SQL Server auditing with Server and Database audit specifications

Auditing is a key feature in any application or any system as it provides end users with better analysis for administrators. Apart from analysis, auditing can be used as a troubleshooting mechanism too. Apart from organizational reasons, there are compliance reasons for enabling auditing depending on the domain of operation.

Read more at https://www.sqlshack.com/sql-server-auditing-server-database-audit-specifications/

Not Align UI

Look at the following screen you will see in SQL Server when configuring Audit.

Where is the aligning?

New T-SQL Commands in SQL Server 2017

Despite the maturity of TSQL, SQL Server 2017 still introduces several new features which to the T-SQL family which can be very useful in database development.

http://www.sql-server-performance.com/2017/new-t-sql-commands-in-sql-server-2017/

Microsoft Releases SQL Server 2012 Service Pack 4

Microsoft today announced that the final service pack for SQL Server 2012 is now available for download.

The latest official release for the half-decade-old version of Microsoft's database management system includes a rollup of all hotfixes released over the years and focuses on scalability and performance improvements, especially on newer hardware. 

The final service pack also includes:

• Enhancements to dynamic management views (DMV), extended events, and query plans to provide additional monitoring capabilities.
• Consistency check performance improvements.
• Increased diagnostic tools in showplan XML.
• Resource Governor query hints, which Microsoft said will provide increased granular control.
• Performance improvements when accessing XEL files in the XEvent Linq reader.
• Database cloning, which will copy the schema and metadata (without the actual data) for troubleshooting.
• Spatial queries performance improvements.

Microsoft To Deliver Monthly Feature Updates to SQL Server 2017

Microsoft announced this week that a faster update release pace will be coming to its newly announced SQL Server 2017 product.

Microsoft unveiled SQL Server 2017 this week at its Ignite event, indicating that new database management system will be generally available on Oct. 2 of this year. On Thursday, Microsoft described the update approach it plans to adopt with SQL Server 2017, in an announcement.

Read More at https://redmondmag.com/articles/2017/09/29/sql-server-2017-monthly-feature-updates.aspx

In-database Machine Learning in SQL Server 2017

With the release of SQL Server 2017, now you have an option of In-Database machine learning capabilities.
Read more at https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/dataplatforminsider/2017/09/26/in-database-machine-learning-in-sql-server-2017/

Microsoft Announces SQL Server 2017 Launch

Last week at the Microsoft Ignite conference, Microsoft announced that SQL Server 2017 will be generally available on Oct. 2. This comes only 15 months or so after launching SQL Server 2016. Microsoft's rapid development means more frequent releases, which delivers more value to customers who pay for Software Assurance (SA). It also means that more features are delivered more frequently, which aligns to their Azure SQL Database platform, which is usually updated on a monthly basis.

Read more at https://redmondmag.com/articles/2017/09/25/microsoft-launches-sql-server-2017.aspx

Five Technologies Microsoft 'Ignited' this Week

Microsoft announced updates and improvements across its products and services at its annual Ignite conference this week in Orlando. Cloud storage functionalities took precedence, but the major tech company did not cast off its software foundation..
Here are five major technologies Microsoft is upgrading:

1. Artificial intelligence and machine learning
2. Azure cloud
3. Office 2019
4. Microsoft 365 F1
5. Microsoft Teams


SQL server 2017 includes advanced ML within the database service, and the newest iteration of Azure Machine Learning launches experimentation service, model management service and a workbench for developers and data scientists, according to an announcement. Microsoft is extending AI in Office and Windows, and the tech will serve as the foundation of new intelligent virtual agents for customer service and interaction.

Read more at http://www.ciodive.com/news/5-technologies-microsoft-ignited-this-week/505953/

SQL Server 2016 RTM Cumulative Update #8 Released!

SQL Server 2016 RTM Cumulative Update #8 addresses 19 issues. As part of the ISMv2 initiative, we are now maintaining the latest CU per mainstream supported baseline on the Download Center versus the hotfix server. This eliminates the registration requirement and helps move customers to the latest CU available regardless of when the issue was originally addressed.

This CU will be available for download from Download Center. The associated cumulative KB article, KB4040713, has also been published. Customers are directed to obtain the hotfix package through the new self-service feature by clicking on the Hotfix Download link found at the top of the KB article.

As we look towards the next Cumulative Update we welcome any suggestions you may have to improve future Cumulative Updates. Please send your suggestions and feedback using the MVP discussion alias.

