Data Roles: DBA, DBRE, and Data Engineer

Dear SQL DBA

#Tech #Tech News #Sqlserver #Sqlworkbooks #News #Kendra Littles #DBA #Database

30:55

A secret field that summons lightning. A massive spiral that disappears into a salt lake. A celestial observatory carved into a volcano. Meet the wild—and sometimes explosive—world of land art, where artists craft masterpieces with dynamite and bulldozers. In our Season 2 premiere, guest Dylan Thuras, cofounder of Atlas Obscura, takes us off road and into the minds of the artists who literally reshaped parts of the Southwest. These works aren’t meant to be easy to reach—or to explain—but they just might change how you see the world. Land art you’ll visit in this episode: - Double Negative and City by Michael Heizer (Garden Valley, Nevada) - Spiral Jetty by Robert Smithson (Great Salt Lake, Utah) - Sun Tunnels by Nancy Holt (Great Basin Desert, Utah) - Lightning Field by Walter De Maria (Catron County, New Mexico) - Roden Crater by James Turrell (Painted Desert, Arizona) Via Podcast is a production of AAA Mountain West Group.…

2 years ago 24:52

MP3•Episode home

There 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/

82 episodes

Data Roles: DBA, DBRE, and Data Engineer

Dear SQL DBA

22 subscribers

published 2 years ago

MP3•Episode home

82 episodes

#Tech #Tech News #Sqlserver #Sqlworkbooks #News #Kendra Littles #DBA #Database

All episodes

1
Erik Darling and Kendra Little Rate SQL Server Perf Tuning Techniques 1:04:36

52 weeks ago1:04:36

1:04:36

Erik Darling joins Kendra Little to rate different SQL Server Performance Tuning Techniques in episode 81 of the Dear SQL DBA podcast. We share our opinions of... (deep breath) Recompile hints, Query Store hints and plan forcing, CTEs, Resource Governor, the legacy cardinality estimator, Table Variables, Automatic Plan Correction, Batch Mode, index rebuilds, Hekaton, NOLOCK, page compression, partitioning, filtered indexes, columnstore, join hints, PSPO, indexed hints, indexed views, optimize for unknown, RCSI, adding more memory, restarting the damn thing, scalar UDFs, and Persisted Memory Grant Feedback.…

1
Power BI Performance Tuning with Eugene Meidinger 53:54

1 year ago53:54

53:54

Eugene 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 those lucky spots, use code RACOONS to get 50% off. Find more of Eugene's content at sqlgene.com.…

1
Automated Deployments and the Art of the Database with Database Michael J Swart 1:05:28

2 years ago1:05:28

1:05:28

In 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/ .…

1
Jer and Kendar Explore Optimized Locking 28:57

2 years ago28:57

28:57

SQL 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…

1
Advice for Technical Leaders with Alex Robson 1:00:28

2 years ago1:00:28

1:00:28

Ever 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 believe Camille Fournier and Will Larson are wonderful writers with invaluable insights and advice. For product thinking, I recommend folks read The Lean Startup by Eric Ries, Principles of Lean Product Development Flow by Don Reinertsen, Safer Sooner Happier by Jonathan Smart, and Accelerate by Dr. Nicole Forsgren. Be sure to read books on leadership that are outside of engineering. Dan Pink’s Drive and Eliyahu Goldratt’s The Goal are two of my usual recommendations. Last but not least - read books that are about human behavior. Both economists and psychologists ask important questions that may help you unlock better ways to relate to and understand others. I love Daniel Kahneman’s Thinking Fast and Slow, and highly recommend Mistakes Were Made (but not by me) by Carol Tavins and Elliot Aronson."…

1
Erik Darling on Performance Tuning 52:45

2 years ago52:45

52:45

SQL 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…

1
What's up with Tech Interviews in 2023? With Jeremiah Peschka. 29:06

2 years ago29:06

29:06

Tech interviews are weird and wacky. How did they get this way, and how SHOULD they be? Jeremiah Peschka joins us to discuss.

1
Data Roles: DBA, DBRE, and Data Engineer 24:52

2 years ago24:52

24:52

1
When NOT to choose SQL Server to store your data 14:19

2 years ago14:19

14:19

I 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 are slightly different) * When your team needs a cheap solution What do you think? This podcast is available in blog post form: https://littlekendra.com/2023/06/21/when-not-to-choose-sql-server/…

1
Down Tools Week 2020 9:52

5 years ago9:52

9:52

It'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.…

1
3 Things That Shouldn't Be Normal in Database Development 28:12

5 years ago28:12

28:12

Many 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.…

1
Everything I Never Wanted to Know about Collation 13:53

5 years ago13:53

13:53

I'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 different default collation -- but it still won't be the recommended collation for *new* development.…

1
The Manager's Guide to Git Training for DBAs 19:02

5 years ago19:02

19:02

Learning 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/…

1
How Do Developers and DBAs Collaborate in a DevOps World? 41:07

6 years ago41:07

41:07

You'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.…

1
What a Software Evangelist Does - and Where the Job is Going 21:25

6 years ago21:25

21:25

I'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.…

Dear SQL DBA

1
DBA Jobs: Threats and Opportunities 34:36

6 years ago34:36

34:36

Jobs 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.

