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SQL Server Mastery: 50-Part Series from Fundamentals to Cloud Expert

SQL Server Mastery: 50-Part Series from Fundamentals to Cloud Expert | FreeLearning365

SQL Developer/Designer (25 Posts)

25 Posts

Post 1

T-SQL Fundamentals: Writing Efficient Queries from Day One

Master the art of T-SQL programming. Learn SELECT, JOINs, subqueries, CTEs, and window functions with real-world examples and performance best practices.

Interview Hint: Be prepared to write complex queries with multiple JOINs, CTEs, and window functions.

Post 2

Advanced T-SQL Programming: Stored Procedures, Functions, and Dynamic SQL

Level up your T-SQL skills with stored procedures, user-defined functions, table-valued functions, and dynamic SQL for flexible database programming.

Interview Hint: Know when to use stored procedures vs. functions and understand dynamic SQL security implications.

Post 3

SQL Server Indexing Strategy: A Practical Guide to Clustered, Nonclustered, and Covering Indexes

Speed up your queries. Understand how clustered and nonclustered indexes work and learn a practical methodology for designing and maintaining an effective indexing strategy.

Interview Hint: Be ready to explain index types, their structures, and when to use each.

Post 4

Understanding Execution Plans: How to Find and Fix Query Performance Problems

Can't read an execution plan? We'll teach you. Learn to identify key operators, spot warning signs, and use actual vs. estimated plans to tune slow-running queries.

Interview Hint: Practice reading execution plans and explaining what different operators do.

Post 5

SQL Server Monitoring 101: Using DMVs, Extended Events, and Query Store

Is your SQL Server slow? Learn how to use Dynamic Management Views (DMVs), Extended Events, and Query Store to find performance bottlenecks and troubleshoot issues.

Interview Hint: Know key DMVs for performance troubleshooting and how Query Store helps with query regression.

Post 6

Mastering SQL Server Security: Logins, Users, Roles, and Permissions

Lock down your database. A practical guide to implementing principle of least privilege with SQL Server logins, users, database roles, and granular permissions.

Interview Hint: Understand the difference between server-level and database-level security principals.

Post 7

Advanced Security: TDE, Always Encrypted, and Row-Level Security

Protect sensitive data with Transparent Data Encryption (TDE), Always Encrypted for client-side encryption, and Row-Level Security for granular data access control.

Interview Hint: Be able to compare different encryption methods and when to use each.

Post 8

In-Memory OLTP (Hekaton): Turbocharge Your Transactional Workloads

Need microsecond latency? Explore SQL Server's In-Memory OLTP engine for memory-optimized tables and natively compiled procedures to eliminate bottlenecks.

Interview Hint: Understand when to use In-Memory OLTP and its limitations.

Post 9

Columnstore Indexes for Data Warehousing: Achieving 100x Query Speed

Analyze billions of rows in seconds. Learn how Columnstore indexes with batch mode execution revolutionize data warehouse and analytics query performance.

Interview Hint: Know the difference between rowstore and columnstore indexes and when to use each.

Post 10

Intelligent Query Processing (IQP): How SQL Server 2019+ Self-Tunes Your Queries

Let SQL Server tune itself. Discover features like Batch Mode on Rowstore, Memory Grant Feedback, and Adaptive Joins that automatically improve query performance.

Interview Hint: Be familiar with the latest IQP features and how they improve performance.

Post 11

Partitioning Large Tables: Manageability and Performance for Billion-Row Tables

Struggling with massive tables? Implement table partitioning to improve query performance, simplify data archiving, and make management tasks faster.

Interview Hint: Understand partitioning strategies and how they affect query performance.

Post 12

Accelerated Database Recovery (ADR): Say Goodbye to Long-Running Transaction Delays

Tired of waiting for the database to recover? Discover how Accelerated Database Recovery provides instant rollback and fast recovery after restarts.

Interview Hint: Know how ADR improves database availability and recovery times.

Post 13

Change Data Capture (CDC) and Change Tracking: Real-Time Data Integration Patterns

Capture database changes in real-time. Implement CDC and Change Tracking for ETL pipelines, data synchronization, and event-driven architectures.

Interview Hint: Understand the difference between CDC and Change Tracking and their use cases.

