// The SQL Geek

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Deep dives into SQL, Data Engineering, AI, Cloud Architecture, Cybersecurity, Quantum Computing and more. Written for professionals who build real things.

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Understanding Fragmentation and its effects on SQL
SQL Featured

Understanding Fragmentation and its effects on SQL

Index fragmentation in SQL Server arises from INSERT/UPDATE/DELETE operations, leading to uneven page fullness, extra I/O, and slower scans—especially on large tables. Detect it using sys.dm_db_index_physical_stats; resolve with ALTER INDEX REBUILD (prefer over REORGANIZE for most cases), SORT_IN_TEMPDB=ON, MAXDOP=1, and appropriate fillfactor to rebuild pages contiguously. Prevent excessive fragmentation via pre-allocating data/log files, batching DML, and avoiding OS-level NTFS defragmentation

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Row-Level & Cell-Level Security in SQL Server with Label Security Toolkit

Row-Level & Cell-Level Security in SQL Server with Label Security Toolkit

The free SQL Server Label Security Toolkit enables Row-Level Security (RLS) and Cell-Level Security (CLS) by applying security labels—sensitivity markings consisting of categories—to data rows and cells. Users gain access only if their clearance (tied to Windows AD accounts, SQL logins, or DB roles/groups) matches the label; includes metadata tables, helper procs/functions, vwVisibleLabels view, and a GUI for schema design. A cost-effective layer for compliance (SOX, HIPAA) that works on top of

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National Weather Service Data Collector
Data

National Weather Service Data Collector

Built a fun weekend project with my son to collect hourly National Weather Service observations into SQL Server while he learned SQL. The PowerShell script pulls current conditions from NWS stations, stores data cleanly, and includes full DB scripts plus a Power BI dashboard for visualization. Open-source on GitHub for anyone to clone, run, or extend.

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SQL Server Always On Availability Groups: Worker Thread Capacity Planning
SQL

SQL Server Always On Availability Groups: Worker Thread Capacity Planning

Worker thread capacity is a critical factor when planning SQL Server Always On Availability Groups, as replicas share an HADR pool while using unshared log capture, send, and redo threads per database. Minimum threads required = (Database Count × (1 + Secondary Replicas)) + 1, often consuming a significant portion of available threads (max worker threads minus 40). Poor planning risks thread exhaustion, failed database joins, and the need to drop/recreate AGs in production.

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Ways to get data out of Essbase
Data

Ways to get data out of Essbase

DataExport scripts, and Grid API offer fast but limited access without dynamic calculations. Modern connectors and tools like Power BI's native Essbase integration or BluePrint Conduit provide simpler, more governed paths for low-latency data delivery into BI workflows.

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