Using Script Task in SSIS to resolve problem of NULL values loaded from Excel.  Read more...

Greg Larsen looks at one way to design your database connection strategy to simplify changing application connections so you can plug-n-play databases with less administrative overhead when the need arises.  Read more...

Along with some best practices, SQL Server MVP Hilary Cotter shares a log shipping setup process from start to finish.   Read more...

This white paper introduces Microsoft SQL Server developers to the international features of Microsoft SQL Server 2005. Topics covered include an explanation of Unicode, added support for supplementary characters in SQL Server 2005, the changes in collation in different versions of SQL Server, changes in data types, performance, updates on data providers, and new international support features in SQL Server 2005 Analysis Services and Integration Services.  Read more...

Free SQL Server 2000 Encryption for your data!!! Author Michael Coles has put together a tolljit and some XPs that you can use to encrypt your data with the Blowfish algorithm. It is hard to write good applications that encrpyt data and manage the keys and security. This will give you a great headstart on protecting your data.   Read more...

In which Phil takes a break from a tedious bit of routine coding to build a Spam Filter in SQL.  Read more...

Use XQuery scripting language to retrieve specific XML data type values in SQL Server. Learn to script and use Value() and Query() to retrieve single and multiple XML values.  Read more...

Measure Latencies in Replication implemented using SQL Server 2005  Read more...

This article illustrates the functionality of UPSERT via the MERGE command in SQL Server 2008.  Read more...

In Reporting Services in SQL Server 2005 there are several ways of achieving the same result. This article introduces how we can create the same report using several different methods.  Read more...

Build List Updated with Cumulative Update 7 for SP2.   Read more...

Send SQL query results as HTML-formatted e-mail using SQL Server Integration Services.  Read more...

One of the issues I have is that the SQL Server Error Log is quite large and it is not always easy to view the contents with the Log File Viewer. In a previous tip "Simple way to find errors in SQL Server error log" you discussed a method of searching the error log using VBScript. Are there any other easy ways to search and find errors in the error log files?  Read more...

Along with some best practices, SQL Server MVP Hilary Cotter shares a log shipping setup process from start to finish.   Read more...

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

Robyn and Phil go back to basics and hammer out some basic String-handling User Functions in TSQL, based on Python examples. Plenty of sample code, and TSQL programming tricks.  Read more...

A different way for file handling through SQL Server.  Read more...

New author Jack Corbett brings us a look at a way of finding out what caused your error in Integration Services.  Read more...

We have been discussing SQL Server 2005 Express Edition replication-specific features, investigating authentication mechanisms that are available in order to accommodate connection attempts from remote clients interacting with SQL Server-based distributor via Internet Information Services. We will continue coverage of this topic here.  Read more...

Gaining insight into my SQL Server standard and Windows logins has historically been a challenge in terms of determining password changes, failed login attempts, etc. I have noticed that you have experienced the same issue with your tip entitled 'When was the last time the SQL Server sa password changed' and I have noticed some information in the forums on the topic as well.   Read more...