Post 14

Machine Learning Services in SQL Server: Running Python and R Scripts Inside the Database

Embed AI in your database. Use SQL Server Machine Learning Services to execute Python and R scripts for advanced analytics and predictive modeling.

Interview Hint: Know how to integrate machine learning models with SQL Server data.

Post 15

SQL Server on Linux and Docker: A Guide to Cross-Platform Deployment

Break free from Windows. Learn how to deploy, configure, and manage SQL Server in Linux environments and containerize your databases with Docker.

Interview Hint: Understand the benefits and limitations of running SQL Server on Linux.

Post 16

DevOps for Databases: CI/CD with SSDT, Azure DevOps, and DACPACs

Ship database changes faster and safer. Implement a modern DevOps pipeline for SQL Server using SSDT, Azure DevOps, and DACPACs.

Interview Hint: Be familiar with database DevOps practices and tools.

Post 17

SQL Server Ledger: Building Tamper-Evident Databases for Financial Applications

Implement blockchain-like security with SQL Server Ledger. Create tamper-evident databases for financial, healthcare, and compliance scenarios.

Interview Hint: Understand how Ledger tables provide cryptographic verification of data integrity.

Post 18

Performance Tuning Masterclass: Real-World Case Studies and Solutions

Apply everything you've learned. Work through real-world performance tuning scenarios with step-by-step solutions and best practices.

Interview Hint: Be ready to walk through your performance tuning methodology.

Post 19

Enterprise SQL Server Architecture: Mission-Critical Systems Design

Design enterprise-grade SQL Server solutions. Learn architecture patterns for scalability, security, and performance in mission-critical environments.

Interview Hint: Be prepared to discuss high-level architecture decisions for enterprise systems.

Post 20

TempDB Performance Tuning and Configuration Best Practices

TempDB contention can cripple your server. Learn how to configure data files, trace flags, and memory settings to optimize TempDB performance for heavy workloads.

Interview Hint: Know common TempDB performance issues and how to resolve them.

Post 21

Resource Governor: How to Manage CPU and Memory for Noisy Neighbors

Stop one workload from hogging all resources. Use Resource Governor to allocate CPU, memory, and I/O for different applications on the same SQL Server.

Interview Hint: Understand how Resource Governor can isolate workloads and prevent resource contention.

Post 22

Advanced Troubleshooting: Using Extended Events and DMVs for Complex Issues

Go beyond basic monitoring. Learn advanced techniques for using Extended Events and DMVs to troubleshoot blocking, deadlocks, and memory pressure.

Interview Hint: Be familiar with common troubleshooting scenarios and the tools to resolve them.

Post 23

Policy-Based Management and Central Management Server: Governing Multiple SQL Instances

Manage many servers? Use Policy-Based Management and Central Management Server to enforce standards across your entire SQL Server estate.

Interview Hint: Know how to manage multiple SQL Server instances consistently at scale.

Post 24

Database Files, Filegroups, and Transaction Logs: The Ultimate Storage Guide

Master SQL Server storage. We break down MDF, NDF, and LDF files, explain how to use filegroups for performance, and demystify the vital transaction log.

Interview Hint: Understand SQL Server storage architecture and how to optimize it for performance.

Post 25

SQL Server Backup and Restore: Strategies for On-Prem and Azure Cloud

Never lose data. Learn SQL Server backup types (Full, Differential, Log) and build a bulletproof restore strategy for on-prem and Azure environments.

Interview Hint: Be prepared to discuss backup strategies and recovery scenarios.

Database Administrator (DBA) - 8 Posts

8 Posts

Post 26

Installing & Configuring SQL Server 2022: A Step-by-Step Best Practices Guide

Avoid common pitfalls. Follow our step-by-step guide for installing and configuring SQL Server 2022 for optimal performance, security, and stability from day one.

Interview Hint: Know the key configuration settings that impact performance and security.

Post 27

Top SQL Server Management Tools: SSMS, Azure Data Studio, and PowerShell Compared

Beyond SSMS! Discover the power of Azure Data Studio for cross-platform work and learn how to automate everything with PowerShell. A modern DBA's toolkit.

Interview Hint: Be familiar with different SQL Server management tools and their use cases.

Post 28

The DBA's Daily, Weekly, and Monthly Maintenance Checklist

Proactive care prevents disasters. Get our free checklist for SQL Server maintenance tasks, including index rebuilds, statistics updates, and integrity checks.

