SQLServerCentral.com Articles

An Overview of SSIS Variables – Step 13 of the Stairway to Integration Services

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 06:00:00 UT

In this level of the Integration Services Stairway article, Andy Leonard examines SSIS variables.

Review: Stellar Phoenix SQL Database Recovery

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 06:00:00 UT

Stellar Phoenix SQL Database Recovery Software Review

Check If a SQL Server Database Is In Pseudo-Simple Recovery Model Using Windows PowerShell

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 06:00:00 UT

Check if databases are really in FULL recovery model with a recovery model called pseudo-simple, where the database still behaves like it is still in SIMPLE recovery model until a full database backup is taken.

Get your SQL Server database under version control now!
Version control is standard for applications, but databases haven’t caught up. So how can you bring database development up to speed? Why should you start? Find out…

Usage of CTE - Trick with Dates

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 06:00:00 UT

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

Attention users running SQL Server 2008 & 2008 R2!

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 06:00:00 UT

Updates to the latest CUs for SQL Server 2008 and SQL Server 2008 R2 from Aaron Bertrand.

PASS Data Architecture Virtual Chapter presents Steve Simon

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 06:00:00 UT

On Thursday June 20 at 12 noon Central time, Steve Simon will discuss the challenges of designing financial warehouses.

Managing Slowly Changing Dimension with MERGE Statement in SQL Server

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 06:00:00 UT

Slowly Changing Dimension (SCD) Transformation is a quick and easy way to manage smaller slowly changing dimensions but it has several limitations and does not perform well when the number of rows or columns gets larger. Arshad Ali explores some of the alternatives you can use for managing larger slowly changing dimensions.

PowerShell vs GUI Availability Group Rebuild

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 06:00:00 UT

Windows Cluster\SQL Availability Group rebuild times comparison - Management Studio & Cluster Manager Vs PowerShell Commands

Getting Started with the SSAS Tabular Model

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 06:00:00 UT

SSAS Tabular models are in-memory databases that model data with relational constructs such as tables and relationships, in order to provide a rapid and powerful way of providing self-service BI to client applications such as Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Power View. You’ve deployed SSAS in tabular mode, and deployed Adventureworks into it. What next? Rob Sheldon explains all.

SQL Saturday #229 - Dublin

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 06:00:00 UT

SQL Saturday Dublin is hosting a two-day training event covering SQL Server 2012, Business Intelligence, Database Administration and Personal Development. The free training event will be Saturday June 22 2013, and three preconference sessions (not free) will take place the 21st.

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Custom Sequence Numbering

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 06:00:00 UT

This article shows how to implement low cost custom sequence numbering logic via a cunning use of the the ROW_NUMBER() function

SQL Server Integration Services Package Restartability

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 06:00:00 UT

I've tried using SSIS checkpoints, but have found them to be difficult to configure and, on occasion, unpredictable. Is there a better way to build in restartability in my SSIS packages?

Batch ETL of Multiple Data Files Using an SSIS Foreach Loop Container

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 06:00:00 UT

An SSIS ETL package created with the Import/Export Wizard uses a Data Flow Task to process one data file at a time. If the need arises, however, the Data Flow Task generated by the wizard can be embedded inside a Foreach Loop Container to batch-process a continuous stream of data files.

How to automate your .NET and SQL Server deployments
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Moving Data From Excel to SQL Server - 10 Steps to Follow

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 06:00:00 UT

SQL Server Integration Services provide a versatile way of reading Excel files into SQL Server. A task like this illustrates the advantages of the graphical approach of SSIS. Andy Brown explains.

Stairway to MDX - Level 10: “Relative” Member Functions: .CurrentMember, .PrevMember, and .NextMember

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 06:00:00 UT

SSAS Maestro, SQL Server MVP and Business Intelligence Architect Bill Pearson introduces three “major players” within the MDX “relative” functions. These basic, but highly employed, functions include the .CurrentMember, .PrevMember and .NextMember functions.

