24
votes
Asking query performance questions
As many of the following as possible:
Formatted text of the query/procedure/function.
Indenting SQL by 4+ spaces on each line is usually best.
Schema (CREATE TABLE); use text, not images
Table, ...
21
votes
I have selected an answer, but my requirements have changed
Ask a new (follow-up) question, including a link to the previous one if it provides useful context. The new question should still make sense on its own, of course.
As a general rule, it is better to ...
Paul WhiteMod
- 69.4k
15
votes
Accepted
Would question about database recommendation be on topic?
database-recommendation questions are not off-topic, but experience has shown that they need to be better than average to avoid being ignored or closed, especially in recent times. Click on that tag ...
Paul WhiteMod
- 69.4k
12
votes
What's wrong with this database recommendation question?
I edited and upvoted your question because I found it on-topic and interesting. That said, other members of the community had already voted to close it, and left it closed after an automatic reopen ...
Paul WhiteMod
- 69.4k
11
votes
Accepted
Should we create a "what is meltdown/spectre and will it impact my SQL servers" question?
This could be a useful Q & A, though a bit broad by our usual standards.
Seems like it might be a good candidate for a Wiki Answer (like Where to start with Oracle?):
This question's answer is ...
Paul WhiteMod
- 69.4k
9
votes
Is question about improving database design on topic?
'How do I improve this schema?' is likely to be too broad and subjective to make a really good question. If you have specific issues then you can certainly ask questions about those.
In general, 'I ...
9
votes
Accepted
Minimal, Complete, and Verifiable Example
How to create a Minimal, Complete, and Verifiable Example for database-related questions
Database-related questions asking for practical advice will get the most helpful answers if they provide a ...
8
votes
Accepted
How to add conclusive information to a question - after it has been answered?
The question author adding a "conclusion" is a bit of an odd thing that does not naturally fit in Q & A format.
Nevertheless, on the odd occasion the question author strongly feels this sort of ...
Paul WhiteMod
- 69.4k
8
votes
Would question about database recommendation be on topic?
Questions about how to circumvent licensing restrictions are off-topic, for obvious legal reasons.
However, you're welcome to ask for database recommendations,just make sure your question is ...
- 67.1k
8
votes
Accepted
Helping new users write good questions
Chit Chat
The main problem isn't one that a one on one chat can easily solve, given all the different time zones, languages, and time constraints placed on both participants.
We've all been there ...
- 33.5k
8
votes
Accepted
How to ask a question when unable to reveal table data/structure
I think you can easily reduce your example (including renaming tables/columns) to something that does not reveal anything about the real DB you are working with. The same applies in most cases to the ...
- 28.8k
8
votes
Is question about improving database design on topic?
"Here's my problem. Here's what I've tried. Here's why it's still a problem."
This pattern will get you a lot more useful responses than "can you suggest a better design?"
- 4,078
7
votes
Accepted
Are Couchbase questions on topic?
Couchbase is a Document-Oriented NoSQL Database according to the title of their home page: that puts it on-topic, though of course the NoSQL market is more fragmented and more cutting-edge, meaning ...
- 37.4k
7
votes
Helping new users write good questions
I don't think it's a bad idea, but I wouldn't be willing to participate in the one-on-one. The thing about DBA.se is that I'm usually helping out more than one person in the process of using this site,...
- 55.8k
6
votes
Should Stack Overflow provide hints on asking at DBA?
In principle, I'm in favour of anything that means people ask in the right place*
Whether this particular idea is a good one depends on the details of the implementation, and how accurately any AI ...
Paul WhiteMod
- 69.4k
6
votes
Should we create a "what is meltdown/spectre and will it impact my SQL servers" question?
NEVER ASK TO ASK. JUST ASK
If the question is bad, it'll get downvoted or closed at worst.
- 55.8k
6
votes
Possible to Optimize Based on DB Structure Only - No Data
Questions about improving performance should include:
The full text of the query.
SQL CREATE statements for the tables and indexes involved
Use SHOW CREATE TABLE\G
The version of the product you are ...
5
votes
Subjectively speaking, is my question salvageable?
To me, your question falls into the "unclear what you're asking" or "too broad" category, rather than "subjective". What do you mean by "feature" or "testing"?
Is it ever OK to change, without ...
- 21.2k
5
votes
Update of FAQ question "How do I ask a good question"
Good question. On the DBA version I don't see any mod-link for editing the text, so I'm guessing it needs to be edited by someone from SE.
Perhaps you should knock up a proposed page in an answer ...
- 37.4k
4
votes
Helping new users write good questions
This is a really nice, welcoming idea. I struggled with the mechanics of this app initially (still do TBH). I imagine I'm typical in that.
However. I have a full time job. And a family. And a life. I ...
- 22.8k
4
votes
What's wrong with this database recommendation question?
I didn't vote to close, mainly because I didn't see this question in the review queue. I'm not sure what I would have done if I did.
After the edits it's probably not unclear, even if it's a domain ...
- 15.4k
3
votes
What's wrong with this database recommendation question?
I was the first person to vote to close your question. I did that because I felt the question was unclear because it did not address what you meant by modifying the order of a linked-list without ...
- 67.1k
3
votes
Update of FAQ question "How do I ask a good question"
This answer is community wiki please provide additional database-specific information at the bottom.
Formatting
When possible do not include screenshots or pictures where text would otherwise do, ...
3
votes
Asking query performance questions
Instructions for PostgreSQL Performance Questions
Copied from the postgresql-performance tag info.
About improving / explaining the performance of existing queries. May concern particular query ...
1
vote
Asking query performance questions
Taken from a comment by Wilson Hauck on a MySQL performance issue question.
Instructions for MySQL Performance Questions
Computer specifications
RAM size
SSD/NVME versus HDD on MySQL Host server
...
Only top scored, non community-wiki answers of a minimum length are eligible