If a query is performing poorly, and you can't understand why, then that query's execution plan will tell you not only what data set is coming back, but also what SQL Server did, and in what order, to get that data. It will reveal how the data was retrieved, and from which tables and indexes, what types of joins were used, at what point filtering, sorting and aggregation occurred, and a

Cryptography is an indispensable tool used to protect information in computing systems. It is used everywhere and by billions of people worldwide on a daily basis. It is used to protect data at rest and data in motion. Cryptographic systems are an integral part of standard protocols, most notably the Transport Layer Security (TLS) protocol, making it relatively easy to incorporate strong

Few software developers would build an application without using source control, but its adoption for databases has been slower. Yet without source control to maintain the scripts necessary to create our database objects, load lookup data, and take other actions, we cannot guarantee a reliable and repeatable database deployment process, let alone coordinate database upgrades with changes

Scientific computing utilizes computers to aid in scientific tasks such as data processing and digital simulations, among others. The well-developed field of computational chemistry is part of scientific computing and focuses on utilizing computing to simulate chemical phenomena and calculate properties. However, there is less focus in the field of chemistry on the data processing side o

Extremely versatile and popular among developers, Python is a good general-purpose language that can be used in a variety of applications. For those with an understanding of English, Python is a very humanreadable programming language, allowing for quick comprehension. Because Python supports multiple styles including scripting and object-oriented programming, it is considered to be a mu

Guido van Rossum created the Python programming language in the late 1980s. In contrast to other popular languages such as C, C++ , Java, and C#, Python strives to provide a simple but powerful syntax. Python is used for software development at companies and organizations such as Google, Yahoo, Facebook, CERN, Industrial Light and Magic, and NASA. Experienced programmers can accomplish g

Introduction to Data Science: Data Analysis and Prediction Algorithms with R introduces concepts and skills that can help you tackle real-world data analysis challenges. It covers concepts from probability, statistical inference, linear regression, and machine learning. It also helps you develop skills such as R programming, data wrangling, data visualization, predictive algorithm buildi

Textbooks that provide a broad algorithmic perspective on the mechanics and dynamics of robots almost unfailingly serve students at the graduate level. Introduction to Autonomous Robots offers a much-needed resource for teaching third- and fourth-year undergraduates the computational fundamentals behind the design and control of autonomous robots. The authors use a class-tested and acces

Site reliability engineering (SRE) is more relevant than ever. Knowing how to keep systems reliable has become a critical skill. With this practical book, newcomers and old hats alike will explore a broad range of conversations happening in SRE. You'll get actionable advice on several topics, including how to adopt SRE, why SLOs matter, when you need to upgrade your incident response, an

If you're a student studying computer science or a software developer preparing for technical interviews, this practical book will help you learn and review some of the most important ideas in software engineering - data structures and algorithms - in a way that's clearer, more concise, and more engaging than other materials. By emphasizing practical knowledge and skills over theory, aut