boB 'The Tool Man' Taylor
The place to go for SQL Server tools, tricks, and tips
An interesting customer question explained
While at a customer today I was given an interesting question. The individual was writing reports...
Date: 10/02/2018
Next on the Menu - A new tool! xel2sql
Based on a request by Microsoft Test Consultant Robert George, this SQL Snacks™ along with a tool I...
Date: 08/20/2018
Next on the Menu - Why is that recompiling?
In this short SQL Snacks™ we will look at a question that arose while I was at a customer site....
Date: 08/13/2018
Next on the Menu - XE Profiler
In this short SQL Snacks™ we will examine a feature introduced in SQL Server Management Studio...
Date: 08/06/2018
Next on the Menu - counter, histogram, and pair matching targets
In this SQL Snack™ I will examine the three remaining targets (I don't plan on covering the ETW sync...
Date: 07/30/2018
Next on the Menu – event file target for Azure SQL Database
In this SQL Snacks™ we will examine the techniques required to implement the file target for an...
Date: 07/23/2018
Next on the Menu – event file target deep dive
In this SQL Snacks™ we will examine the event file target. Along the way we will unlock the magic of...
Date: 07/23/2018
Next on the Menu - Ring Buffer Target Deep Dive
In this SQL Snacks™ we will examine the Ring Buffer Extended Event target. Arguably the most...
Date: 07/16/2018
Thanks to your feedback - SqlCommandFilters has been improved!
Thanks to reader EricEJ I have added an extension method to SqlCommandFilters which means instead of...
Date: 07/12/2018
Next on the Menu - a reusable pattern for parsing Xevent data
In this SQL Snacks™ I will demonstrate a simple, three step process for writing a Transact-SQL...
Date: 07/09/2018
Next on our Menu - Extended Events Targets Overview
This week's SQL Snacks™ we will examine the available target types. As we have discussed in previous...
Date: 07/02/2018
Next on the Menu - Extended Events User Interface in SSMS
This week's SQL Snacks™ is so nutritionally dense, I had to split it into two parts. (Actually MSDN...
Date: 06/25/2018
Next on the menu - Extended Events Architecture
In this SQL Snacks™ we will examine the architecture of the Extended Events system in SQL Server....
Date: 06/18/2018
For your dining pleasure - the first SQL Meals™ is now being served
In this first ever SQL Meals™ we will start with an introduction to the Extended Events system in...
Date: 06/11/2018
Hungry for SQL Server training? Introducing SQL Meals™ and SQL Snacks™
As part of my new role in the Cross Domain Delivery test team I have been asked to create a video...
Date: 06/07/2018
Connect To SQL… a utility for C# programmers–Part 3
Just a quick note to let everyone know that the code has been published on CodePlex Simply search...
Date: 09/08/2016
Connect To SQL… a utility for C# programmers– Part 2
Today we will examine the code that connects to our database and showcases the code used to...
Date: 09/07/2016
SqlCommandFilters–a tool for every toolbox
SqlCommandFilters is a utility assembly that will automatically parse your SqlCommand.CommandText...
Date: 08/24/2016
Connect To SQL… a utility for C# programmers
You are writing a tool for SQL programmers by using C#, SQL Management Objects etc. You need to...
Date: 03/23/2016
It’s been awhile…
I have started a new role as a Data Platform Solution Architect in the Health and Life Sciences...
Date: 03/22/2016
CSI: Replication–the mysterious vanishing row
I have been working with a customer on an interesting situation. On occasion they have replication...
Date: 09/16/2013
Registration for Advanced Certification Programs is easier than ever!
The Advanced Certification team at Microsoft is pleased to announce a new,streamlined registration...
Date: 08/09/2012
Episode 2 Now Live!
The second episode of the web reality show Be the Next Microsoft Employee #bethenext is now live!...
Date: 07/31/2012
Guest Judge For Be The Next Microsoft Employee
I’m a guest judge on new reality show, #bethenext Microsoft Employee, for a #SQLserver...
Date: 07/10/2012
Tech Ed 2012 - A 20th Anniversary Celebration. Wish you were here!
Tech Ed has been wonderful this year, a chance to meet up with old friends, make new old friends and...
Date: 06/12/2012
Its been a while for a new tool...
Watch for the announcement at Tech Ed and Tech Ed Europe! The new tool will be named SQLPie. I would...
Date: 05/16/2012
I have contributed to two new upcomgin MSPress Titles
I was the technical reviewer for William Stanek's SQL Server 2012 Administrator's Pocket Consultant...
Date: 04/20/2012
Tidying up my Twitter accounts
In the past I have used one Twitter account to tweet about SQL Server, my magic and my mentalism. I...
Date: 04/20/2012
Obtaining actual Request Durations with the StorPort driver logging HotFix
Here is a common scenario - you are performing a benchmark operation. You run your PerfMon file...
Date: 04/05/2012
Wow - how could I forget?
I was in Atlanta uyesterday speaking as part of the SQL Server Special Ops Tour - we had overflow...
Date: 03/06/2012
The holidays are over - back to work!
I plan on releasing the next installment of The Extended Events series on Monday so watch for that....
Date: 01/05/2012
Power Tools: Instruction Manual
Just like any good tool man, whenever you get a new tool The first thing you should do is to read...
Date: 12/12/2011
Power Tools: SQL Server 2012 Extended Events
In this series I will examine an important tool in the DBA's toolbox - Extended Events While...
Date: 12/02/2011
The Tool Man brings you Power Tools...
Starting on December 1st 2011, I will be publishing a series of blog posts that are deep dives into...
Date: 11/28/2011
Compression Estimator to be featured in the September issue of SQL Server Magazine / back from Holiday
Kevin Kline of Quest Software writes a regular column titled 'Tool Time' (how is that for synergy)....
Date: 08/22/2011
Compression Estimator Version 1.0.3.0 fixes a script generation bug
Thanks to CodePlex member masteroz who pointed out conidtions where the resulting SQL script...
Date: 05/23/2011
SQL Diag Configuration Tool Version 1.0.1.0 has been released
This release fixes a potentially serious bug which could produce mal-formed XML. Please get the...
Date: 05/20/2011
Compression Estimator V1.0.2.0 is now available
Thanks to feedback from you, I have released version 1.0.2.0 of Compression Estimator. This is...
Date: 05/17/2011
Compression Estimator V1.0.1.0 Now Available
Thanks to all for your feedback. Version 1.0.1.0 is now released and it contains the following...
Date: 05/13/2011
My apologies
I had missed a checkbox on CodePlex which prevented the download from being visible. It has been...
Date: 05/09/2011
Now Available! A smaller, leaner database
As promised, I have released my SQL Server Compression Estimator tool to https://ssce.codeplex.com/...
Date: 05/09/2011
Shifting to UTC time by using the datetimeoffset data type
As the world moves to a global economy, it becomes more and more important to capture time...
Date: 05/09/2011
Coming Soon! A Smaller, Leaner Database
Watch for the announcement of the soon to be released Compression Estimator Tool. This tool will...
Date: 05/05/2011
SQL Iterators: Making the Life of a SQL Server DBA That Much Easier
Share Many Microsoft SQL Server DBAs automate as many of their day to day processes as possible,...
Date: 05/02/2011
The Wait is Finally Over! SQL Diag Configuration Tool released on CodePlex
The wait is finally over! The SQLDiag Configuration Tool has been released. One of the most heavily...
Date: 05/02/2011