Dear SQL DBA

The first time you test a query it's slow, but when you run it again, it's much faster. Learn how SQL Server uses memory to make the second run much faster.

Learn why SQL Server 2016 SP1 is a game changer, and how to take best advantage of all the cool features now in Standard and Web Editions.

Learn about new features to speed up SQL Server queries. Kendra talks about automatic index tuning and speculates about Adaptive Query Processing.

As a database administrator or developer, you'll get into trouble fast if you try to force all your code and processes into a database shaped hole. You have to be creative when you problem solve -- and when you communicate! So how do you cultivate creativity?

The bigger your indexes are, the harder your index maintenance falls. Is it better to rebuild big indexes? Or should you reorganize? Learn the pros and cons of each command and other options.

Should you look at automatically created statistics on your tables in SQL Server to help you design better indexes?

What tools in SQL Server will notify you about blocking and help track the queries behind your toughest blocking and deadlocking problems?

Should you always index your foreign keys? What if you index them, and then the index never gets used?

Learn what it's like to find and develop your voice as a technical speaker in this week's episode.

What are the best tools to collect and baseline wait statistics? Should you write your own?