Dear SQL DBA

1
DevOps Terms - and Why They Matter to Database Specialists 19:31

7 years ago19:31

19:31

In 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.

Dear SQL DBA

1
Employee Agreements & Contracts - Best Practices 23:00

7 years ago23:00

23:00

So 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.

Dear SQL DBA

1
Employee Agreements & Contracts for DBAs & Developers - Anti-Patterns 31:20

7 years ago31:20

31:20

When 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.…

Dear SQL DBA

1
Remembering Robert Davis, DBA Hero 19:34

7 years ago19:34

19:34

What 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.

Dear SQL DBA

1
Why Don't You Teach Service Broker? 23:17

7 years ago23:17

23:17

I'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.…

Dear SQL DBA

1
Training Resources for SQL Noobs 29:10

7 years ago29:10

29:10

New 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/

Dear SQL DBA

1
Dealing With a Lack of Control as a DBA 34:44

7 years ago34:44

34:44

This 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 were more effective.…

Dear SQL DBA

1
Do DBAs Need College Degrees? 31:06

7 years ago31:06

31:06

Our 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.…

Dear SQL DBA

1
How Do I Prepare for Certification Exams? 29:31

7 years ago29:31

29:31

In this episode, I talk about how to strategize for and prepare for Microsoft Certification exams, using the Database Fundamentals exam as an example.

Dear SQL DBA

1
I Want to Work for Myself 31:32

7 years ago31:32

31:32

Our 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.

Dear SQL DBA

1
Auto-Tuning and the #1 Mindset Problem I had as a DBA 18:10

7 years ago18:10

18:10

A 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.…

Dear SQL DBA

1
Slowing Down Your Motor Mouth - Presentation Tips for Fast Talkers 18:13

8 years ago18:13

18:13

Are 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.…

Dear SQL DBA

1
I Thought I Was An Introvert. Turns Out I Was Anxious as #@*( 43:46

8 years ago43:46

43:46

In 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.)…

Dear SQL DBA

1
The Death of SQL Server Service Packs 11:32

8 years ago11:32

11:32

SQL 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.

Dear SQL DBA

1
Love and Hate for SSMS 17:21

8 years ago17:21

17:21

People 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.

Dear SQL DBA

1
How Do I Analyze a SQL Server Execution Plan? 26:18

8 years ago26:18

26:18

A 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.

Dear SQL DBA

1
Do I Need to Master PowerShell? 9:06

8 years ago9:06

9:06

As 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.

Dear SQL DBA

1
SQL PASS Summit 2017: Why I'm Excited, and Tips on Attending 18:25

8 years ago18:25

18:25

I'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.…

Dear SQL DBA

1
How Do You Stay Motivated? 14:51

8 years ago14:51

14:51

Over 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.

Dear SQL DBA

1
"I faked my resume... now what?" 13:34

8 years ago13:34

13:34

This 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?

Dear SQL DBA

1
Interview Advice from the SQL Server Community 8:25

8 years ago8:25

8:25

In 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.co.uk/2017/08/08/learning-to-say-no/…

Dear SQL DBA

1
Interview Patterns and Anti-Patterns 15:38

8 years ago15:38

15:38

Hear the story of an interview where my dreams were crushed - and what I learned about interviewing from the experience.

Dear SQL DBA

1
Which Queries are Causing my Wait Stats? 34:45

8 years ago34:45

34:45

You'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.…

Dear SQL DBA

1
Removing Query Hints with Plan Guides 29:49

8 years ago29:49

29:49

If 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/…

Dear SQL DBA

1
Batch Mode Hacks in SQL Server 30:33

8 years ago30:33

30:33

Learn 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/

Dear SQL DBA

1
Should I Get Certified as a DBA? 17:30

8 years ago17:30

17:30

Find 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.

Dear SQL DBA

1
How Does a DBA Build Confidence After Making Mistakes? 19:32

8 years ago19:32

19:32

Ever 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.

Dear SQL DBA

1
Are Bad Statistics Making My Query Slow? 35:02

8 years ago35:02

35:02

An 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 question: Are bad stats making my query slow? 05:26 Demo of finding plan in cache and analyzing stats begins 28:17 What to do when stats ARE the problem Code samples: https://gist.github.com/LitKnd/f07848d59cedc61fd057d12ab966f703 Links from the episode: SQL Server 2017 Adaptive Query Processing video by Joe Sack: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szTmo6rTUjM&feature=youtu.be Michael J Swart on finding Dark Matter Queries: http://michaeljswart.com/2017/04/finding-your-dark-queries/ Got a question for Dear SQL DBA? https://SQLWorkbooks.com/ask…

Dear SQL DBA

1
Index Maintenance and Performance 28:45

8 years ago28:45