Working with Tables in Azure SQL Data Warehouse (SQLServerCentral 4/18/2017)

[SQLServerCentral - www.sqlservercentral.com]( A community of more than 1,600,000 database professionals and growing Featured Contents - [Working with Tables in Azure SQL Data Warehouse]( - [SQL Clone Trivia Quiz - win a $10 gift card every weekday in April]( - [Moving from application automation to true DevOps by including the database]( - [Scaling out SSRS on SQL Server Standard Edition ]( - [Power BI and Data Security – Compliance and Encryption]( (From the SQLServerCentral Blogs) - [DBA 101: Comparing two SQL plans]( (From the SQLServerCentral Blogs) Featured Script - [PowerShell for Server/DB/Object level Permissions/Logins/Roles/Users]( The Voice of the DBA SQL Server Telemetry One of the things that I've seen blogged about and noted in the news over the last year is the amount of data being collected by various software systems. In particular, I've seen numerous complaints and concerns over what data Microsoft collects with its platforms. Perhaps this is because Microsoft is the largest vendor, and plenty of other software collects usage information, primarily to determine if features are being used or working correctly. I think much of this is overblown, but I can understand having sensitivity about our computer usage, especially for home operating systems. Microsoft conducted an extensive review and published data about what is being collected and why. Windows 10 and other products have undergone review and must comply with the published policies. There's even [a Microsoft Privacy site]( to address concerns and explain things. It's an easy to read policy that explains what Microsoft is collectin, if you're connected to the Internet (if you're not, don't worry, no bloating files). That's a huge step forward in an area that is evolving and something I wouldn't have expected to see in the past. I am glad Microsoft is making strides here, even if I may not agree with specific items in their policies. I do think that most of the companies collecting this data are doing so to improve the products, not spy on customers. I'm sure some do, but likely smaller organizations with some sort of criminal intent. As data becomes more important, telemetry for software is potentially a data leakage vector where private, personal, or customer information might be leaked. Certainly as more speech and other customized services are used in businesses, I worry about what data could be accidentally disclosed. After all, it's not that super powerful smart phone that is actually converting audio to text in many cases; it's a computer somewhere in the vendor's cloud. With databases, this has also been a concern from some people. I've seen the Customer Experience Improvement Program for years and usually opted in. I'm rarely doing something sensitive and I hope that with more data, Microsoft improves the platform. That's the stated goal, and I'd seen them talk about this a few times. The SQL Server has moved forward and published [an explicit policy]( that spells out what and when data is collected. It was actually just updated recently and all new versions of the platform must provide this information (if anything is different) and adhere to what they disclose. There is a chance that user data could leak into a crash dump, though users have the opportunity to review data before it is sent to Microsoft. I'm not sure how many will, but they have the chance. I would like to be sure that anything sent is secured, and perhaps have an easy way to audit the data sent in a session, but I know this entire process is evolving. One important item to note is that customers can opt-out of data collection for any paid for versions of SQL Server. That's entirely fair, but if you have regulatory concerns, you should be sure that you don't restore production data to development machines. You shouldn't anyway, but just an FYI. Usage data is going to be a part of the future of software, especially as more "services" integrate into what we think of as software. Those services aren't always going to be under our control and certainly part of the reason many of these are inexpensive is that additional data is captured about the people using the software. I hope all companies publish and adhere to some sort of privacy statement, and maybe that's a good start. Rather than any regulation on specific privacy that must exist, start forcing companies to publish and stick to whatever policy they choose. Steve Jones from [SQLServerCentral.com]( Join the debate, and [respond to today's editorial on the forums]( ADVERTISEMENT [Foundry]( Could you help with some research? The Foundry team at Redgate want to hear about your experience with audit and compliance. Fill in this short survey to help out, and also to enter their prize draw for a $100 Amazon gift card. 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[Download a free trial.]( Featured Contents  [] [Working with Tables in Azure SQL Data Warehouse]( Chris Testa-O'Neil from [SQLServerCentral.com]() In this next installment of our series on Azure SQL Data Warehouse, we'll look at tables and the options for how we decide to create them for optimum performance.[More »](SQL+Data+Warehouse/155806/) ---------------------------------------------------------------  [] [SQL Clone Trivia Quiz - win a $10 gift card every weekday in April]( To celebrate the recent launch of their new database provision tool, Redgate are giving you the chance to win a $10 Amazon or Starbucks gift card every weekday this month. To enter the prize draw, just answer the daily SQL Clone trivia question on the right-hand side of the homepage.[More »]( ---------------------------------------------------------------  [] [Moving from application automation to true DevOps by including the database]( Additional Articles from [Redgate]() Tom Austin talks about the challenges that arise from trying to include the database in your DevOps process.[More »]( ---------------------------------------------------------------  [] [Scaling out SSRS on SQL Server Standard Edition ]( Additional Articles from [SimpleTalk]() The ability to scale out SSRS, so that multiple report server instances can access a single report server database, is an Enterprise Edition-only feature. So when Rodney Landrum was tasked with implementing a scale-out solution, with failover, for SSRS on SQL Server Standard Edition, it required some creative thinking. This article describes his solution, its merits and drawbacks.[More »]( ---------------------------------------------------------------  [] From the SQLServerCentral Blogs - [Power BI and Data Security – Compliance and Encryption]( DataOnWheels from [SQLServerCentral Blogs]( As Power BI becomes more prevalent in data analytics and visualization within the enterprise, data security becomes a significant concern....[More »]( ---------------------------------------------------------------  [] From the SQLServerCentral Blogs - [DBA 101: Comparing two SQL plans]( Daniel Janik from [SQLServerCentral Blogs]( Simple post today: How to compare two plans in SSMS. This task is a task that is often done by a...[More »]( Question of the Day Today's Question (by Steve Jones): When I run a query, if I need a resource that is locked, meaning I am blocked, there is a timeout for how long I will wait for a lock to be released. What is the default setting for this when I connect to SQL Server? Think you know the answer? [Click here](, and find out if you are right. --------------------------------------------------------------- We keep track of your score to give you bragging rights against your peers. This question is worth 1 point in this category: Lock Timeout. We'd love to give you credit for your own question and answer. To submit a QOTD, simply log in to the [Contribution Center](. ADVERTISEMENT [Pro SQL Server Relational Database Design and Implementation]( Learn effective and scalable database design techniques in a SQL Server 2016 and higher environment. This book is revised to cover in-memory online transaction processing, temporal data storage, row-level security, durability enhancements, and other design-related features that are new or changed in SQL Server 2016. [Get your copy today from Amazon](. Yesterday's Question of the Day Yesterday's Question (by Aditya Rathour): How many archived SQL Server Agent error logs does SQL Server maintain by default? Answer: 9 Explanation: Every time when sql server agent service restarts it creates a new error log file for sql agent. SQL server maintains up to 9 archive error log files for SQL Server Agent. Ref: SQL Server Agent Error Log - [( --------------------------------------------------------------- [» Discuss this question and answer on the forums]( Featured Script [PowerShell for Server/DB/Object level Permissions/Logins/Roles/Users]( Rahul Biswas from [SQLServerCentral.com]() Just follow the comments in PowerShell Script. Change the value of parameters according to your need in given PowerShell Script.. [More »]( Database Pros Who Need Your Help Here's a few of the new posts today on the forums. 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