Speeding up the Performance of Table Counts in SQL Server 2005
This article describes how the Object Catalog Views can be used to determine the number of rows in a table
2008-09-29
3,623 reads
Additional Articles
Cryptography in SQL Server
This white paper presents an overview of cryptographic functionality and discusses how this applies to authentication, signed procedures, permissions, and encryption. Because the target audience is the database professional and not necessarily security experts, the focus is on practical ways to use cryptography in SQL Server.
2008-09-26
3,859 reads
SQL Server database design disasters: What not to do
Inspired by what he recently found in some SQL Server shops, database architect Brian Walker shares advice for improved database design – and SQL Server performance.
2008-09-26
5,999 reads
Check your SQL Server using Windows PowerShell – Part 5
This fifth installment of the “Check your SQL Server using Windows PowerShell” series illustrates how to access SQL Server instance properties and SQL Server configuration details using Windows PowerShell.
2008-09-25
2,762 reads
The Baker's Dozen: 13 Tips for SQL Server 2008 and SSRS 2008
SQL Server 2008 gets new developer features, and SQL Server 2008 Reporting Services gets a facelift and new architecture that no longer requires Internet Information Services.
2008-09-25
3,509 reads
Changing the default SQL Server backup folder
Is it possible to change the default directory for backups, so it does not need to be specified each time I run a backup?
2008-09-24
4,477 reads
Faking Arrays in Transact SQL
It is a simple routine that we all need to use occasionally; parsing a delimited list of strings in TSQL. In a perfect relational world, it isn't necessary, but real-world data often comes in a form that requires one of the surprising variety of routines that Anith Sen describes, along with sage advice about their use.
2008-09-24
5,751 reads
Intrinsic Member Properties: The MEMBER_VALUE Property
MSAS Architect Bill Pearson leads hands-on exercises providing exposure to the use of the MEMBER_VALUE intrinsic member property. Join us in generating simple lists, as well as datasets to support report parameter picklists.
2008-09-23
2,026 reads
Scheduling Jobs in SQL Server Express
As we all know SQL Server 2005 Express is a very powerful free edition of SQL Server 2005. However it does not contain SQL Server Agent service. Because of this scheduling jobs is not possible. So if we want to do this we have to install a free or commercial 3rd party product. This usually isn't allowed due to the security policies of many hosting companies and thus presents a problem. Maybe we want to schedule daily backups, database reindexing, statistics updating, etc. This is why I wanted to have a solution based only on SQL Server 2005 Express and not dependent on the hosting company. And of course there is one based on our old friend the Service Broker.
2008-09-23
3,241 reads
Kalen Delaney: Geek of the Week
Kalen Delaney has been involved in SQL Server from the beginning. Her talks and her writings are always interesting but, most important of all, she was able to successfully take on authorship of the 'Inside SQL Server' series of books from Ron Soukup, and make them her own. Despite her own protests that she is a trainer first and foremost, she richly deserves our accolade of 'Geek of the Week'.
2008-09-22
2,473 reads
Blogs
Microsoft announces new cybersecurity AI multi-model
By Brian Kelley
Yesterday, July 27, 2026, Microsoft announced a new cybersecurity effort called Project Perception. Included...
Getting the SQL Server MCP Server Running
By Steve Jones
If you’ve wanted a SQL Server MCP server for your databases, it’s available. The...
Introducing azsql-migration-test: Test and Validate Azure SQL Database Migrations
Introducing azsql-migration-test, a small open-source CLI that validates your Azure SQL Database migrations against...
Forums
Symmetric Key Encryption
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Symmetric Key Encryption
The “Successful Login” Dilemma: Why Your Login Auditing Strategy Might Be Hurting Your Server
Comments posted to this topic are about the item The “Successful Login” Dilemma: Why...
Building Your Own Software
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Building Your Own Software
Question of the Day
Symmetric Key Encryption
If I run this statement in SQL Server 2025, how is the password encrypted?
CREATE SYMMETRIC KEY MySymmetricKey WITH ALGORITHM = AES_256, KEY_SOURCE = 'My secret key source passphrase', IDENTITY_VALUE = 'My secret identity value' ENCRYPTION BY PASSWORD = 'S&perS#cretP@ssword7'; GOSee possible answers