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SQL Server User-Defined Functions

User-Defined Functions (UDFs) are an essential part of the database developers' armoury. They are extraordinarily versatile, but just because you can even use scalar UDFs in WHERE clauses, computed columns and check constraints doesn't mean that you should. Multi-statement UDFs come at a cost and it is good to understand all the restrictions and potential drawbacks. Phil Factor gives an overview of User-defined functions: their virtues, vices and their syntax.

2017-07-21

5,686 reads

External Article

Simple SQL: Attribute Splitting

If the design of a relational database is wrong, no amount of clever DML SQL will make it work well. Dr. Codd’s Information Principle is that you have, inside the entity tables, the columns that model the attributes of that entity. The columns contain scalar values. Tables that model relationships can have attributes, but they must have references to entities in the schema. You split those attributes at your peril. Joe Celko explains the basics.

2017-07-18

3,822 reads

External Article

Continuous Database Deployment with Confidence

To achieve gains from Database Lifecycle Management in general, and in Continuous Deployment in particular, it pays to aim for lightweight but consistent techniques and processes, refining them iteratively in the light of experience. Edward Elliott describes a Test-driven development process for developing SQL Server databases that worked for CD, based on a series of steps. Though the tools for CD may be necessary, they are not sufficient, without an effective structured process.

2017-07-11

3,560 reads

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Question of the Day

A Quick Restore

While doing some testing of an application, I wanted to reset my environment after doing some testing with this code: 

USE DNRTest

BACKUP DATABASE DNRTest TO DISK = 'dnrtest.bak'
GO
/*
Bunch of stuff tested here
*/RESTORE DATABASE DNRTest FROM DISK = 'dnrtest.bak' WITH REPLACE
What happens if this runs, assuming the "bunch of stuff" isn't anything affecting the instance.

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