SQL 2008 SP/CU Patching Through Windows Scheduled Tasks
Automate patch installations using the task scheduler and command line hotfix options for SQL.
2011-05-03
4,705 reads
Articles
SQL Server Foreign Key Update and Delete Rules
Foreign key constraints are an integral part of SQL Server database design. These are used to maintain integrity among related data in different tables. While implementing update and delete operations on values in the parent table (referenced table with primary key) we have to consider the impact on related values in the child table. SQL Server provides different rules for managing the effect of updates and deletes on child table values. How can these rules be used effectively without threatening the relational integrity?
2011-05-03
4,940 reads
TSQL Challenge 55 - Multiply two very long decimal strings and return
This challenge to multiply two positive integer strings and return their product. The strings can be really long: up to 1024 digits
2011-05-02
1,308 reads
Performing DBCC Checks Using SQL Virtual Restore
Ever restored a corrupted database from the backup, only to find that the backups are corrupted too - All the backups? Sure it can happen and it isn't nice when it does. To check that a database backup is internally consistent you have to use DBCC CheckDB. On a huge highly-loaded live system? Grant Fritchey has, as usual, a practical solution.
2011-05-02
3,896 reads
SQL Diag Configuration Tool
SQL Diag is a very useful diagnostic tool that will help capture performance information from SQL Server. This tool is shipped with the SQL Server product. Howerver there is not an easy way to configure the tool - it requires the hand editing of an XML file, which is tedious and error prone. That is until now!
SQL Diag Configuration Tool (SDCT) is an intuitive, easy to use tool that will read existing sqldiag.xml configuration files, allow you to select your desired options and save those options to a new file.
2011-04-29
3,589 reads
SSIS Event Handlers Basics
SSIS event handlers are the simplest means of turning an SSIS script into a reliable system that is auditable, reacts appropriately to error conditions, reports progress and allows instrumentation and monitoring your SSIS packages. They are easy to implement, and provide a great deal of flexibility. Rob Sheldon once again provides the easy, clear introduction.
2011-04-29
4,017 reads
SQL Server 2008 Installation Issues - Issues and Workarounds
MVP Robert Pearl explains how to get around some common issues that might occur when installing SQL Server 2008 on Windows 7.
2011-04-28
7,386 reads
Check your Digits
The most persistent struggle in data processing has been to ensure clean data. There are many ways that data can be incorrect and a database must check, as best it can, that the data is correct. The CHECK constraint is ideally suited for this sort of work, and the checking routine can become quite complex when dealing with check digits in data.
2011-04-28
3,328 reads
When a SQL file will not open in SSMS
What happens when double clicking a .SQL file doesn't open the file in SSMS? This article provides the solution to fixing that annoying SSMS issue.
2011-04-27
14,541 reads
Adding Column to a SQL Server Table
This article examines the difference between adding a nullable column to a table or a column with a default value.
2011-04-27
5,393 reads
Blogs
Upgrading SQL Server Containers on the Laptop
By Steve Jones
I don’t have SQL Server installed on my laptop. In an effort to keep...
How to Find Expensive Queries in Amazon Redshift
Slow-running queries can degrade your Redshift cluster’s performance and lead to increased costs. Identifying...
The Notification Trap: How Input Fatigue Is Killing Deep Work in Tech
By gbargsley
If you've been here before, you know this blog is usually about SQL Server,...
Forums
SQL 2019 instance with AG, across 2 Windows 2016 OS servers - OSin-place upgrade
Hi all Can I get some perspective from the community please on performing in-place...
How Long is a Long I/O?
Comments posted to this topic are about the item How Long is a Long...
T-SQL Trigonometric Functions in SQL Server
Comments posted to this topic are about the item T-SQL Trigonometric Functions in SQL...
Question of the Day
How Long is a Long I/O?
In SQL Server 2025, a long I/O is recorded in the error log with message 833. How long much an I/O request be outstanding before this message is written to the log?
See possible answers