call.copse (11/1/2011)
I occassionally use an EAV type thing for very limited cases (storing central control variables that may vary by territory say) - is SQL_VARIANT a good move for storing these, where it may be text numbers or dates? I've tended to just use nvarchar(MAX) before and convert as needed.For the UNPIVOT this would be for normalising some data perhaps for import purposes? I'm just struggling to come up with a use for this SQL_VARIANT chappy.
SQL_VARIANT might be a good choice; after all it was added as a popular user-requested feature for EAV scenarios. It can make some EAV things a lot neater and easier, and there are other language features like SQL_VARIANT_PROPERTY that support this sort of use. Many people find using NVARCHAR(MAX) feels clunky in comparison (and downright awkward if you need to store different collations as in the example given in the question). The various pros and cons are way too much to get into detail with, but it's definitely something to familiarize yourself with, like other new-ish things in the same area like SPARSE columns.
Paul White
SQLPerformance.com
SQLkiwi blog
@SQL_Kiwi