‘Disturbing Development’
Grant Fritchey & the DBA Team present the latest installment of the Top 5 hard-earned lessons of a DBA – read it now

Migrating Databases Checklist Part1

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 06:00:00 UT

SQL Server databases move around as an organisation’s data grows, applications are enhanced or new versions of the database software are released. If not anything else, servers become old and unreliable and databases eventually need to find a new home. Here's what to do when migrating your databases.

A Quick Tour of the Performance Dashboard Reports

Tue, 11 Jun 2013 06:00:00 UT

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

SQL Server 2012 Integration Services - Using PowerShell to Configure Project Environments

Tue, 11 Jun 2013 06:00:00 UT

Continuing our discussion on how to leverage the capabilities of PowerShell to automate the most basic SSIS management tasks, this article will explore more complex topics by demonstrating the use of PowerShell in implementing and utilizing project environments.

The Importance of Reading Comments

Mon, 10 Jun 2013 06:00:00 UT

Read when you search for help on the internet. You might miss a very important part of what you must do.

Help us improve SQL Source Control

Mon, 10 Jun 2013 06:00:00 UT

We've been working really hard on SQL Source Control, and need your input. We're currently working on suggestions from our user forum and on an updated migrations feature that supports all source control systems and works across branches. We'd love it if you could spare 10 minutes to complete this survey. If you complete the survey by Friday June 14, you could win a $100 Amazon voucher. There are two up for grabs!

Extend SQL Server DDL Triggers for more functionality: Part 2

Mon, 10 Jun 2013 06:00:00 UT

A previous tip, SQL Server DDL Triggers to Track All Database Changes, generated a lot of discussion involving ways to make the provided DDL trigger more useful. Check out this tip to expand your knowledge on DDL Triggers.

Incremental Data Loading Using CDC

Fri, 07 Jun 2013 06:00:00 UT

Describes a design pattern for using CDC to power fast and efficient incremental data loads.

More Uses for Data Explorer for Excel

Fri, 07 Jun 2013 06:00:00 UT

Microsoft has introduced a new BI product that will help simplify the data discovery phase for Excel users. “Data Explorer” is an Excel add-in that enhances the self-service Business Intelligence experience in Excel by simplifying data discovery and access. Data Explorer is a preview product so these features may appear differently in the final release.

New Custom Metric: Percentage of blocked connections

Fri, 07 Jun 2013 06:00:00 UT

This metric reports the number of connections that are currently blocked, divided by the total count of current connections. Most well-balanced SQL Servers will have some degree of blocking. This metric attempts to measure the impact of lead blocking queries against other queries. Higher values indicate that many connections are being blocked, and queries should be tuned to reduce the amount of contention.

Adding new files to a log-shipped database (SQL Spackle)

Thu, 06 Jun 2013 06:00:00 UT

Freshly minted MCM Wayne Sheffield fills a log shipping crack that could otherwise cause you to re-initialize your log shipping.

Continuous integration for databases using Red Gate tools

Thu, 06 Jun 2013 06:00:00 UT

Once databases are placed in source control, it is possible to integrate them into the existing build automation process. This will ensure that the whole development project, including the database, can be integrated regularly and tested by an automated build system. This, in turn, leads to opportunities for more frequent, reliable deployments.

A Beginners Look at Hadoop

Wed, 05 Jun 2013 06:00:00 UT

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.

Forum Etiquette: How to post data/code on a forum to get the best help

Wed, 05 Jun 2013 06:00:00 UT

Get correct answers to your SQL forum questions faster by making it easier to load your sample data and read your code.

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Paging Data with TSQL

Wed, 05 Jun 2013 06:00:00 UT

Greg Larsen shares a number of different TSQL methods to provide paging functionality, for when your application requires that you display only one page of data at a time.

Excel Function Returns Cell Address

Tue, 04 Jun 2013 06:00:00 UT

This article details an Excel 2010 function to return the cell address of min and max functions.