Greg Larsen explores the new SQL Server 2012 date and time functions and shows you how to exploit these functions in new application code.  Read more...

A list of the builds of SQL Server 2012 through CU#5 for SP1.  Read more...

There are several different ways of restricting access to SSIS packages and confidential information they contain. However, preventing unauthorized users from running or viewing the content of your code is not the only security measure that you should take into consideration.   Read more...

The error handling of SQL Server has always been somewhat mysterious. Now at last, the THROW statement has been included in SQL Server 2012 that, when combined with the TRY...CATCH block, makes error handling far easier. Robert Sheldon explains all.  Read more...

My organization is looking at SQL Server 2012 and I know that the ability to create roles at the server level is a new feature. Since this is new and impacts security, how do I handle them and how do I audit them?  Read more...

SQL Server Failover Clustering, which includes support for both local and multisite failover configurations, is part of the SQL Server 2012 AlwaysOn implementation suite, designed to provide high availability and disaster recovery for SQL Server. The multisite failover clustering technology has been enhanced significantly in SQL Server 2012. The multisite failover cluster architecture, enhancements in SQL Server 2012 to the technology, and some best practices to help with deployment of the technology are the primary focus of this paper.  Read more...

A list of the builds of SQL Server 2012 through CU#5 for SP1.  Read more...

This white paper describes how to export master data from Microsoft SQL Server Master Data Services (MDS) using a subscription view, and how to import the master data into an external system using SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS). The white paper provides a step-by-step sample for creating a subscription view and an SSIS package.  Read more...

Column Store Index, a new feature in SQL Server 2012, improves performance of data warehouse queries several folds. Arshad Ali shows you how to create column store index, and how to use index query hint to include or exclude a column store index.  Read more...

Learn how to apply the tracing functionality in Microsoft data access technologies such as ADO.NET 2.0, MDAC 2.82, SQL Server Native Client, and the JDBC driver; and in the SQL Server network protocols and the Microsoft SQL Server database engine.  Read more...

Learn about this new feature in SQL Server 2012 and how to move your binary data.  Read more...

This white paper provides practical guidance to help BI professionals and decision makers decide whether SQL Server 2012 Analysis Services tabular or multidimensional modeling provides the best fit for your next BI solution.  Read more...

Having finally got around to upgrading my custom components to SQL Server 2012, I thought I’d share some notes on the process. One of the goals was minimal duplication, so the same code files are used to build the 2008 and 2012 components, I just have a separate project file.   Read more...

In the SQL Server 2012 execution plan we can see better the true thread reservations for a query and not just information on the maximum degree of parallelism and row distribution across parallel threads; thanks to the new parallel thread usage information.  Read more...

The aim of the new Database Recovery Advisor in SQL Server 2012 is to simplify the task of piecing together a recovery sequence from multiple backup files, comprising full, differential, and log backups. In this article, I'll demonstrate how the tool makes it easier to plan for, and perform, a point in time recovery from a series of backups, in order to recover data that may have been lost due to an application bug, or user error.  Read more...

SQL Server 2012 came with bells and whistles for service broker, that give you plenty reasons to start using service broker in your applications.  Read more...

Occasionally, a DBA may need to restore a database from a multiple backup files that originated from multiple servers. This requirement might arise, for example, in a database-mirroring configuration, where backups may be from either of the servers.  Read more...

A callout text box outside the map area would help to enhance the visual effect of presenting data in reporting services.  Read more...

An attempt to use Ordanance Survey OS Open Data, SQL Server and SharePoint in the construction of a system for supermarkets to supply expiring food to nearby homeless shelters.   Read more...

The Database Recovery Advisor in SQL Server 2012 will aid the ability of DBAs to recover their databases to a point in time in a crisis. Read about this new feature and how it can speed the process of recovery.  Read more...