Understanding Indexes
This article contains an introduction to SQL Server indexes and how they are used in your queries.
2011-02-15
23,334 reads
Articles
SQL Server: Natural Key Versus Surrogate Key
When designing a database to support applications you need to consider how you are going to handle primary keys. This article explores natural and surrogate keys, and discusses the pros and cons of each, allowing you to determine what makes the best sense in your environment when you are designing your databases.
2011-02-15
5,434 reads
Windows Instant File Initialization and SQL Server
One Windows setting that I think is extremely important for SQL Server usage is the “Perform volume maintenance tasks” right,...
2011-02-15
1,312 reads
An In-Depth Examination of Red Gate SQL Monitor
A review of SQL Monitor, the new DBA utility from Red Gate Software that can help you keep an eye on what your SQL Server instances are doing.
2011-02-14
3,782 reads
Avoid External Dependencies in SQL Server Triggers
I sometimes want to perform auditing or other actions in a trigger based on some criteria. More specifically, there are a few cases that may warrant an e-mail; for example, if a web sale takes place that requires custom or overnight shipping and handling. It is tempting to just add code to the trigger that sends an e-mail when these criteria are met. But this can be problematic for two reasons: (1) your users are waiting for that processing to occur, and (2) if you can't send the e-mail, how do you decide whether or not to roll back the transaction, and how do you bring the problem to the attention of the administrator?
2011-02-14
2,819 reads
SQL Saturday #47 - Phoenix
Come learn about SQL Server in Phoenix on Feb 19, 2011. For free! Spread the word to anyone you know in the area.
2011-02-14 (first published: 2011-02-09)
1,726 reads
Preventing usage of "SELECT *..."
Is there a way to not allow users to use SELECT * in their queries? New author AJ Raghuram has an interesting solution that can prevent this in code.
2011-02-11 (first published: 2009-11-05)
44,407 reads
SQL Server Data Mining with Microsoft Office Excel
This article demonstrates using SQL Server's data mining capabilities with the Excel.
2011-02-11
5,472 reads
SQL University: SQL Server Security Architecture - 3rd Party, Some Options
Day 3 of Security Week at SQL University is now in session. You're implementing a third party solution and you...
2011-02-11
2,330 reads
February 2011 Version of SQL Server 2005 and 2008 Diagnostic Information Queries
Wow, it is already February 2011, so here are the February 2011 versions of the SQL Server 2005 Diagnostic Information...
2011-02-10
2,126 reads
Blogs
RANK() vs DENSE_RANK(): #SQLNewBlogger
By Steve Jones
I haven’t done one of these in awhile, but I saw an article recently...
Using CAT for Testing of Data Agents
In last months one of the scenarios where you can use AI has been...
Forums
Missing the Jaro Winkler Distance
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Missing the Jaro Winkler Distance
25 Years Later: What SQLServerCentral Meant to Me
Comments posted to this topic are about the item 25 Years Later: What SQLServerCentral...
Doing Good at SQL Server Central
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Doing Good at SQL Server...
Question of the Day
Missing the Jaro Winkler Distance
I upgraded a SQL Server 2019 instance to SQL Server 2025. I wanted to test the fuzzy string search functions. I run this code:
SELECT JARO_WINKLER_DISTANCE('tim', 'tom')
I get this error message:Msg 195, Level 15, State 10, Line 1 'JARO_WINKLER_DISTANCE' is not a recognized built-in function name.What is wrong? See possible answers