What are the benefits of Effective Dating and what problems does it solve?  Read more...

This article discusses different ways to query multiple databases and shows a simple, web-based tool I've created and routinely use for those SaaS-style web applications I work on that use separate databases to store different customer data. Read on to learn more!   Read more...

The second article in our series about designing multi-tenant applications identifies three distinct approaches for creating data architectures.  Read more...

The key to working with null values properly is to accommodate them consistently. Learn a few tricks that will help you do just that.   Read more...

Perhaps we need to protect more data, according to Steve Jones. With the ability to identify most people with 10 digits of information, Steve Jones asks you to really think about what you need to store.  Read more...

Perhaps we need to protect more data, according to Steve Jones. With the ability to identify most people with 10 digits of information, Steve Jones asks you to really think about what you need to store.  Read more...

Perhaps we need to protect more data, according to Steve Jones. With the ability to identify most people with 10 digits of information, Steve Jones asks you to really think about what you need to store.  Read more...

Perhaps we need to protect more data, according to Steve Jones. With the ability to identify most people with 10 digits of information, Steve Jones asks you to really think about what you need to store.  Read more...

Full/partial schema refreshes across environments are a regular requirement in databases. This article builds on a previous article, providing scripts to disable and re-enable foreign key constraints on all of the tables in a schema.  Read more...

You've probably all noticed a change since SQL Server 2000 with respect to objects: formerly DB.ObjectOwner.Object ,  Read more...

A forum posting, from someone who wanted a better solution to the common problem of handling global settings in a database, leads Joe Celko into a fascinating discussion of the ramifications of the various solutions.  Read more...

In this next installment of his series on TDD, MVP Andy Leonard continues the development of his database.  Read more...

Follow the rules to ensure granular data, flexibility and a future-proofed information resource. Break the rules and you'll confuse users and run into data warehousing brick walls.  Read more...

When discussing the normalisation process, it is always the First Normal Form that causes the most grief and confusion. Anith Sen takes up the challenge to explain, in simple terms, exactly what the First Normal Form really is, and why it is so important for Database Design. Along the way, he dispels some of the myths that have grown up around 1NF.  Read more...

Too many authors in the field of relational theory have neglected the concept of Cardinal Reciprocity. This can cause a number of subtle problems with database design in terms of its derivability, redundancy, and consistency. . Increasingly, this little-understood aspect of relational theory, that emphasises the cardinality of the attributes of tuples in a relation and the reciprocity with isomorphic foreign key restraints, is becoming a hot forum topic.  Read more...

When moving data in related tables between databases, the order sometimes matters. New author Glen Cooper brings us an article that discusses the issues in maintaining referential integrity.  Read more...

A preliminary look at the data model for SSDS.  Read more...

Adding a field to a database table is sometimes not as simple as it may seem. If certain situations are not considered when adding fields, you may find yourself looking at some long nights fixing database code. Today, database consultant Tim Chapman looks at two such scenarios, and how you can plan for their occurrence.  Read more...

When creating tables it is difficult to determine exactly how the data will be accessed. Therefore when clustered indexes are chosen they are often just the ID column that makes the row unique. This may be a good choice, but once the application has been used and data access statistics are available you may need to go back and make some adjustments to your tables to ensure your clustered indexes are providing a benefit and not a drain on your applications.   Read more...

Maintaining a database often means schema changes. Before you change or delete anything, be sure to check for dependent objects.  Read more...

The key to working with null values properly is to accommodate them consistently. Learn a few tricks that will help you do just that.   Read more...

Follow the rules to ensure granular data, flexibility and a future-proofed information resource. Break the rules and you'll confuse users and run into data warehousing brick walls.  Read more...

When discussing the normalisation process, it is always the First Normal Form that causes the most grief and confusion. Anith Sen takes up the challenge to explain, in simple terms, exactly what the First Normal Form really is, and why it is so important for Database Design. Along the way, he dispels some of the myths that have grown up around 1NF.  Read more...