This paper summarizes the different ways that developers can integrate SQL Server 2005 Reporting Services capabilities in their applications.  Read more...

Part 2 of new T-SQL enhancements from Srinivas Sampath. SQL Server 2005 contains a number of enhancements designed to allow you to write more powerful queries while keeping the code structured in a way that makes development and understanding it easier. Building on his first look at Common Table Expressions, Srinivas now looks at recursive queries with CTEs.   Read more...

Business Intelligence Architect Bill Pearson continues his examination of MDX functions, this time introducing StripCalculatedMembers(). In this article, we expose the function, and then lead a hands-on practice session with examples that reinforce the concepts.  Read more...

Continuing with his series on Alias Data Types in SQL Server 2000, Yakov Shmalfman brings us part 5, looking at indexes.  Read more...

A new tool from Red Gate software that helps you generate realistic test data for testing your SQL Server applications.  Read more...

One of the four high availability technologies in SQL Server is replication, though this can be very cumbersome to setup and get working. Longtime author Paul Ibison looks at how this has changed from SQL Server 2000 to 2005 and what you should consider before setting this up.  Read more...

Coming in May is a free one day event in Jacksonville, FL.  Read more...

Continuing on with his series on building a game in SQL Server, Steve Fibich expands the schema and objects in this article.  Read more...

A short review from the perspective of a web hoster on this handy software utility.  Read more...

An interesting script to handle file tasks from within SQL Server.  Read more...

My company is just starting to look at adding functionality to retain historical data for key tables and columns for auditing purposes in many of our SQL Server databases. I have seen some of your recent tips related to triggers (Forcing Trigger Firing Order in SQL Server and Trigger Alternatives in SQL Server - OUTPUT Clause). Based on using triggers or a similar technology, what is the best way to store the historical data?  Read more...

QL 2005 adds two new methods – signing with certificates and impersonation with EXECUTE AS – that can manage cases where the classic method of ownership chaining fails. I explain the two new methods, as well as the old one, and warns you about the pitfalls.  Read more...

A few notes from a consulting engagement that might get you to think about what to expect from your next contractors.  Read more...

This article helps the DBA find and fix issues quickly by creating a DBA Morning Checklist.  Read more...

It has come to my attention that some of our MSDB databases are getting what I would consider large for a system database. Some of our MSDB databases are over 2 GB which is a little perplexing because I know we do not create any user defined objects in that database. Can you give me some insight into the issue? I know we have this issue with both SQL Server 2000 and 2005 instances.  Read more...

Part 4 of this series focuses on storing BLOBs on the Windows File System and using Microsoft SQL Server to organize them from a web page.  Read more...

Register for the 2008 PASS Summit in November today and save! Use our code when you register and attend our opening night reception.  Read more...