Relational Datbases have tables as data structures, not arrays. This makes it tricky and slow to do matrix operations, but it doesn't mean it is impossible to do. Joe gives the Celko Slant on how to go about doing Matrix Math in SQL.  Read more...

This article will demonstrate a method of creating an Excel-based CPU/scheduler performance dashboard for SQL Server 2005+.  Read more...

Most common monitoring metrics are important and useful, especially over time, but they can fall short. How do you gather information to determine, for example, if you have buffer cache pressure? Register now for the free webinar. Wednesday, October 17 2012 4:00pm - 5:00pm BST  Read more...

As the SQL Developer community grows to embrace the benefits of test-driven development for databases, so the importance of learning to do it properly increases. One way of learning effective TDD is by the use of code kata – short practice sessions that encourage test-first development in baby steps. I have a limited number of licences for SQL Test to give away free – just for practicing a bit of TDD and telling me about it.  Read more...

Level 9 of the Stairway to Integration Services looks at control flow tasks and error handling.  Read more...

Start the week in Seattle off with a free day of training on Nov 5, 2012 with SQL in the City. Grant Fritchey, Steve Jones and more will be talking SQL Server in the Pacific Northwest. Join us and debate and discuss SQL Server the Red Gate Way.  Read more...

I want to backup my SQL Server databases to a folder, but I want to minimize who has access to the folder. In other words, I want to make sure that members of the Windows Local Administrators group don't get to the backups without intentionally trying to bypass the security. How do I do that?   Read more...

I need to create views? How many? Today? This article talks about a few issues with using views too extensively in your design.  Read more...

There is a lot that can be done to make basic tabular reports more readable, using Microsoft's free Report Builder. Rob Sheldon continues his exploration of the power of this tool by showing how to format various elements within reports  Read more...

You can enforce the validation of an XML data type, variable or column by associating it with an XML Schema Collection. SQL Server validates a typed XML value against the rules defined in the schema collection so that INSERT or UPDATE operations will succeed only if the value being inserted or updated is valid as per the rules defined in the Schema Collection.  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...

In this article, we provide a simple way to get a comma delimited list from a table of entries without having to use a CURSOR or a WHILE loop to read through the table.  Read more...

A short interview with Sundar Raghavan of Amazon Web Services about SQL Server and their support and offerings of cloud data services.  Read more...

This article details how to reinitialise a Log Shipping scenario from a primary differential backup  Read more...

Win one of two $50 Amazon vouchers by entering our database management survey. We’re finding out more about how SQL database professionals are doing backup and recovery, using cloud services and more. Answer the short survey for a chance to win.  Read more...

The tSQLt framework is a great way of writing unit tests in the same language as the one being tested, but there are some 'Gotchas' that can catch you out. Dave Green lists a few tips he wished he'd read beforehand.  Read more...

Jonathan Lewis (Oracle Ace Director, OakTable Network) and Grant Fritchey (Microsoft SQL Server MVP) will host a live discussion on Oracle and SQL Server, this time in relation to temporary tables.  Read more...