SQL Server differences of char, nchar, varchar and nvarchar data types
Sherlee Dizon looks at the basic differences between char, nchar, varchar, and nvarchar, as well as what to be aware of when using each data type.
2016-07-21
5,665 reads
Articles
Using SQL Compare with Dynamic Data Masking
Dynamic Data Masking is an exciting new feature in SQL Server 2016, allowing DBAs to centrally set a mask that is returned for a table column instead of the actual data, limiting what information is returned to certain users in a consistent and reliable way. What’s more, Redgate SQL Compare safely and reliably handles your DDM changes. Data Platform MVP Steve Jones explains more.
2016-07-21
3,492 reads
Number of Rows Read / Actual Rows Read warnings in Plan Explorer
Rob Farley looks at information exposed in query plans about residual predicates and actual rows read, showing how Plan Explorer helps identify the issue.
2016-07-20
3,121 reads
Planning for a Successful Database Lifecycle
Although it is well-known that the best efforts of a development team can be derailed by mistakes in the architecture, design and general governance of a development project, few attempts have been made to describe what needs to be done to increase the chances of success in the development of a database application. William Brewer steps into the breach to itemise what a delivery team needs to succeed.
2016-07-19
4,978 reads
Delivering Rapid Improvements to SSMS
SSMS has spent years being neglected, merely being kept compatible with SQL Server and its features: But now we have, instead, the promise of monthly delivery of new functionality
2016-07-18
51 reads
SQL Authentication Via AD Groups Part III: What About Orphaned Users?
With AD Authentication via groups, SQL Server is vulnerable to orphaned Windows users' logins being added to SQL Server at a later date. This article gives an improved user audit script that detects orphaned DB Users and also a delete script.
2016-07-18
2,987 reads
Encrypting and Decrypting SQL Server Stored Procedures, Views and User-Defined Functions
You work in a shop that puts business or application logic in SQL Server using stored procedures, views and functions to return values to the calling applications or perform tasks. This is not unusual for companies that use the SQL Server layer to perform
2016-07-18
3,614 reads
SQL Server 2016 - what's changed in the SQL Toolbelt?
Over recent months, Redgate’s development teams have been busy updating the tools in the SQL Toolbelt to support the valuable new functionality released with SQL Server 2016. To achieve this, most tools now support the syntax for SQL Server 2016’s key features, letting you do even more with them. Learn mor.
2016-07-18
3,566 reads
A Happy Birthday Present from Minionware
The Midnight DBAs and Minionware are having a birthday celebration. You can get your present of a free license today only.
2016-07-15
4,085 reads
SQL Server 2016 Temporal Table Query Plan Behaviour
For this month's T-SQL Tuesday, Rob Farley takes a look at a couple of unexpected aspects of query plans you might observe when using Temporal Tables in SQL Server 2016.
2016-07-15
3,095 reads
Blogs
The Book of Redgate: Spread across the world
By Steve Jones
This was Redgate in 2010, spread across the globe. First the EU/US Here’s Asia...
Merry Christmas
By John
Today is Christmas and while I do not expect anybody to actual be reading...
Self-Hosting a Photo Server the Whole Family Can Use
By Bert Wagner
Until recently, my family's 90,000+ photos have been hidden away in the depths of...
Forums
Happy Holidays, Let's Do Nerdy Stuff
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Happy Holidays, Let's Do Nerdy...
UNISTR Escape
Comments posted to this topic are about the item UNISTR Escape
Celebrating Tomorrow
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Celebrating Tomorrow
Question of the Day
UNISTR Escape
In SQL Server 2025, I run this command:
SELECT UNISTR('*3041*308A*304C\3068 and good night', '*') as "A Classic";
What is returned? (assume the database has an appropriate collation)
A: 
B: 
C: 
See possible answers