SQLServerCentral.com Articles

Database Performance Transparency

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 07:00:00 UT

Describes the benefits of publishing instance performance metrics including a script to generate HTML-based Performance Snapshot.

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Webinar: SQL Source Control 3.0 Connect your existing source control system to SQL Server

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 07:00:00 UT

Find out what SQL Source Control & SQL Compare can do for your database development and deployment processes at one of our free weekly webinars. Each webinar includes a 30 minute software demonstration and a Q&A session.

Rebuilding SQL Server indexes using the ONLINE option

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 07:00:00 UT

As each year goes by the uptime requirement for our databases gets larger and larger, meaning the downtime that we have to do maintenance on our databases is getting smaller and smaller. This tip will look at a feature that was introduced in SQL Server 2005 that allows us to leave our indexes online and accessible while they are being rebuilt.

TSQL function to detect SQL Agent job state

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 07:00:00 UT

This article has a T-SQL function to detect the SQL Agent job state.

Raw Materials - Consultant, Superstar

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 07:00:00 UT

Does success in one field transfer to another?

The Future of SQL Server Monitoring
"Being web-based, SQL Monitor
enables you to check on your servers
from almost any location" Jonathan Allen.
Try SQL Monitor now.

Converting String Data to XML and XML to String Data

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 07:00:00 UT

In general XML documents or fragments are held in strings as text markup. In SQL Server, XML variables and columns are instead tokenised to allow rapid access to the data within. This is fine, but can cause some odd problems, such as ' entitization'. What do you do if you need to preserve the formatting? As usual Rob Sheldon comes to our aid.

Aggregate Function Product()

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 07:00:00 UT

The TSQL aggregate function SUM() gives a number based on the addition of the values of multiple rows to each other. Do the same thing but with multiplication instead of addition.

TSQL Challenge 75 - Find the Episode and Sequence based on interval

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 07:00:00 UT

The challenge is to find the Episode and Sequence based on interval.

Great SQL Server Debates: Buffer Cache Hit Ratio

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 07:00:00 UT

One of the more popular counters used by DBAs to monitor SQL Server performance, the Buffer Cache Hit Ratio, is useless as a predictor of imminent performance problems. Worse, it can be misleading. Jonathan Kehayias demonstrates this convincingly with some simple tests.

Stairway to SQL Server Replication - Level 7: Merge Replication – Subscription

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 07:00:00 UT

This level of the Stairway will cover the details of SQL Server transactional and merge replication, from understanding the basic terminology and methodology of setting up replication, to describing how it works and how the basic replication processes can be monitored.

Do you know your getdate()?

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 07:00:00 UT

This article takes a closer look at SQL Server getdate() and sysdatetime() functions.

Registration for SQL Bits X is now open

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 07:00:00 UT

If you will be in London on Mar 29th, come to the official UK launch of SQL Server 2012 at SQL Bits X.

A Computed Column Defined with a User-Defined Function Might Impact Query Performance

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 07:00:00 UT

A benefit of using computed columns is that they can save developers from having to write calculation logic at the application layer; at the table level, the application can simply reference the computed column. In addition, performance can be improved by persisting a computed column and building an index on it.

Twist in ISNULL function

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 07:00:00 UT

Be careful while using the ISNULL function

Raw Materials - Refugees

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 07:00:00 UT

Why are they here? Why is anyone?

Post a Twitter Status Update using T-SQL

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 07:00:00 UT

Learn how to post a Twitter status update with 5 lines of T-SQL using a third party library.

Confessions of a DBA: My Worst Mistake

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 07:00:00 UT

To kick off a series of DBA worst case scenarios, we asked Phil Factor to confess. He came up with a classic: The mistaken belief that a backup WITH CHECKSUM guaranteed a good backup that could be restored, and the ensuing disaster.

Stairway to SQL Server Indexes: Level 11, Index Fragmentation

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 07:00:00 UT

Internal and external fragmentation – Causes, cures, and when not to care

Learn about SQL Server 2012 in the desert

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 07:00:00 UT

Come see Brad McGehee, Grant Fritchey, Steve Jones, and more SQL Server speakers at the SQL Server Connections conference in Las Vegas this spring. Get away from the cold on Mar 26, 2011 and learn about the new version of SQL Server.

Get Alerts for Specific SQL Server Login Failed Events

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 07:00:00 UT

In a recent MSSQLTips.com question, a user asked how they could get an alert whenever a login failed due to the account being locked out. As with many problems, there are several ways to solve this issue.

Fun with sp_executeSQL

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 07:00:00 UT

Switching from 32 BIT SQL Server to a 64 BIT edition illustrates how removing a bottleneck from a system can have a detrimental affect overall

SQL Saturday Precon - SSIS Design Patterns

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 07:00:00 UT

SQL Saturday is hitting Dublin for the first time on March 24th.

Raw Materials - Healthy Caution or... Something Else?

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 07:00:00 UT

Derek slips a cog.

SQL Server 2008 and 2008 R2 Integration Services - Sampling Transformations

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 07:00:00 UT

Row Sampling Transformation and Percentage Sampling Transformation provide data sampling functionality. This functionality is useful in a number of Analysis Services and Data Mining-based scenarios.

SQL Server Log Shipping Between Standalone\Workgroup Computers

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 07:00:00 UT

This article describes the requirements to log ship databases between workgroup computers

Come to see the SQL Server 2012 Launch at DevConnections

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 07:00:00 UT

On Mar 26-29 in Las Vegas, the DevConnections conference is hosting a launch of SQL Server 2012. Come to the conference and learn more at the SQLServerCentral track.

Indexing - Take the Hint and Leave it to the Experts

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 07:00:00 UT

The most common T-SQL command in use has to be the SELECT statement, it is the bedrock of any SQL Professional's day. Sometimes it's used to snatch some data from a table or two while some quick investigation is done, other times it is at the heart of a stored procedure or view that will inform business decisions for coming months or even years.

Stairway to Transaction Log Management in SQL Server, Level 5: Managing the Log in Full Recovery Mode

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 07:00:00 UT

In FULL recovery mode it is possible to do a point-in-time restore of a database. It is thankfully a rare event. Tony explains what's involved

Solving the Running Total and Ordinal Rank Problems (Rewritten)

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 07:00:00 UT

Revisiting his very popular article on the running total and ordinal rank problems, MVP Jeff Moden brings us a detailed analysis of how you might want to implement a solution in T-SQL.

Cumulative Aggregates in SQL Server Reporting Services

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 07:00:00 UT

In this tip, we will see how to build a report which shows the cumulative sales amount for the current month, current quarter (QTD) and current year (YTD) in a single crosstab (tablix) report, which makes it easy to compare the data.