do I Analyze a SQL Server Execution Plan?
September 22, 2017 13:00 - 26 minutes - 48.9 MBA query is slow, and you figure out how to collect the query execution plan. Now what? In this episode I talk "big picture" about what execution plans are, what "cost" is, why to collect "compiled for" values, and the steps I take to analyze execution plans while performance tuning queries.
Do I Need to Master PowerShell?
September 12, 2017 13:00 - 9 minutes - 16.9 MBAs a SQL Server DBA, do you need to be a killer with scripts? In this episode I talk about how much you need to know about PowerShell, and examples of ways I personally use (and struggle with) PowerShell.
SQL PASS Summit 2017: Why I'm Excited, and Tips on Attending
September 07, 2017 13:00 - 18 minutes - 34.2 MBI'll be attending and presenting at the SQL PASS Summit in Seattle Washington this year from Oct 31-Nov 3. In this week's episode, I share why I'm excited about going, and why I've purchased a seat for a pre-conference session. (Spoiler: pre-cons are awesome!) I also give my tips on how to get the MOST value out of a big conference like the PASS Summit.
How Do You Stay Motivated?
August 31, 2017 19:13 - 14 minutes - 27.6 MBOver the years, readers have asked me: "How do you stay motivated?" Sticking with a learning plan, blogging, or becoming a public speaker isn't easy. In this episode I share how I think about motivation and what keeps me going.
"I faked my resume... now what?"
August 24, 2017 19:23 - 13 minutes - 25.2 MBThis week's question from a reader: how do I deal with interview questions asking about real-world scenarios when I've faked three years of experience on my resume?
Interview Advice from the SQL Server Community
August 17, 2017 13:00 - 8 minutes - 15.6 MBIn this episode, I talk about three articles written by members of the SQL Server community on interviewing that I can't stop thinking about: "Playing the Third Party Recruiter Game", by Adam Machanic - http://sqlblog.com/blogs/adam_machanic/archive/2017/08/08/playing-the-third-party-recruiter-game-t-sql-tuesday-093.aspx "I Hate Interviews", by Rob Sewell - https://sqldbawithabeard.com/2017/08/08/i-hate-interviews-tsql2sday/ "Learning to say 'No'" by Mark Broadbent - https://tenbulls.c...
Interview Patterns and Anti-Patterns
August 08, 2017 13:00 - 15 minutes - 29.1 MBHear the story of an interview where my dreams were crushed - and what I learned about interviewing from the experience.
Which Queries are Causing my Wait Stats?
May 25, 2017 13:00 - 34 minutes - 65 MBYou've got some troubling wait stats in SQL Server. How can you tell which queries are causing those waits? Kendra discusses the pros and cons of different techniques to track down the cause of both common and tricky waits in SQL Server, including CXPACKET, PAGEIOLATCH, LCK, RESOURCE_SEMAPHORE, and THREADPOOL waits.
Removing Query Hints with Plan Guides
May 18, 2017 13:00 - 29 minutes - 55.8 MBIf you need to add, remove, or replace hints from ad-hoc queries and you can't change the code, plan guides can help. See a demo of removing hints from parameterized TSQL run from an application, and get tips on how to make your plan guides work in SQL Server. Get code samples from this episode here: https://sqlworkbooks.com/2017/05/removing-query-hints-with-plan-guides-dear-sql-dba-episode-43/
Batch Mode Hacks in SQL Server
May 11, 2017 13:00 - 30 minutes - 57.1 MBLearn what batch mode is in SQL Server, and how you can trick SQL Server into using it (even without a "real" columnstore index). For clickable links and demo code, head to https://sqlworkbooks.com/2017/05/batch-mode-hacks-for-rowstore-queries-in-sql-server/
Should I Get Certified as a DBA?
May 04, 2017 13:00 - 17 minutes - 32.7 MBFind out if getting certified will help you land an entry level DBA job, and if you do want to get certified, get Kendra's tips on preparing for the exam.
How Does a DBA Build Confidence After Making Mistakes?
April 27, 2017 13:00 - 19 minutes - 36.4 MBEver had a database change go horribly wrong? It can feel awful in the moment, then eat away at your confidence for days afterward. In this 20 minute episode Kendra gives you practical steps that help you cope with change over the course of your DBA career.
Are Bad Statistics Making My Query Slow?
April 20, 2017 13:00 - 35 minutes - 65.5 MBAn important query is suddenly slow. Is it because statistics are out of date? This is tricky to figure out, and updating statistics right away can make troubleshooting even harder. Learn how to use query execution plans to get to the heart of the question and find out if stats are really your problem, or if it's something else. In this 35 minute episode: 00:39 SQL Server 2017 Announced 01:10 New video from Microsoft's Joe Sack demonstrating Adaptive Query Processing 03:05 This week's qu...
Index Maintenance and Performance
April 13, 2017 13:00 - 28 minutes - 53.7 MBThey made their index maintenance job smarter, and their queries got slower in production afterward. Could the index maintenance have harmed performance? In this episode... 00:50 Thinking about plan freezing in Query Store and multi-team process 03:15 This week's question about index maintenance and query performance
Lock Timeouts & Memory
April 06, 2017 13:00 - 19 minutes - 35.9 MBThe dev server got bogged down during a deployment and lock timeouts were everywhere. Was the perfmon counter way off about how much memory was being used just for locks? In this episode... 00:33 What's new @ SQL Workbooks: Down the Rabbit Hole 03:00 This week's question about lock timeouts & memory in SQL Server
Why is my Transaction Log Growing in My Availability Group?
March 30, 2017 13:00 - 29 minutes - 55.4 MBA database transaction log is expanding, even though the DBA is running log backups and doesn't see an open transaction? What's going on with this Availability Group? Timestamps in this episode if you want to skip ahead: 00:49 What's new @ SQL Workbooks 03:22 Info on SQLPASS Summit Content Survey & a heads-up for aspiring precon speakers 05:35 This week's question about t-log growth
When SQL Server Does NOT Use Write Ahead Logging
March 23, 2017 13:00 - 23 minutes - 43.6 MBA few episodes ago, I talked about how learning about Write Ahead Logging was a light bulb moment for me, and helped me learn tons of concepts about backups and recovery. This week, we talk about when SQL Server turns things upside down and doesn't use write ahead logging: and what it has to do for recovery in these special cases.
Using a Tail Log Backup in a SQL Server Migration
March 16, 2017 13:00 - 13 minutes - 25.2 MBWhen you migrate a database, it can be useful to prove that you moved all the data and didn't miss any transactions. Learn how to use a tail log backup in a migration scenario.
Stack Dumps in SQL Server
March 09, 2017 14:00 - 20 minutes - 39 MBLearn what a Stack Dump is in SQL Server. Hear what happens when Kendra causes a stack dump against a test SQL Server instance under load. Learn how to find information about stack dumps on your SQL Server, and how to escalate them when required.
WAL: The concept that makes recovery models & backups make sense
March 02, 2017 14:00 - 18 minutes - 33.6 MBWhen you're a Junior DBA, it's really hard to take in all the information out there. Learn about write ahead logging: the concept that can help you make sense of recovery models and backup strategies in SQL Server. Kendra tells the story of the "Wow!" moment when she learned about write ahead logging from Kimberly Tripp of SQLSkills.com, and explains how this all works in SQL Server.