Bob Pusateri

Databases have long been able to process queries from multiple users concurrently, but managing processes that can lock and block each other is no simple feat! This session will explain the isolation levels supported by Azure SQL Database and SQL Server, how they work, and how they differ. Multiple demonstrations will also show how changing isolation levels can affect not only query performance, but also determine which rows are (or are not) returned in the result set. Attendees will learn how to choose the optimal isolation level for a workload, and will see how simple it can be to improve performance with the proper isolation setting. Whether in the cloud or on premises, understanding database isolation levels can help relieve bottlenecks that no amount of query tuning or indexing can address. Attend this session and gain senior-level skills on how to maximize your database's ability to handle concurrent operations!

Databases have long been able to process queries from multiple users concurrently, but managing processes that can lock and block each other is no simple feat! This session will explain the isolation levels supported by Azure SQL Database and SQL Server, how they work, and how they differ.

While data compression is best-known for reducing a database's size on disk, it's also an effective tool for making your queries fly. Come see how reduced disk usage and increased performance mean that with compression, less really can be more! This session will arm you with the knowledge and understanding to capitalize on both of these aspects of SQL Server's row and page compression features, as well as columnstore and updateable columnstore indexes. We'll combine a lesson on the internals of compression with real-world scenarios to show you how to determine the most appropriate compression type for any situation. Since there's no such thing as a "free lunch" in computing, the drawbacks of these features will also be discussed.