Hotfixes

Successful release of Cumulative Update 8 is a testament to the commitment of the many teams within the SQL BU, who are finding solutions to provide a better customer experience. The coordination, determination and execution between all the SQL BU teams were instrumental in continuing the SQL Release team’s long standing track record for on time release of Cumulative Updates.

12 Microsoft Power BI Success Stories

Self-service BI is on the rise among forward-thinking organizations, enabling business users to obtain up-to-the-minute business information in graphical form on demand — with little to no IT intervention. Since the release of Microsoft Power BI, organizations around the world have been turning to the cloud-based service for self-service business intelligence tools that allow users to analyze, visualize and share data using the familiar Microsoft Excel spreadsheet. Here are 12 success stories built on Microsoft Power BI.

Read more https://www.cio.com.au/article/626101/12-microsoft-power-bi-success-stories/?fp=4&fpid=51241

First Release Candidate of SQL Server 2017 Now Available

Release Candidate 1 (RC1), which is now available for download. This means that development work for the new version of SQL Server is complete along most dimensions needed to bring the industry-leading performance and security of SQL Server to Windows, Linux, and Docker containers.
Read more https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/dataplatforminsider/2017/07/17/first-release-candidate-of-sql-server-2017-now-available/

Predicting Hospital Length of Stay

For Hospital management make decisions on how to staff personnel, in real-time, based on patients currently admitted and what treatment is needed,it will be better of they can understand the what is the duration of the patient.
SQL Server 2016, R, and Cortana Analysis was used for this solution.

How much do you really know about SQL Server 2016 licensing?

Licensing is something I have very very little understanding. I believe it is same with many technical guys. This will give you some understanding about SQL Server 2016 licensing.

Read more at http://searchsqlserver.techtarget.com/quiz/How-much-do-you-really-know-about-SQL-Server-2016-licensing

SQL Server Sizing Guide

This document can be used when configuring hardware for physical and virtual SQL servers. It should be used as a guideline, with actual configuration depending on size of databases, reports, and types of usage.

Read more at http://www.ceservices.com/sites/default/files/resources/docs-protected/CES_SQLServerSizing.pdf

CAST and TRY_CAST

We always face issues with casting. When we write casting we expect, it to be in required data type. However, often we see there error with CAST when the correct data is not provided. This might cause entire process to fail.

This issue can be avoided in SQL Server 2012 with TRY_CAST.

Best Practices for SQL Server Deployment in Healthcare

Though this article is specific about SQL Server security in health care,  we can apply the same principals for other environments as well,

Read more at http://healthitsecurity.com/news/best-practices-for-sql-server-deployment-in-healthcare

SQL Server 2017 to add Python support

One of the major announcements from Data Amp event was that SQL Server 2017 will add Python as a supported language.

Read more at http://blog.revolutionanalytics.com/2017/04/sql-2017-python.html

Magic Quadrant for Data Management Solutions for Analytics

Microsoft was leading in the Gartner quarter for while and Oracle was not promising in this. However, with the 2017 results, landscape has changed.



You can read the details at https://www.gartner.com/doc/reprints?id=1-3T5J67S&ct=170209&st=sb

Microsoft Brings New Capabilities to HDInsight and DocumentDB

Microsoft is headed to San Jose this week where they will be announcing new features for HDInsight and DocumentDB at Strata Hadoop + World. Additionally, the company is also announcing a new preview for SQL Server as well.

DocumentDB is Microsoft’s fully-managed NoSQL database service that is designed to help developers build highly scalable applications. The service, which offers guaranteed single-digit millisecond low latency at the 99th percentile, is adding support for Apache Spark.

Read more at https://www.petri.com/microsoft-brings-new-capabilities-hdinsight-documentdb

 

Confused with Big Data, Data Science and Data Analytics

Often people confused with Big Data, Data Science and Data Analytics. Are they same or different.
This link will give you an idea about what are they, what skills you need and what are the salary levels.

Read more to get further details https://intellipaat.com/blog/compare-big-data-data-science-data-analytics/

The Future of Managing Databases in a Hybrid IT World

When you work in information technology long enough, you get to see how people react when something new comes along. Some people embrace change, even to the point of being an early adopter. Others might use a wait-and-see approach. And then there is the group of people who are afraid of change in any form. 

Read more at http://sqlmag.com/sql-server/future-managing-databases-hybrid-it-world

DB-Engines Ranking

It is very common to compare the databases for marketing or for fun. http://db-engines.com/en/ranking has done the ranking for the database engine.

SQL Server has the major gain while Oracle has the major slip though it is still gaining the number one position. Following is the trend for the ranking of Database Engine.