Interview Hint: Be ready to discuss your approach to proactive database maintenance.

Post 29

SQL Server Agent: Automating Jobs, Alerts, and Schedules

Stop working manually. Master SQL Server Agent to automate critical tasks like backups, ETL jobs, and custom alerts for proactive monitoring.

Interview Hint: Understand how to design and troubleshoot SQL Server Agent jobs.

Post 30

SQL Server High Availability Showdown: Log Shipping vs. Failover Clustering vs. Always On AGs

Choosing a HA/DR solution? We compare Log Shipping, Failover Cluster Instances, and Always On Availability Groups on cost, complexity, and capabilities.

Interview Hint: Be able to compare different HA/DR technologies and recommend appropriate solutions.

Post 31

Always On Availability Groups: A Step-by-Step Setup and Configuration Guide

Implement mission-critical HA/DR. Follow our detailed guide to configure Always On Availability Groups with Windows Server Failover Clustering.

Interview Hint: Understand Always On AG architecture, failover scenarios, and monitoring.

Post 32

Beyond the Basics: Advanced Always On AGs with Distributed AGs and Cross-Region DR

Scale your HA strategy. Learn how to use Distributed Availability Groups for complex, multi-site disaster recovery scenarios and near-zero RTO/RPO.

Interview Hint: Know how to design multi-site disaster recovery solutions with SQL Server.

Post 33

Real-World HA/DR Strategy: Designing for 99.99% Uptime on a Budget

Get a practical, business-focused framework for building a High Availability and Disaster Recovery strategy that balances uptime with costs.

Interview Hint: Be prepared to discuss HA/DR strategy trade-offs and business continuity planning.

Data Analyst - 6 Posts

6 Posts

Post 34

SSIS Mastery: Building Robust ETL Packages for Data Integration

Master SQL Server Integration Services for enterprise ETL. Learn package design, error handling, logging, and deployment strategies for reliable data pipelines.

Interview Hint: Be familiar with SSIS components and ETL best practices.

Post 35

SSRS Deep Dive: Building Enterprise Reporting Solutions

Create powerful business reports with SQL Server Reporting Services. Master report design, parameters, subscriptions, and deployment for enterprise reporting.

Interview Hint: Understand report design principles and deployment options.

Post 36

SSAS Tabular Models: Building Modern Business Intelligence Solutions

Unlock the power of Analysis Services Tabular models for self-service BI. Learn data modeling, DAX, and deployment for enterprise analytics.

Interview Hint: Know the difference between multidimensional and tabular models.

Post 37

PolyBase and External Tables: Querying Big Data from SQL Server

Break down data silos. Use PolyBase to query Hadoop, Azure Blob Storage, and other data sources directly from SQL Server with external tables.

Interview Hint: Understand how to integrate SQL Server with big data sources.

Post 38

ETL in the Cloud: Moving from SSIS to Azure Data Factory and Synapse Pipelines

Modernize your data integration. Compare SSIS, Azure Data Factory, and Synapse Pipelines. Learn how to build scalable, serverless ETL/ELT workflows.

Interview Hint: Be familiar with cloud-based ETL options and their advantages.

Post 39

The Data Engineer's Guide to SQL Server: PolyBase, CDC, and Big Data Patterns

For Data Engineers. Learn how to use PolyBase to query external data lakes, implement Change Data Capture for real-time pipelines.

Interview Hint: Understand modern data engineering patterns with SQL Server.

Cloud - 11 Posts

11 Posts

Post 40

Azure SQL Family Explained: VM vs. Managed Instance vs. Database vs. Synapse

Confused by Azure SQL options? Our definitive guide compares SQL on Azure VM, SQL Managed Instance, SQL Database, and Synapse Analytics to help you choose.

Interview Hint: Be able to compare Azure SQL deployment options and recommend appropriate solutions.

Post 41

Lift and Shift to Azure: Migrating Your On-Prem SQL Server to Azure VM

Move your existing SQL Server to the cloud with minimal changes. A step-by-step guide to migrating to SQL Server on Azure Virtual Machines.

Interview Hint: Understand migration strategies and tools for moving to Azure.

Post 42

The Power of PaaS: Migrating to Azure SQL Managed Instance for Near-100% Compatibility

Get the best of both worlds. Learn why Azure SQL Managed Instance is the ideal PaaS target for most on-prem migrations with minimal management overhead.

