How to render PDF documents using SQL CLR. Also a good introduction on creating SQL CLR functions.  Read more...

Hadoop has been making a lot of noise in the Big Data world. Despite my lack of Linux experience I decided to take the plunge and this is what I found.  Read more...

dbWarden is a comprehensive monitoring and alerting solution for SQL Server 2005 or newer. It features an emailed Health Report and includes email and text notifications with customizable metrics for alerts such as Blocking, Long Running Queries and SQL Jobs, CPU %, Log file and TempDB growth.  Read more...

I will describe a simple method anyone can use to obtain lost password information for a SQL Server login.  Read more...

An old trick nowadays but one which is still underused here on SSC is the cascading CROSS APPLY – where output from one CROSS APPLY is used as input for another.  Read more...

SQL Server Performance Dashboard comprises a set of custom reports that give you nitty gritty details about the performance of your SQL Server instance.  Read more...

Many people that work for years with SQL Server never use the Data Mining. This article has the objective to introduce them to this magic and exciting new world.  Read more...

Merry Christmas from SQLServerCentral. We spend much of our working life helping solve SQL Server-related performance problems, hands-on, during consulting, or on online forums. We've seen a few weird-and-wonderful issues but, mainly, it’s the same problems and misconceptions time-and-again. This is our attempt to describe, diagnose, and solve the most common problems with SQL Server 2005, 2008, and 2008 R2. And it's free.  Read more...

This article exlores the usage of CTEs as a replacement to cursors in order to generate additional data by applying logic to existing data.  Read more...

It is easy to get database monitoring wrong. There are several common-sense rules that can make all the difference between a monitoring system that works for you and helps to avoid database problems, and one that just creates a distraction. Adam Machanic spells out the rules, based on his considerable experience with database monitoring.  Read more...

In this level, Rob Sheldon explains what XML is, and describes the components of an XML document, Elements and Attributes. He explains the basics of tags, entity references, enclosed text, comments and declarations  Read more...

This free ebook from Red Gate Software will take you from the fundamentals of Statistics, Cost Estimation, Index Selection, and the Execution Engine, and guide you through the inner workings of the Query Optimization process, and throws in a pragmatic look at Parameterization and Hints along the way.  Read more...

Why do stored procedures help with security? In this piece, MVP Brian Kelley explains why SQL Injection and information gathering are hampered with stored procedures.  Read more...

He admits it wasn't his idea but his head sure wishes it was. SQL Server MVP Jeff Moden explains a wonderful, super simple, very high performance formula that will calculate ISO Week Numbers. If you're "stuck" with SQL Server 2005 or less, you're going to like this a whole lot!  Read more...

Using SQLCMD Mode in SSMS is easy. This short piece will show you how to get started.  Read more...

The fifth installment of the sp_Blitz script being run on the SQLServerCentral database server.  Read more...

The SQL MERGE statement can make your DML querying more efficient but you need to take care or you may get burned  Read more...

Despite all the advances in software tools, there seem to be several enduring truths about software development. By understaning these 'laws', Ziv’s law, Humphrey’s Law and Conway’s Law for example, you can remove some of the mystery of the process. Al Noel discusses these and other laws that seem to apply generally to the art of programming.  Read more...

This article demonstrates how to trigger an SSRS subscription to email a report from an Execute SQL Task using SQL Server Agent and the ReportServer.dbo.AddEvent stored procedure.  Read more...

This article demonstrates how to use US Census' TIGER/Line shapefile to display CNN-style map in Reporting Services.  Read more...