Comparing SQL Server constraints and DML triggers
Over the years, I have witnessed many developers being confused about when to use data-manipulation language (DML) triggers vs. when to use constraints.
2008-07-23
2,759 reads
Additional Articles
How to use ranking functions in SQL Server 2005
With ranking functions in SQL Server 2005, you can rank rows in result sets. This tip defines rank functions and gives examples of how to use the four available functions.
2008-07-22
5,594 reads
SQL Server Audit in SQL Server 2008 – Part 2
Learn how to monitor database-level actions and write audit results to files.
2008-07-22
2,557 reads
How to Track Down Deadlocks Using SQL Server 2005 Profiler
It is irritating, sometimes alarming, for the user to be confronted by the 'deadlock message' when a deadlock happens. It can be a tiresome business to prevent them from occurring in applications. Fortunately, the profiler can be used to help DBAs identify how deadlocking problems happen, and indicate the best way of minimising the likelihood of their reappearance.
2008-07-21
5,295 reads
T-SQL Function to Determine Holidays in SQL Server
While working on a project recently I was asked to develop a mechanism that would provide the dates for state and federal holidays in a given year. Since this project deals with all states and territories of the United States, the list had to be comprehensive and the client asked that this list be in the form of a SQL query calculated on-the-fly, rather than a static list.
2008-07-21
5,482 reads
Avoid Untrusted Constraints in SQL Server
Some time ago, I loaded a large set of data into one my tables. To speed up the load, I disabled the FOREIGN KEY and CHECK constraints on the table and then re-enabled them after the load was complete. I am now finding that some of the loaded data was referentially invalid. What happened?
2008-07-18
3,000 reads
Migrating from Business Objects Crystal Reports to SQL Server 2005 Reporting Services
This document assists Crystal Report designers with migrating to Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Reporting Services using a step-by-step migration strategy.
2008-07-18
3,526 reads
SQL Server 2005 Express Edition - Part 26 - Introduction to Service Broker
This article is a brief overview of Service Broker's core features, which are available (in a somewhat limited capacity) in SQL Server 2005 Express Edition. The next installment will describe a sample application illustrating its operations and discuss its management, security, and routing characteristics.
2008-07-17
2,448 reads
A Generic Histogram Generator for SQL Server
Histograms help people analyze large amounts of data, whether you display them as tables or as charts. This article shows you how to do both.
2008-07-16
3,216 reads
Dynamically controlling the number of rows affected by a SQL Server query
One thing you may need to do is dynamically return a set amount of rows based on user input. This could be for a search function, reports, dropdown lists or whatever. Instead of hard coding a set value you would like to pass in a variable that will then determine the number of rows to return. How can this be done with T-SQL?
2008-07-16
4,539 reads
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Querying Multiple Tables for the Same Information
I have about 100 Tables that are all suffixed with _Modify. These tables record...
Make It Routine
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Finding Gaps in Sequential Data Using SQL Server
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Question of the Day
Negative and Positive Numbers
If I want to know whether a number of negative, positive, or zero, what is the easiest way to get this in T-SQL?
See possible answers