Interview Hint: Know the benefits and limitations of Azure SQL Managed Instance.

Post 43

Building Modern Apps with Azure SQL Database: Hyperscale, Serverless, and Elastic Pools

Architect for the cloud. Explore Azure SQL Database's unique features like Hyperscale for massive scale, Serverless for intermittent workloads.

Interview Hint: Understand Azure SQL Database service tiers and their use cases.

Post 44

Securing Your Data in Azure SQL: Managed Identity, Azure AD, and Always Encrypted

Cloud security is job one. Learn how to use Managed Identities for secure app connections, Azure AD for authentication, and Always Encrypted.

Interview Hint: Be familiar with Azure SQL security features and best practices.

Post 45

Azure Hybrid Benefit and Cost Optimization: Slashing Your Cloud SQL Bill

Overpaying for Azure SQL? Learn how to use Azure Hybrid Benefit to bring your own license and discover other proven strategies to reduce cloud spending.

Interview Hint: Understand Azure cost optimization strategies for SQL Server.

Post 46

Azure Arc: Managing Your On-Prem and Multi-Cloud SQL Servers from a Single Pane

Unify your SQL estate. Use Azure Arc to manage, govern, and secure SQL Server instances running on-premises, in other clouds, or at the edge.

Interview Hint: Know how Azure Arc extends Azure management capabilities to hybrid environments.

Post 47

SQL Server 2022 Deep Dive: Top 5 New Features for On-Prem and Azure Integration

What's new in SQL Server 2022? We explore the top features, including Azure Synapse Link, Ledger for tamper-evidence, and Query Store hints.

Interview Hint: Stay current with the latest SQL Server features and capabilities.

Post 48

SQL Server Evolution: A 35-Year Journey from Sybase to Azure Cloud (1990-2025)

Explore the complete history of Microsoft SQL Server. From its Sybase roots to the AI-powered cloud era, we break down every version, key features, and the roadmap for 2025.

Interview Hint: Understand SQL Server's evolution and future direction.

Post 49

SQL Server Editions Decoded: Choosing Between Express, Standard, Enterprise & Developer

Struggling to choose the right SQL Server edition? Our detailed guide compares Express, Standard, Enterprise, and Developer editions on features, limits, pricing, and real-world use cases.

Interview Hint: Know the differences between SQL Server editions and their licensing implications.

Post 50

SQL Server Architecture Deep Dive: How the Database Engine Really Works

Master SQL Server internals. We explain the core components—Relational Engine, Storage Engine, Buffer Pool, and Plan Cache—and how they interact to process your queries.

Interview Hint: Understand SQL Server's internal architecture and how it processes queries.

Advanced Performance Tuning - 5 Bonus Posts

5 Posts

Post 51

Query Store Implementation: The Ultimate Guide to Performance Monitoring

Master Query Store for identifying and fixing query performance regressions. Learn configuration best practices, forced plan scenarios, and troubleshooting techniques.

Interview Hint: Understand how Query Store helps with performance troubleshooting and plan forcing.

Post 52

Advanced Wait Statistics Analysis: Finding the Real Performance Bottlenecks

Go beyond basic wait stats. Learn to interpret complex wait patterns, correlate them with other metrics, and implement targeted solutions for common performance issues.

Interview Hint: Be able to interpret wait statistics and identify performance bottlenecks.

Post 53

Memory-Optimized TempDB Metadata: Eliminating Last Page Insert Contention

Solve TempDB allocation contention with memory-optimized TempDB metadata. Learn configuration, monitoring, and troubleshooting for high-concurrency environments.

Interview Hint: Understand TempDB contention issues and modern solutions.

Post 54

Storage Performance Deep Dive: From Disk to SSD to Azure Premium

Master storage configuration for SQL Server. Understand IOPS, throughput, latency requirements, and how to optimize storage for different workload patterns in cloud and on-prem.

Interview Hint: Know how to design storage solutions for optimal SQL Server performance.

Post 55

Parameter Sensitive Plan Optimization: Solving the Parameter Sniffing Problem

Eliminate parameter sniffing issues with SQL Server 2022's Parameter Sensitive Plan optimization. Learn how it works, when to use it, and how to troubleshoot plan quality issues.

Interview Hint: Understand parameter sniffing problems and modern solutions.

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